ANDREWS MCMEEL ALMANAC
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Today is the 26th day of 2020 and the 37th day of winter.
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1802, Congress passed a bill that established the position of Librarian of Congress.
In 1837, Michigan was admitted as the 26th U.S. state.
In 1950, the Indian Constitution went into effect, marking the birth of the Republic of India.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton denied allegations of an extramarital affair during a televised speech.
In 2015, Libby Lane became the first woman to be appointed as a bishop by the Church of England.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), military leader; Maria von Trapp (1905-1987), matriarch of singing family/memoirist; Paul Newman (1925-2008), actor; Jules Feiffer (1929- ), cartoonist/writer; Scott Glenn (1941- ), actor; Gene Siskel (1946-1999), journalist/critic; David Strathairn (1949- ), actor; Eddie Van Halen (1955- ), guitarist/songwriter; Ellen DeGeneres (1958- ), comedian/talk show host; Wayne Gretzky (1961- ), hockey player; Vince Carter (1977- ), basketball player.
TODAY'S FACT: The first Library of Congress was burned (along with the rest of the Capitol building) by British soldiers in 1814, and its 3,000 books were destroyed. The library was rebuilt in part through the purchase of President Thomas Jefferson's personal library of 6,487 books in 1815.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1986, Chicago crushed New England 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, as the Bears' renowned defense held the Patriots to seven yards rushing.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "It is not size or age or childishness that separates children from adults. It is 'responsibility.'" -- Jules Feiffer
TODAY'S NUMBER: 1.37 -- weight (in pounds) of the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality diamond ever found. The 3,106.75-carat gem was discovered in the Premier Mine near Pretoria, South Africa, on this day in 1905.
TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (Jan. 24) and first quarter moon (Feb. 1).