Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Oct. 27: In 1782, Niccolo Paganini, the Italian violinist whose virtuosity became a legend, was born in Genoa. He died in 1840 of cancer of the larynx.

Today in History for Oct.

Today in History for Oct. 27: On this date: In 1746, William Tennent, a Scottish Presbyterian pastor and theologian, obtained a charter for the College of New Jersey, later to be called Princeton University.

Today in History for Oct. 26: On this date: In 1774, the American Congress invited Canada to join the 13 colonies opposing Britain.

Today in History for Oct. 25: On this date: In 1147, the armies of the Second Crusade were destroyed by the Saracens at Dorylaeum in modern Turkey. The Crusaders went on with fruitless campaigns against Damascus, Syria.

Today in History for Oct. 24: On this date: In 1260, under Pope Alexander IV, Chartres Cathedral in France was consecrated. Completed in less than 30 years, the structure represents high Gothic architecture at its purest.

Today in History for Oct. 23: On this date: In 4004 BC, according to the sacred timeline worked out by Archbishop James Ussher, "the heavens and the earth" were created on this date at 9 a.m. (GMT).

Today in History for Oct. 22: On this date: In 1692, a 14-year-old girl repelled an Iroquois attack on Vercheres near Montreal. Marie-Madeleine de Vercheres took charge and rallied people inside the fort.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 13: Singer Nana Mouskouri is 89. Gospel singer Shirley Caesar is 85. Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Paul Simon is 82. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is 81. Keyboardist Robert Lamm of Chicago is 79. Country singer Lacy J.

Today in History for Oct. 13: In A.D. 54, Roman Emperor Claudius I died after being poisoned, apparently at the behest of his wife, Agrippina. In 1399, King Henry IV of England was crowned.