Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Oct. 24: In 1260, under Pope Alexander IV, Chartres Cathedral in France was consecrated. Completed in less than 30 years, the structure represents high Gothic architecture at its purest.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 23: Movie director Philip Kaufman is 88. Singer Barbara Ann Hawkins of The Dixie Cups is 81. Actor Michael Rupert is 73. Director Ang Lee is 70. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 68. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 68.

Today in Music History for Oct. 23: In 1851, pioneer Canadian conductor and composer Guillaume Couture was born in Montreal.

Today in History for Oct. 23: In 4004 BC, according to the sacred timeline worked out by Archbishop James Ussher, "the heavens and the earth" were created on this date at 9 a.m. (GMT).

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 22: Black Panthers co-founder Bobby Seale is 88. Actor Christopher Lloyd is 86. Actor Derek Jacobi is 86. Actor Tony Roberts is 85. Actress Catherine Deneuve is 81. Movie director Jan de Bont is 81.

Today in Music History for Oct. 22: In 1883, the original Metropolitan Opera House in New York opened with a production of Gounod's "Faust." The building was heavily damaged by fire in 1892, but was rebuilt.

Today in History for Oct. 22: In 1692, a 14-year-old girl repelled an Iroquois attack on Vercheres near Montreal. Marie-Madeleine de Vercheres took charge and rallied people inside the fort.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 21: Keyboardist Manfred Mann is 84. Guitarist Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's is 83. Singer Elvin Bishop is 82. TV judge Judy Sheindlin ("Judge Judy") is 82. Actor Everett McGill ("Twin Peaks") is 79.

Today in Music History for Oct. 21: In 1851, soprano Jenny Lind, dubbed "The Swedish Nightingale," gave her first Canadian concert, at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto. Her tour was organized by showman P.T. Barnum.

Today in History for Oct. 21: In 1555, Queen Mary of England launched a persecution campaign against Protestants that resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people.