Tue Oct 15 12:50:00 UTC 2024: ## History, Birthdays and More: October 12, 2024

**Today marks the 289th day of 2024, the 24th day of autumn.**

**A Look Back:**

* **1917:** Infamous spy Mata Hari was executed by firing squad outside Paris.
* **1990:** Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
* **2003:** China launched a manned space mission, becoming the third nation to achieve this milestone.
* **2005:** Iraqi citizens voted to approve a new constitution.

**Celebrating Birthdays:**

Today we celebrate the lives of:

* **Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)**, philosopher.
* **P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975)**, author/humorist.
* **Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (1917-2007)**, historian.
* **Lee Iacocca (1924-2019)**, business leader.
* **Penny Marshall (1943-2018)**, film director/actress.
* **Jim Palmer (1945- )**, baseball player.
* **Sarah Ferguson (1959- )**, Duchess of York.
* **Emeril Lagasse (1959- )**, chef/TV personality.
* **Dominic West (1969- )**, actor.
* **Carlo Janka (1986- )**, Olympic skier.

**A Fascinating Fact:**

* **Confederate marine engineer H.L. Hunley died aboard his hand-powered submarine during a test run on this day in 1863.** This vessel was later raised and became the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel, attacking the U.S.S. Housatonic in February 1864.

**Sporting Highlights:**

* **1989:** Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings tied and broke Gordie Howe’s NHL career scoring record of 1,850 points with an assist and a goal against the Edmonton Oilers.

**A Thought for the Day:**

“It has been well said that an author who expects results from a first novel is in a position similar to that of a man who drops a rose petal down the Grand Canyon of Arizona and listens for the echo.” – **P.G. Wodehouse, Cocktail Time**

**Numbers to Ponder:**

* **1,933 miles** – Length of the U.S. border with Mexico, less than half the U.S.-Canada border (3,987 miles, excluding Alaska).

**Moon Phase:**

* The moon is currently between the first quarter (Oct. 10) and full moon (Oct. 17).

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