Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 11: On this date: 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.

Today in History for Jan. 9: On this date: 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.

Today in History for Jan. 7: On this date: In 1450, in Scotland, the University of Glasgow was founded. In 1610, Italian astronomer Galileo discovered the four satellites of Jupiter and named them Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Today in Music History for Jan. 7: In 1868, the most ambitious musical composition inspired by Confederation, "Cantate: la Confederation" by Jean-Baptiste Labelle, was performed at the city hall in Montreal.

Today in History for Jan. 8: On this date: In 1324, explorer Marco Polo died at age 70.

Today in Music History for Dec. 29: In 1849, the Christmas hymn by Edmund Sears, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," was first published in "The Christian Register." In 1939, Radio Luxembourg was given government permission to begin broadcasting.

Today in History for Dec. 29: In 1170, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was murdered on the altar of Canterbury Cathedral by knights of King Henry II. In 1813, the British burned Buffalo, N.Y., during the War of 1812.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 29: Former ABC newscaster Tom Jarriel is 89. Actress Barbara Steele is 86. Actor Jon Voight is 85. Singer-commedienne Dinah Christie is 81. Singer Marianne Faithfull is 77. Hall of Fame Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. is 77.

Today in Music History for Dec. 28: In 1842, Calixa Lavallee, the composer of "O Canada," was born in Vercheres, Lower Canada (now Quebec). The song, with words by Judge A.B.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 28: Actress Dame Maggie Smith ("Harry Potter") is 89. Singer-keyboardist Edgar Winter is 77. Drummer Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste of The Meters is 75. Pianist Richard Clayderman is 70. Actor Denzel Washington is 69.