Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for April 15: Actress Claudia Cardinale ("Son of the Pink Panther") is 86. British singer-songwriter Marty Wilde (born Reginald Smith) is 85. Author and politician Jeffrey Archer is 84. Singer-guitarist Dave Edmunds is 80.

Today in History for April 15: On this date: In 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born in Vinci, Italy. He would go on to paint some historic religious scenes, most specifically ``The Last Supper,'' as well as the iconic ``Mona Lisa.

Today in Music History for April 15: In 1729, composer J.S. Bach conducted the premiere performance of his ``St. Matthew Passion'' at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany.

Today in History for April 14: On this date: In 73 AD, rather than face defeat at the hands of the Romans, Jews in the fortress of Masada committed mass suicide.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 14: Actress Julie Christie is 84. Retired MLB All-Star Pete Rose is 83. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is 79. Actor John Shea ("Gossip Girl," ''Lois and Clark") is 75. Country music songwriter Kostas is 75.

Today in Music History for April 14: In 1759, German composer George Frideric Handel died at age 74 in London. He worked mainly in England and Italy, and his most famous work is ``The Messiah.

Today in Music History for April 13: In 1742, George Frideric Handel's majestic oratorio, ``The Messiah,'' was first performed, in Dublin. The performance raised 400 pounds for charity.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 13: Actor Edward Fox is 87. Singer Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers is 84. Movie-TV composer Bill Conti is 82. Musician Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 80. Singer Al Green is 78. Actor Ron Perlman is 74.

Today in History for April 13: In 655 (traditional date), Martin, pope from 649 to 655, died in banishment. He was the last pope venerated as a martyr.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 14: Actress Julie Christie is 84. Retired MLB All-Star Pete Rose is 83. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is 79. Actor John Shea ("Gossip Girl," ''Lois and Clark") is 75. Country music songwriter Kostas is 75.