Today is the 356th day of 2012 and the first day of winter.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1620, the Pilgrims went ashore at Plymouth Rock, setting foot on North America for the first time.
In 1937, Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first feature-length animated film, premiered.
In 1970, Elvis Presley met with President Richard Nixon at the White House.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), British prime minister; Jane Fonda (1937- ), actress; Frank Zappa (1940-1993), musician; Samuel L. Jackson (1948- ), actor; Chris Evert (1954- ), tennis player; Ray Romano (1957- ), actor/comedian; Florence Griffith Joyner (1959-1998), Olympic track athlete; Kiefer Sutherland (1966- ), actor; Philip Humber (1982- ), baseball player.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2010, the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team won its 89th consecutive game, setting a new Division I record for consecutive wins.
TODAY'S FACT: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," derided by Hollywood insiders as "Disney's Folly" while it was in production, cost Disney Studios an estimated $1.5 million to create. Walt Disney mortgaged his home to help cover the unanticipated expenses.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good." -- Elvis Presley, in a letter to President Nixon proposing that he could be an ally in the service of the country.
TODAY'S NUMBER: 41 -- adult male Pilgrims on the Mayflower who signed the Mayflower Compact before disembarking on Plymouth Rock.
TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Dec. 20) and full moon (Dec. 28).