Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Sept. 1: In 1933, country singer Conway Twitty was born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Miss. He took his stage name from the towns of Conway, Ark. and Twitty, Texas.

Today in Music History for Sept. 2: In 1651, Martin Boutet was appointed director of the children's choir in the parish church at Quebec City. He was the first choirmaster in the new colony.

Today in Music History for Sept. 6: In 1932, Canadian avant-garde composer Gilles Tremblay was born in Arvida (Joncquiere), Que. Tremblay is a sound specialist who uses instruments at the limits of their sound possibilities.

Today in Music History for Sept. 3: In 1915, blues singer and pianist Memphis Slim was born Peter Chatman in the city from which he took his stage name. Memphis Slim was one of the first American bluesmen to move to Europe and become a star there.

Today in Music History for Sept. 4: In 1955, Canadian violinist Donna Grescoe, a native of Winnipeg, appeared on Ed Sullivan's "Talk of the Town" TV show in New York.

Today in History for Sept. 7: In 1533, England's future Queen Elizabeth I was born to King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn. She ruled 45 years, from 1558 to 1603.

Today in History for Sept. 1: On this date: In 1159, the only English pope in history, Adrian (or Hadrian) IV, died. In 1422, Henry VI, an infant, became King of England on the death of his father, Henry V.

Today in History for Sept. 4: In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier landed at Ile au Coudres and attended the celebration of the first Roman Catholic mass in Canada. In 1768, French novelist Francois Rene Chateaubriand was born in St. Malo.

Today in History for Sept. 2: On this date: In 1666, "The Great Fire" of London started in a wooden house on Pudding Lane.

Today in History for Sept. 5: In 1534, Jacques Cartier arrived in France after his first voyage to Canada. In 1638, Louis XIV of France was born. In 1698, Peter the Great of Russia imposed a tax on beards.