Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Dec. 3: In 1170, Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, returned to England after six years of exile in France. He would be martyred on Dec. 29 -- killed by soldiers sent by his former friend, King Henry II.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 22: Comedian-director Terry Gilliam (Monty Python) is 84. Actor Tom Conti is 83. Singer Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods) is 83. Retired NASA astronaut Guion Bluford is 82.

Today in History for Nov. 22: In 1718, the English pirate Blackbeard was killed during a battle off the Virginia coast.

Today in Music History for Nov. 22: In 1899, songwriter, singer and actor Hoagy Carmichael, composer of the standards "Star Dust" and "Georgia on My Mind," was born in Bloomington, Ind. "Star Dust" was Carmichael's first major success.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 21: Actor Laurence Luckinbill is 90. Actress Marlo Thomas is 87. Actor Rick Lenz is 85. Actress Juliet Mills ("Passions," ''Nanny and the Professor") is 83. Songwriter David Porter ("Soul Man") is 83.

Today in History for Nov. 21: In 1766, the first theatre in the U.S. -- the "Southfork" -- opened in Philadelphia. In 1783, the first free flight was made by two men who rose 100 metres above Paris in a hot-air balloon.

Today in Music History for Nov. 21: In 1877, Thomas Edison announced he invented a "talking machine" -- something that became known as the phonograph. In 1941, songwriter David Porter was born in Memphis.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 20: Actress Estelle Parsons is 97. Author Don DeLillo is 88. Comedian Dick Smothers is 86. Tony Butala of the pop vocal group The Lettermen is 86. Singer Norman Greenbaum is 82. US President Joe Biden is 82.

Today in History for Nov. 20: In 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the U.S. Bill of Rights. In 1841, Wilfrid Laurier, Canada's seventh prime minister, was born.

Today in Music History for Nov. 20: In 1886, the Toronto Conservatory of Music was incorporated. It began with 200 students and 50 teachers, and operated in a space over a music store in the downtown area.