Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Jan. 12: In 1905, cowboy singer Tex Ritter was born in Texas. Most people remember him singing the title song for the Academy Award-winning film "High Noon" in 1952.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 11: Former prime minister Jean Chretien is 90. Olympic alpine skier Anne Heggtveit is 85. Director Joel Zwick (``My Big Fat Greek Wedding'') is 82. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Ben Crenshaw is 72.

Today in History for Jan. 11: In 1569, England's first state lottery was held to raise money for the construction of harbours. In 1693, an earthquake at Catania, Italy, killed 60,000. In 1759, America's first life insurance company was founded.

Today in Music History for Jan. 11: In 1848, Edward Fisher, founder of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, was born in Jamaica, Vt. He directed the conservatory from its opening in 1887 until his death in 1913.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 10: Opera singer Sherrill Milnes is 89. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Frank Mahovlich is 86. Movie director Walter Hill is 82. Actor William Sanderson (``Deadwood,'' ''Newhart``) is 80. Singer Sir Rod Stewart is 79.

Today in History for Jan. 10: In A.D. 236, Fabian was elected pope of the early Christian Church. He served until 250, when he became the first martyr under Decius, the emperor who initiated the Roman Empire-wide persecution of Christians.

Today in Music History for Jan. 10: In 1917, legendary record producer Jerry Wexler was born in The Bronx, N.Y.

Today in Music History for Jan. 9: In 1939, producer Alfred Lion recorded boogie-woogie pianists Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons at a session in New York.

Today in History for Jan. 9: In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1793, Frenchman Jean Pierre Blanchard, using a hot-air balloon, flew between Philadelphia and Woodbury, N.J.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 9: Actress K. Callan is 88. Singer Joan Baez is 83. Guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is 80. Actor John Doman (``Gotham'') is 79. Singer David Johansen (a.k.a. Buster Poindexter) is 74. Singer Crystal Gayle is 73.