Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for May 26: In 735, Bede the Venerable, known as the father of English church history, Benedictine monk, priest, writer, hymn writer, died at about age 62.

Today in History for May 26: In 735, Bede the Venerable, known as the father of English church history, Benedictine monk, priest, writer, hymn writer, died at about age 62.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 25: Actress Ann Robinson ("War of the Worlds") is 96. Classical pianist Robert Silverman is 87. Actor Sir Ian McKellen ("Lord of the Rings") is 86. Country singer Jessi Colter is 82. Actress-singer Leslie Uggams is 82.

Today in History for May 25: In 585 B.C., the first known prediction of a solar eclipse occurred. In 1085, Alfonso VI of Castile captured Toledo, Spain, and brought the Moorish centre of science into Christian hands.

Today in Music History May 25: In 1893, Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, leader of one of the most famous family groups in country music, was born in Monorat, Va.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 24: Actor-comedian-impressionist Stanley Baxter is 99. Artist Robert Bateman is 95. Jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp is 88. Comedian Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong is 87.

Today in History for May 24: In 1543, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus died in Frombork, Poland. He proposed the heliocentric, or sun-centred, system whereby the planets orbit around the sun. He was born Feb. 19, 1473, in Torum, Poland.

Today in Music History for May 24: In 1859, the song "Ave Maria," featuring a melody by French composer Charles Gounod superimposed on a theme from Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier," was first performed in Paris by opera singer Marie Caroline Miolan-Car

Celebrity Birthdays for May 29: Actor Anthony Geary ("General Hospital") is 78. Actor Cotter Smith is 76. Singer Rebbie Jackson is 75. Movie composer/musician Danny Elfman is 72. Singer LaToya Jackson is 69.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 27: Actress Lee Meriwether is 90. Actor Bruce Weitz is 82. Singer Bruce Cockburn is 80. Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 75. Actor Richard Schiff ("The West Wing") is 70.