Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 23: In AD 638, the Islamic calendar was created and first used. In 1492, the Jewish Pentateuch was first printed.

Today in Music History for Jan. 24: In 1941, singer-songwriter-actor Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Today in Music History for Jan. 22: In 1935, Sam Cooke, who provided the early foundations of soul music through his mixture of gospel music and secular themes, was born in Chicago.

Today in History for Jan. 22: In AD 304 (traditional date) -- Vincent of Saragossa, one of the most famous martyrs of the early church, was imprisoned and then killed for refusing to consign the scripture to the fire. According to St.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 10: Opera singer Sherrill Milnes is 90. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Frank Mahovlich is 87. Movie director Walter Hill is 83. Actor William Sanderson (``Deadwood,'' ''Newhart``) is 81. Singer Sir Rod Stewart is 80.

Today in History for Jan. 10: In A.D. 236, Fabian was elected pope of the early Christian Church. He served until 250, when he became the first martyr under Decius, the emperor who initiated the Roman Empire-wide persecution of Christians.

Today in Music History for Jan. 10: In 1917, legendary record producer Jerry Wexler was born in The Bronx, N.Y.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 9: Actress K. Callan is 89. Singer Joan Baez is 84. Guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is 81. Actor John Doman (``Gotham'') is 80. Singer David Johansen (a.k.a. Buster Poindexter) is 75. Singer Crystal Gayle is 74.

Today in Music History for Jan. 9: In 1939, producer Alfred Lion recorded boogie-woogie pianists Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons at a session in New York.

Today in History for Jan. 9: In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1793, Frenchman Jean Pierre Blanchard, using a hot-air balloon, flew between Philadelphia and Woodbury, N.J.