Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Sept. 20: On this date: In 1378, the "Great Schism" in the Roman Catholic Church began. It was touched off when Pope Gregory XI died, shortly after returning the papal seat from Avignon, in France, to Rome.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 19: Actress Rosemary Harris is 97. Singer Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers is 84. Singer Sylvia Tyson of Ian and Sylvia is 84. Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is 84. Singer Freda Payne is 82.

Today in Music History for Sept. 19: In 1910, Salomon Mazurette, called the King of Canadian Pianists, died in Detroit at the age of 63. In 1931, singer Brook Benton was born Benjamin Franklin Peay in Camden, S.C.

Today in History for Sept. 19: On this date: In 1648, Jacques Boisdon opened Canada's first tavern in Quebec City.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 18: Hockey Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman is 91. Gospel singer Bobby Jones is 85. Singer-actor Frankie Avalon is 84. Singer-songwriter Michael Franks is 80.

Today in Music History for Sept. 18: In 1939, former teen idol Frankie Avalon was born Francis Avallone in Philadelphia. Avalon was one of several manufactured teen heart-throbs to come out of Philly in the late 1950s.

Today in History for Sept. 18: On this date: In 52, Marcus Trajan, emperor of Rome from 98-117, was born. He was the third Roman emperor to rule, after Nero (54-68) and Domitian (81-96), who persecuted the early Church.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 17: Singer LaMonte McLemore of the Fifth Dimension is 89. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson is 79. Singer Fee Waybill of The Tubes is 74. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, is 74.

Today in Music History for Sept. 17: In 1923, Hank Williams, country music's most influential performer, was born in Mount Olive, Ala.

Today in History for Sept. 17: On this date: In 1665, the bubonic plague broke out in Europe and Britain, killing an estimated 70,000 people in its first year.