TODAY'S HISTORY: 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 seven astronauts.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Jose Marti (1853-1895), poet/activist; Colette (1873-1954), writer; Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), artist; Alan Alda (1936- ), actor, is 72; Elijah Wood (1981- ), actor, is 27.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1901, baseball's American League formally organized as a major league.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Total absence of humor renders life impossible." - Colette

TODAY'S FACT: 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.

TODAY'S NUMBER: 20,000-25,000 - estimated number of genes in the human genome, revised from 100,000 in 2001.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (January 22) and last quarter (January 30).