Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Feb. 27: In 380, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official faith of the Roman Empire. In 425, Roman Emperor Theodosius II founded the first university in the western world in Constantinople (now Istanbul), Turkey.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 26: Actor-director Bill Duke is 81. Actress Marta Kristen ("Lost in Space") is 79. Singer Mitch Ryder is 79. British pop vocalist Sandie Shaw is 77. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain of Journey is 74. Singer Michael Bolton is 71.

Today in Music History for Feb. 26: In 1923, the Winnipeg Male Voice Choir performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The New York Post said the performance placed the choir in "the very front rank.

Today in History for Feb. 26: In 398, John Chrysostom, considered by scholars as the greatest preacher of the early church, was appointed bishop of Constantinople. His preaching earned him the name Chrysostom: "golden-mouth.

Today in History for Feb. 25: In 616 (traditional date): Ethelbert, first Christian English king and instigator of the first written code of British law, died.

Today in Music History for Feb. 25: In 1873, Enrico Caruso, universally regarded as the world's greatest operatic tenor, was born in Naples, Italy.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 25: Actress Ann McCrea (``The Donna Reed Show'') is 93. Actor Tom Courtenay (``Dr. Zhivago'') is 87. CBS newsman Bob Schieffer is 87. Actress Diane Baker is 86.

Today in Music History for Feb. 24: In 1897, Emile Berliner took out a Canadian patent on his gramophone talking machine. Manufacturing facilities were set up in Montreal.

Today in History for Feb. 24: In 1446, the earliest known lottery was drawn in Bruges, Belgium.

Today in History for March 6: On this date: In 1475, Michelangelo, famous for his paintings such as the Sistine Chapel, sculpture including David, and architecture -- the rebuilding of St. Peter's Cathedral -- was born in Caprese, Italy.