Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Dec. 16: On this date: In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.

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

Today in Music History for Dec. 10: In 1943, Chad Stuart of the 1960s duo "Chad and Jeremy," was born in England. Their popularity rivalled that of another British pairing of the period, "Peter and Gordon.

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 Music History for Dec. 11: In 1882, Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "Iolanthe" was performed at the Bijou Theater in Boston, the first U.S. playhouse to be lighted exclusively by electricity.

Today in History for Dec. 12: On this date: In 1783, New Brunswick's first newspaper, the "Royal Saint John Gazette and Nova Scotian Intelligencer," was published. In 1787, Pennsylvania became the second U.S. state. In 1870, Joseph H.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 1: Actor-director Woody Allen is 88. Singer Dianne Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 84. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Lee Trevino is 84. Television producer David Salzman is 80.

Today in History for Dec. 1: 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. 30: Country singer-record company executive Jimmy Bowen is 86. Director Ridley Scott is 86. Movie writer-director Terrence Malick is 80. Leo Lyons, bass guitarist with Ten Years After, is 80.