Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 8: In 1324, explorer Marco Polo died at age 70. In 1438, the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches met at the Council of Ferrara-Florence in an effort to form an alliance that would save Constantinople from the Turks.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 7: Singer-songwriter Leona Williams is 81. Magazine publisher Jann Wenner is 78. Singer Kenny Loggins is 76. Singer-songwriter Marshall Chapman is 75.

Today in Music History for Jan. 7: In 1868, the most ambitious musical composition inspired by Confederation, "Cantate: la Confederation" by Jean-Baptiste Labelle, was performed at the city hall in Montreal.

Today in History for Jan. 7: In 1450, in Scotland, the University of Glasgow was founded. In 1610, Italian astronomer Galileo discovered the four satellites of Jupiter and named them Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 6: Saxophonist Nino Tempo (born Antonino LoTempio) is 89. Olympic equestrian show jumper Ian Millar is 77. Hall of fame accordionist Joey Miskulin ("Joey the CowPolka King") of Riders in the Sky is 75.

Today in History for Jan. 6: In A.D. 548, the Jerusalem church observed Christmas on this date for the last time as the Western church moved to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25. In 1412, St.

Today in Music History for Jan. 6: In 1924, bluegrass legend and banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs was born in Shelby, N.C.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 12: Magician-illusionist ``The Amazing Kreskin'' (born George Joseph Kresge) is 89. Country singer William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys is 85. Jim Gold, lead singer of the '70s pop group Gallery, is 77.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 8: Former ``Sunday Morning'' host Charles Osgood is 91. Singer Shirley Bassey is 87. Game show host Bob Eubanks (``The Newlywed Game'') is 86. Fashion designer Carolina Herrera is 85.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 10: Opera singer Sherrill Milnes is 89. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Frank Mahovlich is 86. Movie director Walter Hill is 82. Actor William Sanderson (``Deadwood,'' ''Newhart``) is 80. Singer Sir Rod Stewart is 79.