Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for July 30: Baseball Hall-of-Famer and former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is 91. Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 89. Singer Paul Anka is 84. Actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is 78.

Today in History for Aug. 8: On this date: In 1471, Thomas Kempis, Dutch mystic and devotional author, died at age 91. His book "The Imitation of Christ" remains in print, a guide to cultivating the inner human spirit.

Today in History for Aug. 7: On this date: In AD 117, Roman emperor Marcus Trajan died at age 65. His attitude toward Christianity gradually changed from toleration to persecution.

Today in History for Aug. 9: On this date: In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier discovered the Mingan Islands, between Anticosti Island and the Quebec mainland.

Today in History for Aug. 5: On this date: In 1100, Henry I ascended the throne of England, three days after his brother, King William II, was killed in a hunting accident.

Today in History for Aug. 3: On this date: In 1460, King James II of Scotland died in a cannon explosion.

Today in History for Aug. 4: On this date: In 1586, a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I was uncovered.

Today in History for Aug. 6: On this date: In 1623, Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare, died. In 1691, Henry Kelsey claimed the Red River Valley for Britain.

Today in Music History for Aug. 5: In 1943, country singer Sammi Smith was born in Orange, Calif.

Today in Music History for Aug. 9: In 1914, Canadian fiddler King Ganam was born Ameen Sied in Swift Current, Sask., to Syrian-English parents. He formed "The Sons of the West" in Edmonton in 1942.