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Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today-Music-History-Feb05

Today in Music History for Feb. 5: In 1887, Verdi's opera ``Otello'' premiered at the La Scala opera house. In 1940, Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded ``Tuxedo Junction'' for RCA Victor's Bluebird label.

Today-Music-History-Feb03

Today in Music History for Feb. 3: In 1809, composer Felix Mendelssohn, a devout Lutheran, was born in Hamburg in present-day Germany. His Elijah oratorio is considered second only to Handel's Messiah by many critics.

Celebrity-Birthdays-Jan24

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 24: Fiddler Doug Kershaw is 89. Singer Ray Stevens is 86. Singer Aaron Neville is 84. Singer Neil Diamond is 84. Actor Michael Ontkean (``Twin Peaks'') is 79. Country singer-songwriter Becky Hobbs is 75.

Today-Music-History-Jan24

Today in Music History for Jan. 24: In 1941, singer-songwriter-actor Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Today-History-Jan24

Today in History for Jan. 24: In 1076, Germany's Henry IV convened the synod of Worms to secure the deposition of Pope Gregory VII. It charged the pontiff with serious crimes and called upon Rome to depose him. Henry was later excommunicated.

Celebrity-Birthdays-Jan23

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 23: Nobel Prize-winning Toronto chemist John Polanyi is 96. Actor-director Lou Antonio is 91. Jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton is 82. Actor Gil Gerard is 82. Actor Richard Dean Anderson (``MacGyver'') is 75.

Today-Music-History-Jan23

Today in Music History for Jan. 23: In 1893, Episcopal minister Phillips Brooks, bishop of Massachusetts and author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," died. In 1940, country singer-songwriter Johnny Russell was born.

Today-History-Jan23

Today in History for Jan. 23: In AD 638, the Islamic calendar was created and first used. In 1492, the Jewish Pentateuch was first printed.

Celebrity-Birthdays-Jan22

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 22: Celebrity chef Graham Kerr (TV: ``The Galloping Gourmet'') is 91. Author Joseph Wambaugh is 88. Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Serge Savard is 79. Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 76. Movie director Jim Jarmusch is 72.

Today-Music-History-Jan22

Today in Music History for Jan. 22: In 1935, Sam Cooke, who provided the early foundations of soul music through his mixture of gospel music and secular themes, was born in Chicago.