Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Jan. 27: In 1731, Italian harpsichord manufacturer Bartolomeo Cristofori died. He is generally credited with inventing the piano.

Today in Music History for Jan. 21: In 1891, Calixa Lavallee, the composer of ``O Canada,'' died from tubercular laryngitis at his home in Boston. He was 48.

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

Today in Music History for Jan. 26: In 1859, the Victoria Philharmonic Society was founded. It was the first amateur musical organization in what now is British Columbia.

Today in History for Jan. 22: On this date: 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 History for Jan. 21: On this date: In 1525, the first Anabaptist baptismal service took place in Zurich, Switzerland, when Conrad Grebel re-baptized George Blaurock.

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 Music History for Jan. 25: In 1899, (Sleepy) John Estes, an important early bluesman, was born in Ripley, Tenn. He played on the streets of Memphis in the 1920s, supporting himself by working the night shift at a trainyard.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 12: Magician-illusionist ``The Amazing Kreskin'' (born George Joseph Kresge) is 89. Country singer William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys is 85. Jim Gold, lead singer of the '70s pop group Gallery, is 77.

Today in History for Jan. 12: In 1519, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I died. In 1598, the Marquis de La Roche was awarded a fur trading monopoly in the New World by the King of France.