NEA DATEBOOK

Today is the 38th day of 2023 and the 49th day of winter.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1904, the Great Fire of Baltimore began, resulting in the destruction of more than 1,500 buildings in 31 hours.

In 1917, a German U-boat sank the British ocean liner California off the Irish coast.

In 1962, a near-total embargo on all trade between the United States and Cuba took effect at 12:01 a.m. EST.

In 1964, the “British Invasion” began as the Beatles arrived in New York for their first U.S. tour.

In 1995, the mastermind of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center was arrested in Pakistan.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: John Deere (1804-1886), businessman; Charles Dickens (1812-1870), author; Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957), author; Sinclair Lewis (18851951), author/playwright; Eubie Blake (18871983), composer/pianist; Pete Postlethwaite (1946-2011), actor; James Spader (1960- ), actor; Garth Brooks (1962- ), singer-songwriter; Eddie Izzard (1962- ), actor/comedian; Chris Rock (1965- ), actor/comedian; Steve Nash (1974- ), basketball player; Ashton Kutcher (1978- ), actor; Matthew Stafford (1988- ), football player.

TODAY’S FACT: Baltimore’s population was estimated at 576,498 in 2021, making it the 30th-most populous city in the United States.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1969, Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in a thoroughbred race in the United States at the Hialeah Park Race Track in Florida.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “I have no idea what my best material is. Different people like different things. I’ll say this: The political stuff gets the press, but the relationship jokes sell all the seats.” — Chris Rock

TODAY’S NUMBER: 183 million — albums sold by the Beatles in the U.S., as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.

TODAY’S MOON: Between full moon (Feb. 5) and last quarter moon (Feb. 13).