Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for March 28: On this date: In 1380, gunpowder was first used in Europe in a battle between the Genoese and the Venetians. In 1515, Spanish mystic St. Teresa of Avila, founder of a reformed Carmelite order, was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 28: Author Mario Vargas Llosa is 88. Country musician Charlie McCoy (``Hee Haw'') is 83. Movie director Mike Newell is 82. Filipino politician Rodrigo Duterte is 79. Actress Dianne Wiest is 77.

Today in Music History for March 27: In 1905, blues pianist, singer and songwriter Leroy Carr was born in Nashville. With guitarist Scrapper Blackwell, Carr formed one of the greatest blues partnerships of all time.

Today in History for March 27: On this date: In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted present-day Florida. In 1613, Newfoundland's first English child was born. In 1625, King James I died.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 27: Actor Julian Glover is 89. Actor Jerry Lacy is 88. Actor-director Austin Pendleton is 84. Actor Michael York is 82. Keyboardist Tony Banks (Genesis) is 74.

Today in Music History for March 26: In 1827, composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna at the age of 57. His works bridged the classical and romantic periods and brought a new depth and emotional intensity to music.

Today in History for March 26: On this date: In 1821, the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company amalgamated under the name Hudson's Bay Company. In 1830, Joseph Smith first published ``The Book of Mormon.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 26: U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is 84. Biologist and author Richard Dawkins is 83. Author Erica Jong is 82. Journalist Bob Woodward is 81. Singer Diana Ross is 80. Singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is 76.

Today in History for March 25: On this date: In 1409, rebel bishops met at Pisa and voted to excommunicate the two popes, Benedict XIII and Gregory XII.

Today in Music History for March 25: In 1942, Aretha Franklin, dubbed ``The Queen of Soul'' for her million-selling records in the 1960s, was born in Memphis. By age 14, Aretha was a featured performer with her father's gospel caravan.