Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 20: In 1265, England's Parliament, representing English districts, cities and boroughs, met for the first time. In 1783, Britain and the United States signed an armistice, and fighting in the Revolutionary War ceased on Feb.

Today in Music History for Jan. 20: In 1889, Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Leadbelly, was born in Morningsport, La. Leadbelly, popular during the 1930s and '40s, was probably the first country blues artist to become known to the white audience.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 19: Actress Tippi Hedren is 95. Movie director Richard Lester is 93. Country singer Stu Phillips is 92. Former CTV News anchor Lloyd Robertson is 91. Actor-singer Michael Crawford is 83.

Today in History for Jan. 19: In 570, according to tradition, the Muslim Prophet Muhammad was born. In 1200, Zen Master Dogen, an important figure in Japanese Buddhism, was born. In 1563, the ``Heidelberg Catechism'' was first published in Germany.

Today in Music History for Jan. 19: In 1853, ``Il Trovatore'' by Giuseppe Verdi, the foremost Italian composer of opera, premiered in Rome.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 18: Movie director John Boorman is 92. Jazz pianist and bassist Don Thompson is 85. Singer-songwriter Bobby Goldsboro is 84. Comedian-singer Brett Hudson of the Hudson Brothers is 72. Actor-director Kevin Costner is 70.

Today in Music History for Jan. 18: In 1908, composer Henry Herbert Godfrey, who wrote some of Canada's most popular patriotic songs at the turn of the century, died in Montreal at the age of 50.

Today in History for Jan. 18: In 1535, Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistador, founded Lima, Peru.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 24: Fiddler Doug Kershaw is 89. Singer Ray Stevens is 86. Singer Aaron Neville is 84. Singer Neil Diamond is 84. Actor Michael Ontkean (``Twin Peaks'') is 79. Country singer-songwriter Becky Hobbs is 75.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 21: World Golf Hall-of-Famer Jack Nicklaus is 85. Opera singer Placido Domingo is 84. Actress Jill Eikenberry is 78. Guitarist Jim Ibbotson (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 78. Singer-songwriter Billy Ocean is 75.