Today in history

Today is the 18th day of 2023 and the 29th day of winter.

Today’s history: In 1788, English settlers landed in Australia to establish a penal colony.

n In 1943, the first armed uprising began at the Warsaw Ghetto in German-occupied Poland.

n In 1964, planners unveiled the designs for New York’s World Trade Center.

n In 1990, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry was arrested on drug possession charges as a result of an FBI sting operation.

n In 2000, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time.

Today’s fact: Australia is the world’s sixth-largest country by area, at 2.97 million square miles.

Today’s sports: In 1976, wide receiver Lynn Swann gained 161 yards on four receptions and was named MVP as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in Super Bowl X.

Today’s quote: “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” — A.A. Milne

Today’s number: 582,578 — square miles of Pacific Ocean encompassed by the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, initially established at 139,797 square miles by President George W. Bush in June 2006 and expanded to its current size by President Barack Obama in August 2016.

Birthdays

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755), political philosopher; Daniel Webster (1782-1852), statesman/orator; A.A. Milne (1882-1956), children’s author; Cary Grant (1904-1986), actor; Danny Kaye (1911-1987), entertainer; Kevin Costner (1955- ), actor; Mark Rylance (1960- ), actor; Mark Messier (1961- ), hockey player; Dave Attell (1965- ), actor/comedian; Dave Bautista (1969- ), wrestler/actor; Jesse L. Martin (1969- ), actor; Julius Peppers (1980- ), football player; Jason Segel (1980- ), actor.