Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Sept. 9: On this date: In 1087, William the Conqueror, England's first king, died in a riding accident in France. In 1776, the second Continental Congress changed the name of the United Colonies to the United States of America.

Today in History for Sept. 10: On this date: In 1224, the Franciscans, founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi, arrived in England. They were originally called Grey Friars because of their grey habits. The habit worn by modern Franciscans is brown.

Today in History for Sept. 13: On this date: In 1503, artist Michelangelo began work on his "David," which would become one of the most famous sculptures in the world. In 1775, Laura Secord, heroine of the War of 1812, was born. In 1788, the U.S.

Today in History for Sept. 11: On this date: In 1541, Jacques Cartier reached the Lachine rapids above Montreal on his third voyage to Canada.

Today in History for Sept. 8: On this date: In 70 AD, following a six-month siege, Jerusalem surrendered to the 60,000 troops of Titus’ Roman army.

Today in History for Sept. 12: On this date: In 1362, Pope Innocent VI died.

Today in History for Sept. 14: On this date: In 1321, Italian poet Dante Alighieri died. In 1752, the Gregorian calendar was officially adopted by the British Empire and its colonies in America.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 30: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is 94. Actress Elizabeth Ashley is 85. Actor-turned-politician Ben Jones ("The Dukes of Hazzard") is 83. Cartoonist Robert Crumb is 81.

Today in History for Aug. 30: On this date: In 30 B.C., Cleopatra, the celebrated queen of Egypt, committed suicide. In 1463, King Louis XI died after ruling France for 22 years.

Today in Music History for Aug. 30: In 1919, "The Queen of Country Music" Kitty Wells was born Ellen Muriel Deason in Nashville. She took her stage name from an old folk song, "Sweet Kitty Wells.