Today is the 118th day of 2016 and the 39th day of spring.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1521, explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Philippines.
In 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded in the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee, killing some 1,700 passengers.
In 2006, construction began on the Freedom Tower (later renamed One World Trade Center) at the World Trade Center site in New York City.
In 2014, John XXIII and John Paul II became the first popes to be canonized as saints since 1954.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Samuel Morse (1791-1872), Morse code co-inventor; Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), soldier/18th U.S. president; Rogers Hornsby (1896-1963), baseball player; Enos Slaughter (1916-2002), baseball player; Jack Klugman (1922-2012), actor; Coretta Scott King (1927-2006), activist; Casey Kasem (1932-2014), radio/TV personality; August Wilson (1945-2005), playwright; Herm Edwards (1954- ), football coach/sportscaster; Patrick Stump (1984- ), singer-songwriter.
TODAY'S FACT: In 1667, blind and impoverished poet John Milton sold the copyright to his masterpiece, "Paradise Lost," for 10 pounds (roughly $2,200 in 2015 U.S. currency).
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1956, 31-year-old boxer Rocky Marciano retired with a perfect 49-0 record, the only heavyweight champion to do so.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "In regard to foreign policy, I would deal with nations as equitable law requires individuals to deal with each other, and I would protect the law-abiding citizen, whether of native or foreign birth, wherever his rights are jeopardized or the flag of our country floats." -- Ulysses S. Grant
TODAY'S NUMBER: 1,776 -- architectural height (in feet) of One World Trade Center.
TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (April 21) and last quarter moon (April 29).