Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Oct. 13: In 1941, singer Paul Simon was born in Newark, N.J. Between 1962 and 1970, he and partner Art Garfunkel were the most popular duo in rock music. "Simon and Garfunkel's" No.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 12: Singer Sam Moore of Sam and Dave is 88. Actress-singer Susan Anton is 73. Donnie Dacus, guitarist with Chicago, is 72. Pop/rock singer/songwriter Jane Siberry is 68. Jazz musician Chris Botti is 61.

Today in History for Oct. 12: In 451, nearly 600 bishops of the Christian church began meeting at the Second Ecumenical Council.

Today in Music History for Oct. 12: In 1609, "Three Blind Mice," believed to be the earliest printed secular song, was published in London.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 11: English soccer legend Bobby Charlton is 86. Indian actor, director, producer Amitabh Bachchan is 81. Country singer Gene Watson is 80. Singer Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates is 77.

Today in History for Oct. 11: In 1521, Pope Leo X gave Henry VIII of England the title "Fidei Defensor," or Defender of the Faith. Thirteen years later, Henry severed all ties with Rome to establish the Church of England.

Today in Music History for Oct. 11: In 1882, composer and music educator Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville, now Niagara Falls, Ont. Dett, who spent most of his life in the U.S., was dedicated to the cause of black music in America.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 10: Actor Peter Coyote is 82. Actor Charles Dance ("Game of Thrones") is 77. Actor-dancer Ben Vereen is 77. Singer Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers is 75. Author Nora Roberts (aka "J.D. Robb") is 73.

Today in History for Oct. 10: In 1582, the Spanish Carmelite nun Teresa of Avila died in Alba de Tormes. After entering the Convent of the Incarnation of Avila in 1536, she went on to found 16 other Carmelite convents between 1567 and 1582.

Today in Music History for Oct. 10: In 1813, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi was born in Le Roncole. Among Verdi's major successes were "Rigoletto," produced in 1851, and "Il Trovatore" and "La Traviata," both staged in 1853. Verdi died in 1901.