Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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.

Today In Music History for Feb. 29: In 1792, composer Gioacchino Antonio Rossini was born in Italy. Rossini is best known for his operas The Barber of Seville and William Tell. He died in 1868.

Today is Feb. 29: Leap Year Birthdays: Former space shuttle astronaut Jack Lousma is 22 (88) (born 1936). Motivational speaker Tony Robbins is 16 (64) (born 1960). Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. is 13 (52) (born 1972).

Today in History for Feb. 28: In 1759, for the first time, Pope Clement XIII permitted the Bible to be translated and made available in the languages of all peoples in the Roman Catholic states.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 28: Architect Frank Gehry is 95. Singer Sam the Sham is 87. Actor-director-dancer Tommy Tune is 85. Hall of Fame auto racer Mario Andretti is 84. Singer Donnie Iris is 81. Actress Kelly Bishop ("Gilmore Girls") is 80.

Today in Music History for Feb. 28: In 1929, Montreal-born Wilfrid Pelletier became a regular conductor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, a position he held until 1950.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 27: Actress Joanne Woodward is 94. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 90. Actress Barbara Babcock is 87. Actress Debra Monk is 75. Guitarist Neal Schon of Journey is 70. Guitarist Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden is 67.

Today in Music History for Feb. 27: In 1924, Sir Henry Thornton, president of the CNR, opened radio station CNRO in Ottawa. It was one of a series of CNR operated studios that opened across the country.