Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Jan. 18: In 1908, composer Henry Herbert Godfrey, who wrote some of Canada's most popular patriotic songs at the turn of the century, died in Montreal at the age of 50.

Today in History for Jan. 17: On this date: In AD 356, Antony of Egypt, considered the founder of Christian monasticism, died at age 105.

Today in Music History for Jan. 17: In 1927, sultry nightclub singer Eartha Kitt was born in Columbia, S.C. Her real birth date wasn't known until 1997, when students at Benedict College in Columbia tracked down her birth certificate.

Today in History for Jan. 14: On this date: In 1529, Spanish diplomat and writer Juan de Valdes published his Dialogue on Christian Doctrine. It paved the way for Protestant ideas in Spain.

Today in Music History for Jan. 19: In 1853, ``Il Trovatore'' by Giuseppe Verdi, the foremost Italian composer of opera, premiered in Rome.

Today in Music History for Jan. 20: In 1889, Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Leadbelly, was born in Morningsport, La. Leadbelly, popular during the 1930s and '40s, was probably the first country blues artist to become known to the white audience.

Today in History for Jan. 16: On this date: In 1543, the British Parliament prohibited any ``women or artificer's prentices, journeymen, servingmen of the degree of yeoman, or under, husbandmen or labourers to read the New Testament in English.

Today in Music History for Jan. 14: In 1790, the first operatic work to be performed in Canada, "Colas et Colinette ou le Bailli Dupe," premiered in Montreal. In 1900, Puccini's opera "Tosca" had its world premiere in Rome.

Today in Music History for Jan. 5: In 1923, Sam Phillips, owner of the legendary Sun Records in Memphis, was born in Florence, Ala. Many music historians say Sun was where rock 'n' roll began.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 5: Actor Robert Duvall is 93. Singer-bassist Athol Guy of The Seekers is 84. Former talk show host Charlie Rose is 82. Actress Diane Keaton is 78. Actor Ted Lange ("The Love Boat") is 76.