Today is the 333rd day of 2016 and the 68th day of autumn.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1895, the first automobile race in the United States was held in Chicago.
In 1905, Arthur Griffith formed the Sinn Fein political party, with the goal of independence for all of Ireland.
In 1925, the Grand Ole Opry debuted as the WSM Barn Dance.
In 1995, President Bill Clinton signed legislation repealing the federal 55-mph speed limit.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: William Blake (1757-1827), poet/artist/philosopher; Friedrich Engels (1820-1895), social philosopher; Claude Levi-Strauss (1908-2009), social anthropologist; Berry Gordy Jr. (1929- ), Motown Records founder; Randy Newman (1943- ), composer; Paul Shaffer (1949- ), bandleader; Ed Harris (1950- ), actor; Alfonso Cuaron (1961- ), filmmaker; Jon Stewart (1962- ), TV personality; Karen Gillan (1987- ), actress.
TODAY'S FACT: Berry Gordy Jr. fought 17 times as an amateur and professional boxer, winning 12 bouts, before founding Motown Records (as Tamla Records) in 1959 using an $800 loan from his family.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1979, Billy Smith of the New York Islanders became the first goalie in NHL history to be credited with a goal. After a Colorado Rockies player mistakenly hit the puck into his own team's net, Smith was awarded the goal as the last Islander to touch the puck.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind." -- William Blake
TODAY'S NUMBER: 7 -- Enron's rank among the largest U.S. companies before it went bankrupt in December 2001. Enron stock, which had reached a high of $90 per share in August 2000, plunged below $1 on this day in 2001.
TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter moon (Nov. 21) and new moon (Nov. 29).