Today is the 34th day of 2014 and the 45th day of winter.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1690, the Massachusetts colony printed the first American paper currency.
In 1913, the federal income tax was authorized with ratification of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution.
In 1959, rock pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.
In 1962, President John Kennedy banned trade with Cuba.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), composer; Horace Greeley (1811-1872), activist/newspaper editor; Gertrude Stein (1874-1946), writer; Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), artist/illustrator; James Michener (1907-1997), author; Blythe Danner (1943- ), actress; Morgan Fairchild (1950- ), actress; Nathan Lane (1956- ), actor; Maura Tierney (1965- ), actress; Isla Fisher (1976- ), actress.
TODAY'S FACT: Norman Rockwell's body of work is estimated at more than 4,000 original pieces.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1990, legendary jockey Willie Shoemaker rode the 40,350th and final race of his career.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it." -- James Michener
TODAY'S NUMBER: 17 -- age at which Felix Mendelssohn wrote his overture to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (Jan. 30) and first quarter moon (Feb. 6).