TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1776 Thomas Paine published his pro-independence pamphlet Common Sense, which quickly sold some 100,000 copies. In 1863, the London Underground (subway) began operations. In 1901, Texas had its first significant oil strike at Beaumont. In 2003, North Korea withdrew from the multi-nation treaty barring it from developing a nuclear weapons program.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Ray Bolger (1904-1987), actor/dancer; Paul Henreid (1908-1992), actor; Sal Mineo (1939-1976), actor; Rod Stewart (1945- ), singer, is 63; George Foreman (1949- ), boxer, is 59; Pat Benatar (1953- ), singer, is 55.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1982, Dwight Clark caught a touchdown pass, thrown by Joe Montana, with 51 seconds to spare to secure a San Francisco 49er's victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC championship game.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Boxing is sort of like jazz. The better it is, the less amount of people can appreciate it." - George Foreman

TODAY'S FACT: A butterfly can see the colors red, green, and yellow.

TODAY'S NUMBER: $530 million - estimated amount of John D. Rockefeller's philanthropy at the time of his death in 1937, which would now equal about $7.7 billion.

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (January 8) and first quarter (January 15).