Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Nov. 29: In 1880, the 1,100-seat Grand Opera House opened in Hamilton, Ont. It gave the city a proper auditorium for theatrical and musical presentations, and attracted top North American touring companies.

Today in Music History for Nov. 30: In 1915, blues singer and guitarist Brownie McGhee, best known for his collaborations with harmonica player Sonny Terry, was born in Knoxville, Tenn.

Today in History for Dec. 1: On this date: In 1680, a comet appeared close to Earth and was clearly visible until the end of February. In 1841, the first copyright in Canada was issued for "A Canadian Spelling Book.

Today in Music History for Dec. 1: In 1884, Saskatoon’s first concert was presented by the Pioneer Society. It featured solos, duets, choruses, readings and recitations. In 1913, Broadway musical star Mary Martin was born in Weatherford, Texas.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 17: Singer-songwriter Bob Gaudio of The Four Seasons is 81. Movie director Martin Scorsese is 81. Actress Lauren Hutton is 80. "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels is 79. Actor-director Danny DeVito is 79.

Today in History for Nov. 17: On this date: In 1558, Queen Mary I, known as Bloody Mary, who tried to return Protestant Britain to Catholicism, died.

Today in Music History for Nov. 17: In 1938, singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who became Canada's most famous, and arguably most important, pop musician in the late 1960s, was born in Orillia, Ont.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 16: Journalist Elizabeth Drew is 88. Country singer-songwriter Troy Seals is 85. Blues musician W.C. Clark is 84. Actress Joanna Pettet ("Knots Landing") is 81. World champion figure skater Maria Jelinek is 81.

Today in Music History for Nov. 16: In 1908, conductor Arturo Toscanini made his debut with the New York Metropolitan Opera with a performance of Verdi's "Aida.

Today in History for Nov. 16: On this date: In 1686, Britain and France signed the Treaty of Neutrality governing possession in North America in the event of war in Europe.