Five Things to Know About Jan. 31

Welcome to Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. It's hard to believe January is already coming to a close, and before you turn around it'll be spring break! Here are some interesting things about today: 

1. On this day in 1606, Guy Fawkes walked up the gallows to be executed for his role in attempting to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I. Before the hangman was able to slip the noose over Fawkes' head, he dived from the scaffold, broke his neck and died. 

2. On Jan. 31, 1865, the U.S. Congress narrowly passed the 13th Amendment and abolished slavery. 

3. Famous Birthdays: American actress Carol Channing is 92; Former Democratic House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt is 72; American actress and writer Connie Booth is 69; American baseball player Nolan Ryan is 66; British actress Minnie Driver is 43 and American singer and actor Justin Timberlake is 32. 

4. Welcome back to winter. The weather today will be breezy and mostly sunny with a high temperature of 48 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The evening will be cloudy with a chance of snow and a low temperature of 31. 

5. Looking for some new major appliances for your home? Today, the ReBuild Warehouse in Springfield, a nonprofit used-building material warehouse, is having a garage sale. They need to make room for new items, and they sell major appliances, flooring, sinks, kitchen cabinets, doors, light fixtures, lumber, tubs, toilets, bathroom fixtures, vanities and mirrors.  No reasonable offer will be refused. The sale is going on from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Click here for more!