Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Nov. 9 In 1674, the great English poet John Milton died in London. His most famous work was "Paradise Lost," an epic poem about man's fall from God's grace. In 1836, Christian business traveller Samuel Hill was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 8: Actor Alain Delon is 88. Singer Bonnie Bramlett is 79. Guitarist Roy Wood, founder of Electric Light Orchestra, is 77. Singer Bonnie Raitt is 74. Former "Entertainment Tonight" host Mary Hart is 73.

Today in History for Nov. 8 In 1308, medieval scholar Duns Scotus died. His given name led to the introduction of the word dunce.

Today in Music History for Nov. 8: In 1887, the gramophone was patented by American Thomas Edison. In 1910, "The Dubois String Quartet" gave its first performance at Windsor Hall in Montreal.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 7: Former federal NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin is 87. Singer Johnny Rivers is 81. Former supermodel Jean Shrimpton is 81. Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is 80. Mezzo-soprano Judith Forst is 80.

Today in Music History for Nov. 7: In 1920, accordionist Gaby Haas, once proclaimed as "Canada's Mr. Polka," was born in Czechoslovakia. He became a Canadian citizen in 1943.

Today in History for Nov. 7: In 1659, the Pyrenees were designated as the boundary between France and Spain, thus ending a 24-year war between the two countries. In 1665, the "London Gazette" was published for the first time.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 6: Actress June Squibb is 94. Singer P.J. Proby is 85. Singer Bill Henderson (Chilliwack) is 79. Actress Sally Field is 77 Children's entertainer Fred Penner is 77. Jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is 74.

Today in Music History for Nov. 6: In 1814, Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, was born in Belgium. In 1854, John Philip Sousa, the king of American march music, was born in Washington, D.C.

Today in History for Nov. 6: In 1689, blacks arrived by ship to Quebec -- probably the first recorded use of black slaves in Canada.