In 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified, prohibiting state and federal governments from denying the right to vote based on race or color. In 1913, the ratification of the 16th Amendment authorized the federal income tax. In 1959, rock pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. In 1962, President John Kennedy announced a ban on nearly all trade with Cuba. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), composer; Horace Greeley (1811-1872), activist/ newspaper editor; Gertrude Stein (1874-1946), writer; Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), artist/illustrator; James Michener (1907-1997), author; Fran Tarkenton (1940), football player; Blythe Danner (1943- ), actress; Morgan Fairchild (1950), actress; Nathan Lane (1956- ), actor; Maura Tierney (1965- ), actress; Warwick Davis (1970- ), actor; Isla Fisher (1976), actress. TODAY’S FACT: Norman Rockwell’s body of work is estimated at more than 4,000 original pieces. TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1990, legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker rode the 40,350th and final race of his career. TODAY’S QUOTE: “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home.” -- James Michener TODAY’S NUMBER: 17 -- age at which Felix Mendelssohn wrote his overture to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” TODAY’S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Jan. 28) and full moon (Feb. 5).