Today is the 17th day of 2013 and the 28th day of winter.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1773, Captain James Cook, along with his shipmates, became the first to sail south of the Antarctic Circle.

In 1819, Simon Bolivar proclaimed Colombia a republic.

In 1991, a United States-led coalition's planes struck targets in Kuwait and Iraq, launching the Persian Gulf War.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), statesman/inventor/author; Al Capone (1899-1947), organized crime boss; Betty White (1922- ), actress; James Earl Jones (1931- ), actor; Muhammad Ali (1942- ), boxer; Jim Carrey (1962- ), actor; Michelle Obama (1964- ), U.S. first lady; Zooey Deschanel (1980- ), actress; Dwyane Wade (1982- ), basketball player.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1971, the Baltimore Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in Super Bowl V, a game so filled with errors it was nicknamed the "Blunder Bowl."

TODAY'S FACT: Though Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments as an inventor, publisher and statesman are well known, his musicianship is not. He was a composer and viol player, and created a briefly popular new instrument known as the armonica (or glass armonica).

TODAY'S QUOTE: "A man who views the world at 50 the same way as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." -- Muhammad Ali

TODAY'S NUMBER: 26 -- age at which gangster Al Capone became boss of the "Chicago Outfit."

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (Jan. 11) and first quarter moon (Jan. 18).

Today is the 16th day of 2013 and the 27th day of winter.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1920, the League of Nations held its first meeting.

In 1979, the Shah of Iran fled his homeland in the wake of a revolution.

In 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first female elected head of state of an African nation when she was sworn in as president of Liberia.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Ethel Merman (1909-1984), actress/singer; Dizzy Dean (1910-1974), baseball player; Susan Sontag (1933-2004), author/critic; Ronnie Milsap (1943- ), singer; Ruth Reichl (1948- ), food writer/editor; Kate Moss (1974- ), model; Albert Pujols (1980- ), baseball player.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1961, Mickey Mantle signed a contract for an annual salary of $75,000, making him the highest-paid player in the American League.

TODAY'S FACT: The busiest U.S. airport is Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, which 92.5 million passengers traveled through in 2011.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Interpretation is the revenge of the intellect upon art." -- Susan Sontag

TODAY'S NUMBER: 23 -- countries that were members of the League of Nations for its entire duration. Forty other nations were members intermittently.

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (Jan. 11) and first quarter moon (Jan. 18).

Today is the 15th day of 2013 and the 26th day of winter.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1759, the British Museum opened to the public.

In 1844, the University of Notre Dame received its official charter from the state of Indiana.

In 1930, Amelia Earhart reached a speed of 171 mph in a Lockheed Vega, setting an aviation record for women.

In 1943, the Pentagon was dedicated in Arlington, Va.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Edward Teller (1908-2003), physicist; Gene Krupa (1909-1973), jazz drummer; Lloyd Bridges (1913-1998), actor; Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918-1970), Egyptian president; Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), civil rights leader; Mario Van Peebles (1957- ), actor/director; Drew Brees (1979- ), football player; Matt Holliday (1980- ), baseball player; Skrillex (1988- ), musician.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1967, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in the first Super Bowl.

TODAY'S FACT: The Pentagon is the world's largest office building by floor area, with 3.7 million square feet of dedicated office space.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." -- Martin Luther King Jr.

TODAY'S NUMBER: 24 -- age at which Amelia Earhart purchased her first plane, a bright yellow Kinner Airster. Earhart named the two-seater biplane "Canary" and used it to set her first women's record by flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (Jan. 11) and first quarter moon (Jan. 18).