FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021

Today is the 274th day of 2021 and the 10th day of autumn.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1890, an act of Congress established Yosemite National Park in California.

In 1949, Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong declared the People’s Republic of China at a ceremony in Beijing.

In 1975, Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match in the Philippines.

In 2017, a mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas resulted in 58 deaths and more than 800 wounded.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Helio Gracie (1913-2009), martial artist; Walter Matthau (1920-2000), actor; Jimmy Carter (1924- ), 39th U.S. president; William Rehnquist (1924-2005), United States chief justice; Tom Bosley (1927-2010), actor; Richard Harris (1930- 2002), actor; Julie Andrews (1935- ), actress; Rod Carew (1945- ), baseball player; Tim O’Brien (1946- ), author; Esai Morales (1962- ), actor; Mark McGwire (1963- ), baseball player; Zach Galifianakis (1969- ), actor/comedian; Rupert Friend (1981- ), actor; Brie Larson (1989- ), actress.

TODAY’S FACT: In 1957, the first paper currency bearing the U.S. motto “In God We Trust” entered circulation.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1961, Roger Maris hit his 61st home run of the season, breaking the single-season record that had been held by Babe Ruth since 1927.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “I often sit back and think, ‘I wish I’d done that,’ and find out later that I already have.” -- Richard Harris

TODAY’S NUMBER: $3.50 -- adult ticket price at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, when it opened on this day in 1971. The one-day ticket price (age 10 and up) in 2021 is $109.

TODAY’S MOON: Between last quarter moon (Sept. 28) and new moon (Oct. 6).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021

Today is the 275th day of 2021 and the 11th day of autumn.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1835, the Texas Revolution began as American settlers battled Mexican troops near the Guadalupe River.

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.

In 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first Black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2002, the first two “Beltway sniper” attacks left one person dead in Montgomery County, Maryland.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Nat Turner (1800-1831), slave rebellion leader; Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948), political/spiritual leader; Cordell Hull (1871-1955), statesman; Groucho Marx (1890-1977), comedian/actor; Bud Abbott (1895-1974), comedian/ actor; Graham Greene (1904- 1991), novelist; Rex Reed (1938- ), movie critic; Steve Sabol (1942-2012), director/producer; Don McLean (1945- ), singer-songwriter; Sting (1951- ), singer-songwriter; Kelly Ripa (1970- ), actress/TV personality.

TODAY’S FACT: After translating Leo Tolstoy’s “Letter to a Hindu,” Mohandas Gandhi began a regular correspondence with the novelist that lasted from October 1909 until Tolstoy’s death in November 1910.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 2005, the Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-14 in Mexico City. It was the first regular-season NFL game to take place outside the United States.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.” -- Graham Greene, “Ways of Escape”

TODAY’S NUMBER: 17,897 -- number of original “Peanuts” comic strips (featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy) published between the strip’s debut on this day in 1950 and creator Charles Schulz’s death in 2000.

TODAY’S MOON: Between last quarter moon (Sept. 28) and new moon (Oct. 6).