Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for March 21: In 547, Italian monk Benedict, author of the Benedictine rule which established the pattern for European monastic life through the Middle Ages, died at Monte Cassino.

Today in History for March 22: In 1638, religious dissident Anne Hutchinson was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for defying Puritan orthodoxy. In 1765, Britain enacted the Stamp Act of 1765 to raise money from the American colonies.

Today in Music History for March 16: In 1918, "K-K-K-Katy," subtitled "The Stammering Song," written by Chatham, Ont., composer Geoffrey O'Hara, was published.

Today in Music History for March 22: In 1943, singer-guitarist George Benson was born in Pittsburgh. After years as a jazz guitarist, Benson signed in 1975 with Warner Brothers, who encouraged him to sing.

Today in Music History for March 18: In 1902, Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso recorded 10 songs on wax to become the world's first recording star.

Today in History for March 18: In 1314, 39 Knights Templar were burned at the stake in Paris. Created to protect pilgrims going to the Holy Land, the military order had grown wealthy after the Crusades.

Today in Music History for March 21: In 1685, Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest and most influential composers in the Western world, was born in Eisenach, Germany.

Today in History for March 20: In 1413, England's King Henry IV died; he was succeeded by Henry V. In 1455, when Guido di Pietro became a monk at Fiesole, he changed his name to Giovanni and became known as Giovanni da Fiesole.

Today in History for March 19: In 1229, having negotiated a treaty with Muslims for Christian access to Jerusalem, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II -- a reluctant participant in the sixth crusade -- crowned himself king at the Church of the Holy Sepul

Today in Music History for March 17: In 1899, the classic Neopolitan song "O Sole Mio!" was published. The composer was E. di Campna with words by G. Capurro.