Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Aug. 26: On this date: In 55 BC, Julius Caesar launched his first attempted invasion of Britain, but achieved limited success. In 1346, King Edward III defeated the French at the battle of Crecy.

Today in Music History for Aug. 26: In 1907, the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto opened with the musical revue "Top of the World." It was the world's first fully fireproof theatre and the first to be air-conditioned.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 25: Actor Tom Skerritt is 91. Author Frederick Forsyth is 86. Movie director John Badham is 85. Filmmaker Marshall Brickman is 85. Jazz bassist Michel Donato is 82. Actor Anthony Heald ("Boston Public") is 80.

Today in History for Aug. 25: On this date: In 1530, Ivan the Terrible, Czar of Muscovy, was born. He ascended to the Russian throne at the age of three and eventually became the first czar.

Today in Music History for Aug. 25: In 1817, Joseph Mohr began serving as pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 24: Composer-musician Mason Williams is 86. Bass guitarist David Freiberg is 86. Singer Marshall Thompson of The Chi-Lites is 83. WWE promoter Vince McMahon is 79. Actress Ann Archer is 77.

Today in History for Aug. 24: On this date: In 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing 20,000 people.

Today in Music History for Aug. 24: In 1841, cellist Henri Billet, who may well have been the first Russian musician to visit Canada, appeared at the Theatre royal in Quebec City.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 28: John Perkins of the 1950s vocal group the Crew Cuts is 93. Actor Sonny Shroyer ("The Dukes of Hazzard") is 89. Former prime minister Paul Martin is 86. Actor Ken Jenkins ("Scrubs") is 84. Actress Barbara Bach is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 27: Author Lady Antonia Fraser is 92. Actor Tommy Sands is 87. Phil Shulman, saxophonist with Gentle Giant is 87. Actress Tuesday Weld is 81. Actor G.W. Bailey ("MASH," ''The Closer") is 80.