Today is the 47th day of 2016 and the 57th day of winter.
Advertisement
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1923, archaeologist Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of the recently discovered tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen.
In 1959, Fidel Castro was sworn in as prime minister of Cuba.
In 1968, the United States' first 911 emergency phone system went into service in Haleyville, Alabama.
In 2005, the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gases took effect for 141 ratifying nations.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Henry M. Leland (1843-1932), Cadillac and Lincoln Motor Co. founder; Edgar Bergen (1903-1978), ventriloquist; Vera-Ellen (1921-1981), actress/dancer; Sonny Bono (1935-1998), singer/politician; Richard Ford (1944- ), author; LeVar Burton (1957- ), actor; Ice-T (1958- ), actor/rapper; John McEnroe (1959- ), tennis player; Christopher Eccleston (1964- ), actor; Jerome Bettis (1972- ), football player; Elizabeth Olsen (1989- ), actress; The Weeknd (1990- ), singer-songwriter.
TODAY'S FACT: Hundreds of millions of 911 emergency calls are made in the United States each year. The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 70 percent are wireless calls.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2005, the National Hockey League canceled its 2004-2005 regular season and playoffs due to a labor dispute.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "One day you think you never even made a choice and then you have to make one, even a wrong one, just so you're sure you're still able. And once that's over, you can go back and be happy again with what you were before you started worrying." -- Richard Ford, "A Piece of My Heart"
TODAY'S NUMBER: 30 -- broadcast radio stations in the United States in 1922. Today there are more than 15,000.
TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Feb. 15) and full moon (Feb. 22).