Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for March 11: In 1829, composer Felix Mendelsson sparked a revival of interest in the music of J.S. Bach after he conducted the St. Matthew Passion, almost a century after the date of its first performance.

Today in Music History for March 10: In 1903, legendary jazz cornet player Bix Beiderbecke was born in Davenport, Iowa. The sordid details of his tragically short life have tended to overshadow the remarkable music he produced.

Today in History for March 15: On this date: In 44 BC, Roman General Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome by a group of nobles that included Brutus and Cassius. In 453, Attila the Hun died of a nose bleed.

Today in History for March 16: On this date: In AD 37, Roman emperor Tiberius died. He was succeeded by Caligula. In 1521, the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippine Islands.

Today in History for March 13: On this date: In 1456, according to tradition, Johann Gutenberg first published the Bible using movable type. In 1462, the first dated Bible was printed in Latin in Mainz, Germany.

Today in History for March 11: On this date: In 843, Eastern churches officially reintroduced and sanctioned icons, after an 89-year controversy.

Today in History for March 1: In 589 (traditional date): David of Wales, patron saint of Wales, died. In 1562, Roman Catholic troops killed Protestants at Vassy, France, in an incident that precipitated the Wars of Religion.

Today in Music History for March 1: In 1810, Polish composer Frederic Chopin, who brought romantic piano music to new heights, was born near Warsaw. He established the piano as a solo instrument, free from the influence of an orchestra or chorus.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 1: Jazz pianist and guitarist Ralph Towner is 84. Singer Mike D'Abo of Manfred Mann is 80. Singer Roger Daltrey of The Who is 80. Actor Dirk Benedict ("The A Team") is 79.

Today is Feb. 29: In 1288, women in Scotland were given the legal right to propose to men. In 1712, General Montcalm, hero of the French and Indian War, was born in Condiac, France. In 1904, U.S.