Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for July 20: On this date: In 1576, English explorer Martin Frobisher discovered the bay off Baffin Island that now bears his name. He thought it was a passage dividing America from Asia.

Today in Music History for July 17: In 1674, Isaac Watts, innovative pioneer of modern English hymn writing, was born.

Today in Music History for July 19: In 1947, "Queen" guitarist Brian May was born in Hampton Hill, England.

Today in Music History for July 18: In 1903, Canadian soprano Beatrice LaPalme made her Covent Garden debut. She was a last-minute substitute in the role of "Musetta" in a gala performance of "La Boheme" attended by King Edward VII.

Today in Music History for July 20: In 1940, Billboard magazine published its first comprehensive singles record chart.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 5: Writer Barry Callaghan is 87. Singer Huey Lewis is 74. Guitarist Michael Monarch (Steppenwolf) is 74. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Rich (Goose) Gossage is 73. Guitarist Jimmy Crespo is 70.

Today in History for July 5: In 1810, one of the greatest showmen of all time, Phineas T. Barnum, was born in Bethel, Conn. In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

Today in Music History for July 5: In 1944, Robbie Robertson, guitarist with "The Band," was born in Toronto. First known as "The Hawks," "The Band" evolved from a group taken to Ontario from the U.S. by Ronnie Hawkins.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 4: Actress Eva Marie Saint is 100. Actor Ed Bernard ("Police Woman," ''White Shadow") is 85. Actress Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu in "It's A Wonderful Life") is 84. Singer Annette Beard of Martha and the Vandellas is 81.

Today in History for July 4: In 1609, explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed into what was later named Lake Champlain in New York. In 1631, the world's first employment agency opened in Paris. In 1634, Trois-Rivieres, Que.