Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Sept. 16: In 1857, the song "Jingle Bells" was copyrighted by Jane Pierpont of Boston. The song, originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh," was written for a Sunday school entertainment show. In 1925, B.B.

Today in Music History for Sept. 18: In 1939, former teen idol Frankie Avalon was born Francis Avallone in Philadelphia. Avalon was one of several manufactured teen heart-throbs to come out of Philly in the late 1950s.

Today in Music History for Sept. 20: In 1885, famous Canadian mezzo-soprano Eva Gauthier was born in Ottawa. She died in New York in 1958.

Today in Music History for Sept. 21: In 1934, Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was born in Montreal.

Today in History for Sept. 18: On this date: In 52, Marcus Trajan, emperor of Rome from 98-117, was born. He was the third Roman emperor to rule, after Nero (54-68) and Domitian (81-96), who persecuted the early Church.

Today in History for Sept. 21: On this date: In 1522, Martin Luther first published his German translation of the New Testament.

Today in History for Sept. 19: On this date: In 1648, Jacques Boisdon opened Canada's first tavern in Quebec City.

Today in History for Sept. 17: On this date: In 1665, the bubonic plague broke out in Europe and Britain, killing an estimated 70,000 people in its first year.

Today in History for Sept. 20: On this date: In 1378, the "Great Schism" in the Roman Catholic Church began. It was touched off when Pope Gregory XI died, shortly after returning the papal seat from Avignon, in France, to Rome.

Today in History for Sept. 15: On this date: In 1773, the ship, "Hector," arrived at Brown's Point, near Pictou, N.S.