Today is the 321st day of 2014 and the 57th day of autumn.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1800, the United States Congress met for the first time in Washington, D.C., in the unfinished Capitol building.
In 1869, the Suez Canal was officially opened.
In 1871, the National Rifle Association was granted a charter by the state of New York.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy dedicated Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn in as governor of California.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Shelby Foote (1916-2005), author/historian; Rock Hudson (1925-1985), actor; Martin Scorsese (1942- ), film director; Lauren Hutton (1943- ), actress; Danny DeVito (1944- ), actor; Lorne Michaels (1944- ), producer; Howard Dean (1948- ), politician; Stephen Root (1951- ), actor; Jeff Buckley (1966-1997), singer-songwriter; Sophie Marceau (1966- ), actress; Rachel McAdams (1978- ), actress; Reggie Wayne (1978- ), football player; Ryan Braun (1983- ), baseball player; Christopher Paolini (1983- ), writer.
TODAY'S FACT: Congress passed the Height of Buildings Act in 1899, stating that no building in Washington, D.C., could be built taller than 130 feet. (Contrary to popular myth, the Capitol is not mentioned in the legislation.) It was amended in 1910, allowing buildings to be as tall as the width of the adjacent street plus 20 feet.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1968, with about a minute on the clock and the New York Jets leading the Oakland Raiders, 32-29, NBC switched to a scheduled broadcast of "Heidi." Oakland then scored two touchdowns in nine seconds, winning 43-32, as thousands of deprived fans overloaded NBC's switchboard.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "I abhor the idea of a perfect world. It would bore me to tears." -- Shelby Foote
TODAY'S NUMBER: 1,900 -- average number of flight departures and landings at Washington Dulles International Airport on a given day.
TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter moon (Nov. 14) and new moon (Nov. 22).