Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for April 8: On this date: In 626, Maedoc of Ferns, an early Irish believer in Jesus Christ, died.

Today in History for April 7: On this date: In 1199, King Richard I of England (also known as ``The Lion-Heart'') died in the Limousin region of France at age 41 after being mortally wounded by an arrow.

Today in Music History for April 10: In 787, the church of St. Corneille at Compiegne installed an organ at the request of Frankish King Pepin, in what is modern-day France. This is the first recorded mention of this musical instrument.

Today in History for April 10: On this date: In 1555, Pope Marcellus II was elected the 222nd in the line of Peter, but he didn't last a month, dying on May 1. He was the last pontiff to maintain his baptismal name.

Today in History for April 11: On this date: In 1506, construction began on the new St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican under the guidance of Pope Julius II, who enlisted the talents of Michelangelo and Raphael.

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

Today in History for April 9: On this date: In 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Basin for France.

Today in Music History for April 8: In 1906, Raoul Jobin, considered one of the greatest French tradition tenors of the '30s and '40s, was born in Quebec City.

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.

Today in Music History for April 12: In 1932, Herbert Khaury, better known as ``Tiny Tim,'' was born in New York City. With his ukelele and his squeaky falsetto voice, he became the '60s most successful novelty act.