Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Feb. 12: In 1915, blind hymnwriter Fanny Crosby died at age 95 in New York City. She wrote more than 9,000 texts, including ``Safe in the Arms of Jesus'' and ``Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 11: Actress Tina Louise (``Gilligan's Island'') is 90. Musician Sergio Mendes is 83. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame track and field athlete Abby Hoffman is 77.

Today in Music History for Feb. 11: In 1881, mezzo-soprano and actress Rosita del Vecchio, known as the Sarah Bernhardt of Canada, died of bronchial pneumonia at the age of 34.

Today in History for Feb. 11: In 1765, London wig-makers, dismayed that fewer men were wearing wigs, asked King George III to buy their products to spur sales. He declined.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 10: Opera singer Leontyne Price is 97. Actor Robert Wagner is 94. Singer Roberta Flack is 87. Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson is 85. Singer Jimmy Merchant of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers is 84.

Today in History for Feb. 10: In 3641 BC, according to the calculations of the Mayans, the world was created. In AD 60 (traditional date), the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked at Malta.

Today in Music History for Feb. 10: In 1939, singer Roberta Flack was born in Asheville, N.C. She had a half-dozen ballad hits in the 1970s, including three No.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 12: Movie director Costa-Gavras is 91. Actor Joe Don Baker is 88. Author Judy Blume is 86. Country singer Moe Bandy is 80. Actress Maud Adams (``Octopussy'') is 79. Actor Cliff DeYoung is 79. Actor Michael Ironside is 74.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 17: Filmmaker-artist Alejandro Jodorowsky is 95. Actress Christina Pickles (``The Wedding Singer,'' ''St. Elsewhere``) is 89. Actress Brenda Fricker is 79. Pop singer Dodie Stevens is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for Feb. 15: Actress Claire Bloom is 93. Author Susan Brownmiller is 89. Songwriter Brian Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland) is 83. Drummer Mick Avory of The Kinks is 80. Jazz saxophonist Henry Threadgill is 80.