Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for May 26: In 735, Bede the Venerable, known as the father of English church history, Benedictine monk, priest, writer, hymn writer, died at about age 62.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 25: Actress Ann Robinson ("War of the Worlds") is 95. Classical pianist Robert Silverman is 86. Actor Sir Ian McKellen ("Lord of the Rings") is 85. Country singer Jessi Colter is 81. Actress-singer Leslie Uggams is 81.

Today in History for May 25: In 585 B.C., the first known prediction of a solar eclipse occurred. In 1085, Alfonso VI of Castile captured Toledo, Spain, and brought the Moorish centre of science into Christian hands.

Today in Music History May 25: In 1893, Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, leader of one of the most famous family groups in country music, was born in Monorat, Va.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 24: Actor-comedian-impressionist Stanley Baxter is 98. Artist Robert Bateman is 94. Jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp is 87. Comedian Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong is 86.

Today in History for May 24: In 1543, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus died in Frombork, Poland. He proposed the heliocentric, or sun-centred, system whereby the planets orbit around the sun. He was born Feb. 19, 1473, in Torum, Poland.

Today in Music History for May 24: In 1859, the song "Ave Maria," featuring a melody by French composer Charles Gounod superimposed on a theme from Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier," was first performed in Paris by opera singer Marie Caroline Miolan-Car

Celebrity Birthdays for May 23: Actress Barbara Barrie is 92. Actress Joan Collins is 91. International Tennis Hall-of-Famer John Newcombe is 80. Actress Lauren Chapin ("Father Knows Best") is 79. Country singer Misty Morgan is 79.

Today in History for May 23: In 1275, King Edward I of England ordered the cessation of the persecution of French Jews. In 1430, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English.

Today in Music History for May 23: In 1889, Mary Susanne Edgar, a Canadian YWCA leader who wrote a number of hymns during her years of leading a Christian camping ministry with girls, was born.