Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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.

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 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.

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: On this date: 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 History for March 2: In 1492, 800,000 Jews were banished from Spain by King Ferdinand V. In 1699, French explorer Sieur d'Iberville located the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Today in History for Feb. 16: In 1838, an act of the British Parliament suspended the constitution in Lower Canada. In 1872, the first session of the British Columbia legislature opened. In 1878, the silver dollar became legal currency in the U.S.

Today in Music History for Feb. 16: In 1865, English clergyman Sabine Baring-Gould first published the hymn, ``Now the Day is Over.'' It was based on the text of Prov 3:24: ``When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid...

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 16: Jazz/pop singer-actress Peggy King is 94. Actor William Katt (``Greatest American Hero'') is 73. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Lanny McDonald is 71. Actor LeVar Burton is 67. Rapper-actor Ice-T is 66.

Today in Music History for Feb. 15: In 1918, country singer Hank Locklin was born in McLellan, Fla.