Today is the 286th day of 2014 and the 22nd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was ceremonially laid.

In 1845, Texas ratified a state constitution.

In 1943, Italy declared war on Germany, its former Axis ally.

In 1970, the People's Republic of China and Canada announced they would establish diplomatic relations, prompting Taiwan to break ties with Canada.

In 2010, 33 miners who survived 69 days underground after a mining accident in Copiapo, Chile, were rescued.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), comedian; Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013), British prime minister; Paul Simon (1941- ), singer-songwriter; Jerry Jones (1942- ), Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager; Sammy Hagar (1947- ), singer-songwriter; Marie Osmond (1959- ), singer/actress; Ari Fleischer (1960- ), journalist; Jerry Rice (1962- ), football player; Kate Walsh (1967- ), actress; Nancy Kerrigan (1969- ), figure skater, Sacha Baron Cohen (1971- ), comedian/actor; Matt Hughes (1973- ), mixed martial artist; Paul Pierce (1977- ), basketball player.

TODAY'S FACT: The White House has 132 rooms, including three kitchens and 35 bathrooms.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1998, the first two weeks of the upcoming NBA season were canceled due to a labor dispute.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end." -- Margaret Thatcher

TODAY'S NUMBER: 1.36 billion -- population of the People's Republic of China, as of mid-2014.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Oct. 8) and last quarter moon (Oct. 15).

Today is the 285th day of 2014 and the 21st day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1492, explorer Christopher Columbus' expedition made landfall in the Bahamas.

In 1945, the Allied Control Council in Germany decreed that the Nazi political party be dissolved.

In 1960, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev interrupted a session of the U.N. General Assembly by banging his shoe on a table.

In 2000, a suicide bomb attack on the USS Cole in Yemen killed 17 sailors and wounded 39.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Dick Gregory (1932- ), comedian/author; Tony Kubek (1935- ), broadcaster/baseball player; Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007), opera singer; Chris Wallace (1947- ), TV journalist; Hugh Jackman (1968- ), actor; Kirk Cameron (1970- ), actor; Marion Jones (1975- ), track and field athlete; Bode Miller (1977- ), Olympic skier; Josh Hutcherson (1992- ), actor.

TODAY'S FACT: The United Nations Population Fund estimated that the world's population reached 7 billion at the end of October 2011, but according to U.S. Census Bureau demographers, that number was not reached until four months later.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1982, Paul Molitor had five hits in Game 1 of the World Series, helping the Milwaukee Brewers win 10-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "If they took all the drugs, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine off the market for six days, they'd have to bring out the tanks to control you." -- Dick Gregory

TODAY'S NUMBER: 42 -- the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything, according to Douglas Adams' comedy science fiction novel "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," published on this day in 1979.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Oct. 8) and last quarter moon (Oct. 15).

Today is the 284th day of 2014 and the 20th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1779, Polish nobleman Casimir Pulaski died while fighting for American independence in the Revolutionary War.

In 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution formed.

In 1975, William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Diane Rodham were married.

In 1975, "Saturday Night Live" debuted on NBC.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), first lady/writer/diplomat; Elmore Leonard (1925-2013), novelist; Daryl Hall (1946- ), singer-songwriter; David Morse (1953- ), actor; Steve Young (1961- ), football player; Joan Cusack (1962- ), actress; Artie Lange (1967- ), comedian; Jane Krakowski (1968- ), actress; Emily Deschanel (1976- ), actress; Matthew Bomer (1977- ), actor; Terrell Suggs (1982- ), football player; Michelle Trachtenberg (1985- ), actress; Michelle Wie (1989- ), golfer.

TODAY'S FACT: In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt became the first president (he was a former president at the time) to fly in an airplane, at Kinloch Field in St. Louis. He rode as a passenger for a four-minute flight in a plane built by the Wright Brothers.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1890, John Owens ran the first recorded 100-yard dash that broke 10 seconds.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt, "This Is My Story"

TODAY'S NUMBER: 16 -- "Saturday Night Live" guest host appearances by actor Alec Baldwin, the most ever. Dave Grohl has the most appearances by a musical guest on the show, with 11 appearances as a member of Nirvana, the Foo Fighters and other musical acts.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Oct. 8) and last quarter moon (Oct. 15).