It’s cold in New York today: -7 C (19 F), the coldest it’s been in two years. This is good because I am writing about cold things. Not surprisingly, January 22 has a cold history: 1930: -37 C (-35 F), Mount Carroll, Illinois (State record)

Vivian Snook of Mount Carroll

1982: 75% of the United States is covered in snow. 1985: -34 C (-30 F), Mountain Lake Bio Station, Virginia (State record); also 90% of the citrus crop is damaged by a cold wave in Florida. 1987: Due to a blizzard in New Jersey, only 334 people attend Devils’ 7-5 win over Calgary Flames.  Finally and sadly, Judy Garland died of an overdose at age 48 in 1969. (Click her name or photo to listen to Somewhere Over the Rainbow.)