Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for March 6: In 1853, Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata" premiered in Venice, Italy. In 1905, Bob Wills, the man who originated the style of music known as western swing, was born near Kosse, Texas.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 5: Actor Paul Sand ("St. Elsewhere") is 92. Actor James B. Sikking ("Hill Street Blues," ''Doogie Howser, M.D.") is 90. Football player-turned-actor Fred Williamson is 86.

Today in Music History for March 5: In 1882, Canadian soprano Pauline Donalda was born in Montreal.

Today in History for March 5: In 1496, King Henry VII of England granted a charter to John Cabot and his three sons, permitting them to claim any and all lands they might discover. In 1755, Anthony Henday, an employee of the Hudson's Bay Co.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 4: Actress Paula Prentiss (1975's "The Stepford Wives") is 86. Movie director Adrian Lyne ("Fatal Attraction") is 83. Singer Dieter Meier (Yello) is 79. Saxophonist Jan Garbarek is 77.

Today in History for March 4: In 1561, Cardinal Carlo-Carafa became the last Roman Catholic prelate sentenced to death by a Pope. In 1678, composer Antonio Vivaldi was born. In 1789, the first U.S. Congress met in New York City.

Today in Music History for March 4: In 1678, composer Antonio Vivaldi was born. In 1948, "Yes" bass player Chris Squire was born in London.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 3: Singer-guitarist Mike Pender of The Searchers is 83. Movie producer-director George Miller ("Mad Max") is 79. Actress Hattie Winston ("Becker") is 79. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 77.

Today in Music History for March 3: In 1875, one of the most popular operas ever written, Georges Bizet's "Carmen," premiered in Paris. It unfolds a story of love, hate, jealousy and murder set in the world of Spanish gypsies and bullfighters.

Today in History for March 3: In 1801, David Emanuel, the first Jewish governor in the United States, took office in Georgia. In 1841, Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson's Bay Co., began a trip around the world. The trip would take 20 months.