Today in history

Today is Friday, Feb. 15, the 46th day of 2019 and the 57th day of winter.

Today’s Highlights in History: In 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in Cuba, ultimately leading the United States to declare war on Spain.

▪ In 1961, the U.S. figure skating team was killed in a plane crash in Belgium.

▪ In 1972, sound recordings were granted U.S. federal copyright protection.

▪ In 2001, the first draft of the complete human genome was published in the scientific journal Nature.

▪ In 2013, a meteor exploded over Chelyabinsk Oblast in Russia, injuring 1,500 people and damaging 7,200 buildings in six cities.

Today’s fact: “The Simpsons,” created by Matt Groening and currently in its 30th season, is the longest-running American sitcom.

Today’s Sports: In 1998, after 19 losses, Dale Earnhardt Sr. won his first and only Daytona 500.

Today’s Quote: “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball -- the further I am rolled the more I gain.” — Susan B. Anthony

Today’s Number: 12,750 — total length, in miles, of sidewalks in New York City.

Today’s Moon: Between first quarter moon (Feb. 12) and full moon (Feb. 19).