Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for March 7: In 1875, composer Maurice Ravel was born in Cibourne, France. He became a leading exponent of impressionism, a style of music in which atmosphere and mood take the place of strong emotion.

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.

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.

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 History for March 9: On this date: In 1541, Jean-Francois de la Rocque Roberval obtained authorization from France to take criminals to Canada to found a colony.

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 March 3: In 1801, David Emanuel, the first Jewish governor in the United States, took office in Georgia. In 1841, Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson's Bay Co., began a trip around the world. The trip would take 20 months.

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.

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 History for March 7: On this date: In 1274, Thomas Aquinas, considered one of the most significant theologians of all time, died. He's best known for his Summa Theologiae or A summation of Theological Knowledge.