Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for April 4: Recording executive Clive Davis is 92. Author Kitty Kelley is 82. '60s pop singer Kris Jensen is 82. Actor Craig T. Nelson is 80. Dave Hill, lead guitarist with Slade, is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 6: Nobel Prize-winning scientist James D. Watson is 96. Actor Billy Dee Williams is 87. Actor Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders") is 86. Movie director Barry Levinson is 82. British singer Julie Rogers is 81.

Today in Music History for April 7: In 1824, the first complete performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's ``Missa Solemnis'' was held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Today in History for April 8: On this date: In 626, Maedoc of Ferns, an early Irish believer in Jesus Christ, died.

Today in History for April 7: On this date: In 1199, King Richard I of England (also known as ``The Lion-Heart'') died in the Limousin region of France at age 41 after being mortally wounded by an arrow.

Today in Music History for April 10: In 787, the church of St. Corneille at Compiegne installed an organ at the request of Frankish King Pepin, in what is modern-day France. This is the first recorded mention of this musical instrument.

Today in History for April 10: On this date: In 1555, Pope Marcellus II was elected the 222nd in the line of Peter, but he didn't last a month, dying on May 1. He was the last pontiff to maintain his baptismal name.

Today in History for April 11: On this date: In 1506, construction began on the new St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican under the guidance of Pope Julius II, who enlisted the talents of Michelangelo and Raphael.

Today in History for April 13: On this date: In 655 (traditional date), Martin, pope from 649 to 655, died in banishment. He was the last pope venerated as a martyr.

Today in History for April 9: On this date: In 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Basin for France.