Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 30: Actress Angie Dickinson is 93. Singer Cissy Houston is 91. Singer Johnny Mathis is 89. Actor Len Cariou ("The Four Seasons") is 85. Singer Marilyn McCoo is 81. Actor Vondie Curtis-Hall is 74.

Today in Music History for Oct. 12: In 1609, "Three Blind Mice," believed to be the earliest printed secular song, was published in London.

Today in Music History for Oct. 7: In 1832, Charles Converse, American lawyer and sacred composer, was born. He penned the hymn tune for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Today in Music History for Oct. 8: In 1931, conductor, violinist and music teacher Luigi von Kunits, the founder of the New Symphony Orchestra, died in Toronto at the age of 61. The New Symphony became the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927.

Today in Music History for Oct. 6: In 1908, Canadian composer and musicologist Francois Brassard was born in St. Jerome, Que. He is best known for his work in research, compilation, editing and harmonizing of French-Canadian folk songs.

Today in Music History for Oct. 9: In 1929, singing cowboy Gene Autry made his first recordings during a visit to New York. In 1937, Pat Burke, saxophonist and flutist with the mid-'60s British pop band "The Foundations," was born.

Today in Music History for Oct. 11: In 1882, composer and music educator Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville, now Niagara Falls, Ont. Dett, who spent most of his life in the U.S., was dedicated to the cause of black music in America.

Today in Music History for Oct. 10: In 1813, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi was born in Le Roncole. Among Verdi's major successes were "Rigoletto," produced in 1851, and "Il Trovatore" and "La Traviata," both staged in 1853. Verdi died in 1901.

Today in History for Oct. 12: On this date: In 451, nearly 600 bishops of the Christian church began meeting at the Second Ecumenical Council.

Today in History for Oct. 11: On this date: In 1521, Pope Leo X gave Henry VIII of England the title "Fidei Defensor," or Defender of the Faith. Thirteen years later, Henry severed all ties with Rome to establish the Church of England.