Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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

Today in History for Oct. 26: In 1774, the American Congress invited Canada to join the 13 colonies opposing Britain. In 1813, a small force of British and Canadian soldiers defeated an advance party of 1,500 Americans at the battle of Chateauguay.

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.

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).

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.

Today in History for Oct. 25: In 1147, the armies of the Second Crusade were destroyed by the Saracens at Dorylaeum in modern Turkey. The Crusaders went on with fruitless campaigns against Damascus, Syria.

Today in History for Oct. 20: In 1632, Sir Christopher Wren, British astronomer and architect, was born. He designed 53 London churches, including St.

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.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 11: Indian actor, director, producer Amitabh Bachchan is 82. Country singer Gene Watson is 81. Singer Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates is 78. Country singer Paulette Carlson (Highway 101) is 72. Actor David Morse ("St.