Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Aug. 16: In 1935, Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," which turned out be the first million-selling country record by a female singer.

Today in Music History for Aug. 11: In 1943, Jim Kale, the original bass guitarist with "The Guess Who," was born. He was also a member of "The Guess Who's" forerunner, "Chad Allan and the Expressions," a group formed in Winnipeg in the early 1960s.

Today in Music History for Aug. 14: In 1810, Samuel S. Wesley, grandson of Methodist hymnwriter Charles Wesley, was born. Samuel Wesley penned over 130 original hymn tunes. The best remembered is "The Church’s One Foundation.

Today in Music History for Aug.

Today in Music History for Aug. 13: In 1820, engineer and musicologist Sir George Grove, compiler of "Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians," was born in London.

Today in History for Aug. 12: On this date: In 1615, the first mass in Ontario was celebrated by Father Le Caron in a Huron village near Thunder Bay.

Today in History for Aug. 11: On this date: In 1711, the first running at Britain's famous Ascot horse track was held.

Today in History for Aug. 13: On this date: In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured present-day Mexico City from the Aztec Indians. In 1792, French revolutionaries imprisoned the royal family.

Today in History for Aug. 17: On this date: In 1502, Christopher Columbus took possession of what is now Honduras in the name of Spain. In 1761, William Carey, pioneer English missionary to India, was born.

Today in History for Aug. 16: On this date: In 1750, 300 German settlers arrived at Lunenburg, N.S. In 1784, New Brunswick was established as a separate colony from Nova Scotia with a nominated council and elected assembly.