Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Feb. 4: In 1783, Britain declared a formal cessation of hostilities with its former colony, the United States. In 1789, George Washington was elected the first president of the United States.

Today in History for Feb. 8: In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded. After attempting to restore Catholicism to Scotland and two disastrous marriages, she was forced to abdicate and fled to England in 1567.

Today in History for Feb. 9: In 249, legends say the woman who later became St. Appolonia, the patron saint of dentistry, was tortured and killed for being a Christian.

Today in History for Feb. 5: In 1555, in the southern part of present-day Germany, the Diet of Augsburg began its final deliberations. Delegates later signed the Peace of Augsburg, granting official recognition to Lutheranism as a religion.

Today in Music History for Feb. 8: In 1899, blues guitarist and singer Lonnie Johnson was born in New Orleans.

Today in Music History for Feb. 9: In 1891, the Canadian Pacific Railway opened its Vancouver Opera House with a performance by the Emma Juch English Opera company, a touring company from the U.S.

Today in Music History for Feb. 4: In 1894, Belgian musician and inventor Adolphe Sax died at age 79. He gave the world the saxophone, the saxtromba and the sax horn.

Today in Music History for Feb. 6: In 1945, Bob Marley, the first superstar of reggae music, was born in Rhoden Hall, Jamaica.

Today in Music History for Feb. 7: In 1944, the first Canadian Kiwanis Music Festival opened at the Eaton Auditorium in Toronto. There were about 7,000 competitors. One of the winners was a 10-year-old pianist -- Glenn Gould.

Today in Music History for Feb. 5: In 1887, Verdi's opera ``Otello'' premiered at the La Scala opera house. In 1940, Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded ``Tuxedo Junction'' for RCA Victor's Bluebird label.