Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 24: Fiddler Doug Kershaw is 88. Singer Ray Stevens is 85. Singer Aaron Neville is 83. Singer Neil Diamond is 83. Actor Michael Ontkean (``Twin Peaks'') is 78. Country singer-songwriter Becky Hobbs is 74.

Today in History for Jan. 24: In 1076, Germany's Henry IV convened the synod of Worms to secure the deposition of Pope Gregory VII. It charged the pontiff with serious crimes and called upon Rome to depose him. Henry was later excommunicated.

Today in Music History for Jan. 24: In 1941, singer-songwriter-actor Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 23: Nobel Prize-winning Toronto chemist John Polanyi is 95. Actress Chita Rivera is 91. Actor-director Lou Antonio is 90. Jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton is 81. Actor Gil Gerard is 81.

Today in History for Jan. 23: In AD 638, the Islamic calendar was created and first used. In 1492, the Jewish Pentateuch was first printed.

Today in Music History for Jan. 23: In 1893, Episcopal minister Phillips Brooks, bishop of Massachusetts and author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," died. In 1940, country singer-songwriter Johnny Russell was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 22: Celebrity chef Graham Kerr (TV: ``The Galloping Gourmet'') is 90. Author Joseph Wambaugh is 87. Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Serge Savard is 78. Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 75. Movie director Jim Jarmusch is 71.

Today in History for Jan. 22: In AD 304 (traditional date) -- Vincent of Saragossa, one of the most famous martyrs of the early church, was imprisoned and then killed for refusing to consign the scripture to the fire. According to St.

Today in Music History for Jan. 22: In 1935, Sam Cooke, who provided the early foundations of soul music through his mixture of gospel music and secular themes, was born in Chicago.

Today in History for Jan. 21: In 1525, the first Anabaptist baptismal service took place in Zurich, Switzerland, when Conrad Grebel re-baptized George Blaurock. In 1549, the British Parliament passed the first of four Acts of Uniformity.