Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Dec. 6: On this date: In 1752, a government pamphlet in Halifax became the first book published in Canada. In 1780, Jean-Antoine Aide-Crequy, the first Canadian-born painter, died in Quebec City.

Today in Music History for Dec. 4: In 1927, Duke Ellington’s band began a four-year engagement at the famous Cotton Club in New York. Among the Ellington classics to emerge from this period were "Creole Love Call" and "Black and Tan Fantasy.

Today in Music History for Dec. 3 In 1908, the Regina Orchestral Society, the forerunner to the Regina Symphony Orchestra, gave its first concert.

Today in Music History for Dec. 7: In 1877, the first successful gramophone was demonstrated. It was invented by Thomas Edison and built by his mechanic, John Kruesi. In 1916, French-Canadian fiddler Ti-Jean Carignan was born in Levis, Que.

Today in Music History for Dec. 9: In 1934, bluesman Junior Wells was born in West Memphis, Ark. He replaced harmonica player Little Walter in Muddy Waters’ band in the early 1950s. His most famous recording is "Hoodoo Man.

Today in History for Dec. 9: On this date: In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London. In 1755, the first post office in Canada opened in Halifax.

Today in Music History for Dec. 5: In 1791, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at age 35. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Vienna’s St. Marx Cemetery. Mozart’s final resting place has remained undiscovered to this day.

Today in History for Dec. 7: On this date: In AD 374, Ambrose, an early church father, was consecrated Bishop of Milan, Italy.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 24: Ray Perkins of the '50s vocal group The Crew Cuts is 90. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson is 85. Country singer Johnny Carver is 83. Author Eric Wilson is 83. Former Beatles drummer Pete Best is 82.

Today in History for Nov. 24: In 1639, astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks first observed the transit of Venus across the Sun. In 1642, Dutch mariner Abel Tasman discovered Tasmania, a triangular-shaped island lying to the southeast of Australia.