Today is the 307th day of 2014 and the 43rd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 carrying a dog named Laika, the first creature to be sent into orbit.

In 1964, residents of Washington, D.C., were eligible to vote in the presidential election for the first time since the city was established in 1800.

In 1971, the first edition of the UNIX operating system's program manual was published.

In 1992, Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent Republican George Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot to win the White House.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878), poet/journalist; Walker Evans (1903-1975), photographer; Charles Bronson (1921-2003), actor; Michael Dukakis (1933- ), politician; Anna Wintour (1949- ), fashion journalist; Roseanne Barr (1952- ), comedian/actress; Kate Capshaw (1953- ), actress; Dennis Miller (1953- ), comedian; Phil Simms (1955- ), football player/sportscaster; Dolph Lundgren (1957- ), actor; Evgeni Plushenko (1982- ), figure skater; Colin Kaepernick (1987- ), football player.

TODAY'S FACT: Though he didn't receive a single electoral vote, third-party candidate Ross Perot won a substantial portion (18.9 percent) of the popular vote nationally in 1992.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1990, quarterbacks David Klingler of Houston and Matt Vogler of Texas Christian University achieved a combined 80 completions and 12 touchdowns in Houston's 56-35 win.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Autumn ... the year's last, loveliest smile." -- William Cullen Bryant

TODAY'S NUMBER: 162 -- days Sputnik 2 was in orbit. Laika, its canine passenger, died within hours of the launch due to overheating.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Oct. 30) and full moon (Nov. 6).

Today is the 306th day of 2014 and the 42nd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1947, designer Howard Hughes piloted his "Spruce Goose," the largest fixed-wing aircraft ever built, on its maiden (and only) flight.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation making the third Monday of January a federal holiday marking the birth of Martin Luther King Jr.

In 2000, the first permanent crew arrived at the International Space Station.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), queen of France; James Polk (1795-1849), 11th U.S. president; Warren G. Harding (1865-1923), 29th U.S. president; Burt Lancaster (1913-1994), actor; Steve Ditko (1927- ), comic-book artist/writer; Pat Buchanan (1938- ), political commentator; k.d. lang (1961- ), singer; David Schwimmer (1966- ), actor; Nelly (1974- ), rapper.

TODAY'S FACT: Jimmy Carter, elected president on this day in 1976, was the first U.S. president from the Deep South since before the Civil War.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1991, down 49-14 in the third quarter against Weber State, the Nevada Wolf Pack football team scored 41 points, winning 55-49 and setting the record for the biggest comeback in NCAA history.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family." -- James Polk

TODAY'S NUMBER: 14 -- age at which Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria married French King Louis XVI and became Marie Antoinette, Dauphine of France.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Oct. 30) and full moon (Nov. 6).

Today is the 305th day of 2014 and the 41st day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1800, John Adams became the first president to reside in the newly constructed "President's House" (later named the White House).

In 1848, the Boston Female Medical School, the first medical school for women, opened.

In 1870, the Weather Bureau (later renamed the National Weather Service) made its first meteorological forecast.

In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty went into effect, formally establishing the European Union.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Stephen Crane (1871-1900), writer; James Kilpatrick (1920-2010), journalist; Gary Player (1935- ), golfer; Lyle Lovett (1957- ), singer-songwriter; Charlie Kaufman (1958- ), screenwriter; Anthony Kiedis (1962- ), singer-songwriter; Toni Collette (1972- ), actress; Jenny McCarthy (1972- ), actress; Logan Marshall-Green (1976- ), actor; Penn Badgley (1986- ), actor.

TODAY'S FACT: John Adams was the only president elected as a member of the Federalist Party.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1959, NHL goalie Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens wore the first goalie facemask, which he designed himself.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "It perhaps might be said -- if anyone dared -- that the most worthless literature of the world has been that which has been written by the men of one nation concerning the men of another." -- Stephen Crane

TODAY'S NUMBER: 35 -- percentage of American physicians and surgeons who are women.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Oct. 30) and full moon (Nov. 6).