Today is the 59th day of 2016 and the 69th day of winter.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1935, DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers invented nylon.
In 1993, federal agents raided the Branch Davidian cult compound in Waco, Texas.
In 1997, two heavily armed and armored bank robbers were killed in a shootout with police on the streets of North Hollywood.
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI became the first Catholic pope to resign since 1415.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Vincente Minnelli (1903-1986), film director; Milton Caniff (1907-1988), cartoonist; Frank Gehry (1929- ), architect; Mario Andretti (1940- ), race car driver; Bernadette Peters (1948- ), actress; Paul Krugman (1953- ), columnist/Nobel laureate; John Turturro (1957- ), actor; Robert Sean Leonard (1969- ), actor; Pat Monahan (1969- ), singer-songwriter; Lemony Snicket (1970- ), author; Eric Lindros (1973- ), hockey player; Jason Aldean (1977- ), singer-songwriter.
TODAY'S FACT: The 2 1/2-hour series finale of "M.A.S.H.," which was watched by 60.2 percent of U.S. TV-owning households, remains the highest-rated single TV show in history, with a 77 percent share of the Nielsen ratings during its original airing on this day in 1983.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1967, Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers missed a shot for the first time in four games, ending his NBA-record streak of consecutive field goals at 35.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Just about everything in this world is easier said than done, with the exception of 'systematically assisting Sisyphus's stealthy, cyst-susceptible sister,' which is easier done than said." -- Lemony Snicket, "The Vile Village"
TODAY'S NUMBER: 51 -- days that the 1993 Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas, lasted.
TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Feb. 22) and last quarter moon (March 1).