Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Sept. 16: On this date: In 1224, during an extended period of prayer and fasting, it is said St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata (Crucifixion scars of Jesus Christ) on Mount Alvernia, in Italy.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 6: Comedian JoAnne Worley is 89. Country singer David Allan Coe is 85. Singer-bassist Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) is 81. Actress Swoosie Kurtz is 80. Comedian-actress Jane Curtin is 77. Country singer Buddy Miller is 72.

Today in History for Sept. 6: In 1298, the Genoese captured Marco Polo in a sea battle. While imprisoned, the explorer and trader met writer Rustichello of Pisa and together they began a book on Marco's travels.

Today in Music History for Sept. 6: In 1932, Canadian avant-garde composer Gilles Tremblay was born in Arvida (Joncquiere), Que. Tremblay is a sound specialist who uses instruments at the limits of their sound possibilities.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 5: Actress-singer Carol Lawrence is 92. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Bill Mazeroski is 88. Actor George Lazenby is 85. Actor William Devane is 85. Movie director Werner Herzog is 82.

Today in History for Sept. 5: In 1534, Jacques Cartier arrived in France after his first voyage to Canada. In 1638, Louis XIV of France was born. In 1698, Peter the Great of Russia imposed a tax on beards.

Today in Music History for Sept. 5: In 1899, Canadian folk song collector Helen Creighton was born in Dartmouth, N.S.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 4: Actress Mitzi Gaynor is 93. Actor Kenneth Kimmins ("Coach") is 83. Singer Merald "Bubba" Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips is 82. TV personality Dr. Jan Pol ("The Incredible Dr. Pol") is 82.

Today in History for Sept. 4: In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier landed at Ile au Coudres and attended the celebration of the first Roman Catholic mass in Canada. In 1768, French novelist Francois Rene Chateaubriand was born in St. Malo.

Today in Music History for Sept. 4: In 1955, Canadian violinist Donna Grescoe, a native of Winnipeg, appeared on Ed Sullivan's "Talk of the Town" TV show in New York.