Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Dec. 28: In 1842, Calixa Lavallee, the composer of "O Canada," was born in Vercheres, Lower Canada (now Quebec). The song, with words by Judge A.B.

Today in Music History for Dec. 27: In 1927, "Show Boat," one of the most influential works in the history of the American musical theatre, premiered in New York.

Today in History for Dec. 30: On this date: In 1384, the English religious reformer John Wycliffe died of a stroke. He was a bold critic of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church and believed the Church should return to the Scriptures.

Today in Music History for Dec. 25: In 1641, Rev. Jean de Brebeuf composed "Jesus, He is Born (The Huron Carol)," the song considered to be New France's first Christmas carol written in the Huron language.

Today in History for Dec. 29: On this date: In 1170, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was murdered on the altar of Canterbury Cathedral by knights of King Henry II. In 1813, the British burned Buffalo, N.Y., during the War of 1812.

Today in History for Dec. 28: On this date: In 1065, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor. In 1694, Queen Mary II of England died after more than five years of joint rule with her husband, King William III.

Today in Music History for Dec. 26: In 1791, a cantata by English composer John Bentley was performed in Quebec City at the constitutional meeting which marked the partition of the colony into Upper and Lower Canada.

Today in Music History for Dec. 24: In 1818, the Christmas carol "Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.

Today in History for Dec. 25: On this date: Christian tradition associates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem with Dec. 25th, however the exact day and year of Christ's birth have never been determined. The year 6 B.C.

Today in History for Dec. 27: On this date: In 1571, Johannes Kepler, the German astronomer who confirmed Copernicus' theory that the Earth and planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits, was born.