Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for April 1: In 1917, Scott Joplin, the ``King of Ragtime,'' died in a mental institution in New York City. Joplin fell into a deep depression -- which eventually led to insanity -- after the failure of his opera ``Treemonisha.

Today in History for April 5: On this date: In 1614, in Virginia, Indian chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, married English colonist John Rolfe. She was one of the first North American native converts to Christianity.

Today in Music History for April 2: In 1872, renowned Canadian soprano Emma Albani made her London debut, singing the role of ``Amina'' in ``La Sonambula.'' In 1939, Motown hitmaker Marvin Gaye was born in Washington, D.C.

Today in Music History for March 31: In 1732, composer Franz Joseph Haydn, known as the ``Father of the Symphony,'' was born in Austria. One of his greatest contributions to church music was his 1798 oratorio ``The Creation.'' He died in 1809.

Today in Music History for April 5: In 1922, Canadian composer Harry Freedman was born in Lodz, Poland. In 1970, he became the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's first composer-in-residence.

Today in History for April 3: In 1327, Marsilius of Padua and his copyist, John of Jandun, were forced to flee Paris for asylum in Bavaria after the pope issued a bull denouncing them as ``sons of perdition and fruits of malediction.

Today in Music History for April 3: In 1897, German pianist and composer Johannes Brahms died of liver cancer at age 63.

Today in Music History for April 4: In 397, St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, died. Known as the ``Father of Hymnody,'' he encouraged the singing of hymns, wrote several and codified the Ambrosian chant for the early church.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 22: Actor William Shatner is 93. Actor M. Emmet Walsh is 89. Hockey Hall of Fame centre Dave Keon is 84. Singer Jeremy Clyde of Chad and Jeremy is 83. Singer-guitarist George Benson is 81.

Today in Music History for March 22: In 1943, singer-guitarist George Benson was born in Pittsburgh. After years as a jazz guitarist, Benson signed in 1975 with Warner Brothers, who encouraged him to sing.