Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Dec. 21: In 1672, Benjamin Schmolck, German Lutheran clergyman and prolific hymn writer, was born. Though a busy pastor, he found time to pen 900 hymns, the best remembered of them being "My Jesus, As Thou Wilt.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 21: Talk show host Phil Donahue is 88. Former governor-general Edward Schreyer is 88. Actress Jane Fonda is 86. Actor Larry Bryggman is 85. Singer Carla Thomas is 81. Guitarist Albert Lee is 80.

Today in History for Dec. 21: In 1266, the last stand of the first English parliamentarians ended when rebels surrendered Kenilworth Castle to the king after a six-month siege.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 20: Actor Tommy Cole ("The Mickey Mouse Club") is 82. Drummer Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat and Tears is 79. Former KISS drummer Peter Criss is 78. Producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") is 77.

Today in History for Dec. 20: In 1699, Russian Czar Peter the Great ordered his people to celebrate the New Year on January 1, instead of Sept. 1. In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I.

Today in Music History for Dec. 20: In 1944, drummer Bobby Colomby of the big band rock group "Blood, Sweat and Tears" was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 19: Actress Elaine Joyce is 80. Actor Tim Reid is 79. Musician John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 78. Country singer Janie Fricke is 76. Jazz musician Lenny White is 74. Keyboardist Doug Johnson (Loverboy) is 66.

Today in History for Dec. 19: In 1813, fur trader James McGill died in Montreal, leaving 10,000 pounds to establish the university that would bear his name. In 1813, a British-Canadian force took Fort Niagara in the War of 1812.

Today in Music History for Dec. 19: In 1808, Horatius Bonar, Scottish clergyman, poet and hymn writer, was born. He authored several missionary biographies and penned over 600 hymns, including "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.

Today in History for Dec. 18: In 1707, English hymn writer Charles Wesley was born. He wrote more than 6,500 hymns, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." In 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.