In 1547, England’s King Henry VIII died. In 1871, France surrendered to Germany, ending the Franco-Prussian War. In 1915, the U.S. Coast Guard was founded. In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, killing six astronauts and Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who was to become the first civilian in space.

Jose Marti (1853-1895), poet/activist; Colette (1873-1954), writer; Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), artist; Alan Alda (1936- ), actor; Nicolas Sarkozy (1955- ), French president; Sarah McLachlan (1968- ), singer/songwriter; Elijah Wood (1981- ), actor.

In 1959, Vince Lombardi was named the Green Bay Packers head coach for the upcoming season.

A ranch owner in Fort Keogh, Montana, discovered the largest reported snowflake on this day in 1887. It measured 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.

“Total absence of humor renders life impossible.” – Colette