NEA DATEBOOK

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; Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket (1970- ), author; Eric Lindros (1973- ), hockey player; Jason Aldean (1977- ), singer-songwriter;

Luka Doncic (1999- ), basketball player.

TODAY’S FACT: The 2-1/2-hour series finale of “M*A*S*H,” which was watched by 60.3% of U.S. TV-owning households, remains the highest-rated TV series finale in history, with a 77 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: “Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby — awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess.” — Lemony Snicket, “Horseradish”

TODAY’S NUMBER: 51 — days that the 1993 Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas, lasted.

TODAY’S MOON: Between full moon (Feb. 24) and last quarter moon (March 3).