Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Dec. 24: On this date: In 1524, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese navigator who found the sea route from Europe to the East, died in Cochin, India.

Today in Music History for Dec. 29: In 1849, the Christmas hymn by Edmund Sears, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," was first published in "The Christian Register." In 1939, Radio Luxembourg was given government permission to begin broadcasting.

Today in History for Dec. 15: In 1791, the U.S. Bill of Rights went into effect, following ratification by Virginia. In 1890, Chief Sitting Bull, whose Sioux forces had wiped out Gen.

Today in Music History for Dec. 15: In 1846, mezzo-soprano and actress Rosita del Vecchio, known as the Sarah Bernhardt of Canada, was born in Montreal.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 15: Singer Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes is 84. Drummer Dave Clark of the Dave Clark Five is 84. Drummer Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge is 77. Actress Melanie Chartoff ("Rugrats," ''Parker Lewis Can't Lose") is 75.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 14: Singer-actress Abbe Lane is 91. Actor Hal Williams ("227," ''Sanford and Son") is 89. Singer Joyce Vincent-Wilson of Tony Orlando and Dawn is 77. Entertainment executive Michael Ovitz is 77. Actress Dee Wallace is 75.

Today in Music History for Dec. 14: In 1836, Frances Ridley Havergal, English devotional writer, was born. In frail health most of her life, Havergal nevertheless authored such hymns as "Take My Life" and "Let It Be" and "I Gave My Life for Thee.

Today in History for Dec. 14: In 1503, French physician and prophet Nostradamus was born. He remains famous today for his book “The Prophecies,” which was first published in 1555.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 13: Actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke is 98. Country singer Buck White of The Whites is 93. Music/film producer Lou Adler is 90. Actor-singer John Davidson is 82. Trombonist, arranger and composer Russ Little is 82.

Today in Music History for Dec. 13: In 1835, Phillips Brooks, American Episcopal clergyman and hymn writer, was born.