Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 21: On this date: In 1525, the first Anabaptist baptismal service took place in Zurich, Switzerland, when Conrad Grebel re-baptized George Blaurock.

Today in Music History for Jan. 22: In 1935, Sam Cooke, who provided the early foundations of soul music through his mixture of gospel music and secular themes, was born in Chicago.

Today in Music History for Jan. 25: In 1899, (Sleepy) John Estes, an important early bluesman, was born in Ripley, Tenn. He played on the streets of Memphis in the 1920s, supporting himself by working the night shift at a trainyard.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 12: Magician-illusionist ``The Amazing Kreskin'' (born George Joseph Kresge) is 89. Country singer William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys is 85. Jim Gold, lead singer of the '70s pop group Gallery, is 77.

Today in History for Jan. 12: In 1519, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I died. In 1598, the Marquis de La Roche was awarded a fur trading monopoly in the New World by the King of France.

Today in Music History for Jan. 12: In 1905, cowboy singer Tex Ritter was born in Texas. Most people remember him singing the title song for the Academy Award-winning film "High Noon" in 1952.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 11: Former prime minister Jean Chretien is 90. Olympic alpine skier Anne Heggtveit is 85. Director Joel Zwick (``My Big Fat Greek Wedding'') is 82. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Ben Crenshaw is 72.

Today in History for Jan. 11: In 1569, England's first state lottery was held to raise money for the construction of harbours. In 1693, an earthquake at Catania, Italy, killed 60,000. In 1759, America's first life insurance company was founded.

Today in Music History for Jan. 11: In 1848, Edward Fisher, founder of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, was born in Jamaica, Vt. He directed the conservatory from its opening in 1887 until his death in 1913.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 10: Opera singer Sherrill Milnes is 89. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Frank Mahovlich is 86. Movie director Walter Hill is 82. Actor William Sanderson (``Deadwood,'' ''Newhart``) is 80. Singer Sir Rod Stewart is 79.