Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for June 21: In 1639, Increase Mather, an early American theologian, was born. He published nearly 100 books, and is credited with helping end executions for witchcraft in colonial America. In 1749, Halifax was founded by Gov.

Today in Music History for June 21: In 1821, Henry Baker, compiler of "Hymns Ancient and Modern," the unofficial Anglican Church hymnal, was born. In 1908, the nationalist Russian composer Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov died at age 64.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 26: Jazz pianist Dave Grusin is 91. Actor Josef Sommer is 91. Jazz bassist Reggie Workman is 88. Singer Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension is 87. Singer Georgie Fame is 82. Actor Clive Francis ("The Crown") is 79.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 24: Actress Michele Lee is 83. Singer Arthur Brown is 83. Actor-director Georg Stanford Brown is 82. Singer Colin Blunstone of The Zombies is 80. Drummer Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac is 78. Actor Peter Weller is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 25: Actress June Lockhart is 100. Singer Eddie Floyd is 88. Actress Barbara Montgomery ("Amen," ''The Women of Brewster Place") is 86. Actress Mary Beth Peil ("The Good Wife," ''Dawson's Creek") is 85.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 28: Comedian-movie director Mel Brooks is 99. Comedian-impressionist John Byner is 87. Actor Bruce Davison is 79. Actress Kathy Bates is 77. Actress Alice Krige is 71. Playwright Brad Fraser is 66.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 23: Singer Diana Trask is 85. Pianist and harpsichordist Ralph Grierson is 83. Actor Ted Shackelford ("Knots Landing") is 79. Actor Bryan Brown ("The Thorn Birds") is 78. Two-time world curling champion Ed Werenich is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 22: Actress Prunella Scales (TV: "Fawlty Towers") is 93. Actor Klaus Maria Brandauer is 82. Journalist Brit Hume is 82. Singer Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon is 81. Singer Howard "Eddie" Kaylan of The Turtles is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for June 27: Businessman Charles Bronfman is 94. Singer Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys is 83. Composer-arranger-pianist Frank Mills is 83. Fashion designer Vera Wang is 76. Actress Julia Duffy ("Newhart") is 74.

Today in History for July 5: In 1810, one of the greatest showmen of all time, Phineas T. Barnum, was born in Bethel, Conn. In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.