Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for July 16: On this date: In 622, Prophet Mohammad fled from Mecca, where he was despised and persecuted, to the northern city of Medina, marking the day of beginning of Hegira, the Islamic calendar.

Today in Music History for July 16: In 1952, Stewart Copeland, drummer with the rock band "The Police," was born in Alexandria, Va.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 15: Actor Patrick Wayne is 85. Singer Millie Jackson is 80. Guitarist-singer Peter Lewis of Moby Grape is 79. Singer Linda Ronstadt is 78. Drummer Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd) is 76.

Today in History for July 15: On this date: In 1099, the Muslim citizens of Jerusalem surrendered their city to the armies of the First Crusade.

Today in Music History for July 15: In 1908, Canadian soprano Louise Edvina made her professional debut at Covent Garden in London, as "Marguerite" in the opera "Faust." The Montreal-born Edvina became one of the British capital's favourite artists.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 14: Actress Nancy Olson is 96. Former football player-turned actor Rosey Grier is 92. Actor Vincent Pastore ("The Sopranos") is 78. Music company executive Tommy Mottola is 75. Actor-director Eric Laneuville is 72.

Today in History for July 14: On this date: In 1430, Joan of Arc, taken prisoner by the Burgundians in May, was handed over to Pierre Cauchon, the bishop of Beauvais.

Today in Music History for July 14: In 1912, folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Okla.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 13: Game show announcer Johnny Gilbert (TV: "Jeopardy!") is 100. Actor Patrick Stewart is 84. Singer-guitarist Roger McGuinn of The Byrds is 82. Actor Harrison Ford is 82. Actor-comedian Cheech Marin is 78.

Today in History for July 13: On this date: In 100 B.C., Julius Caesar, the most famous general in Roman history, was born. In 1762, Czar Peter III of Russia was dethroned in a coup.