Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for July 25: In 1874, "The Maple Leaf Forever," one of Canada's most famous patriotic songs, was said to have been performed for the first time during the laying of the foundation stone for the Christian Baptist Church in Newma

Today in History for July 25: On this date: In 325, the Council of Nicea closed. Regarded as the first ecumenical council, its 300 attending bishops drafted the Nicene Creed and fixed the formula for Easter Sunday.

Today in History for July 23: On this date: In 1621, the Virginia colony was granted the New World's first written constitution. In 1767, the Prince Edward Island land lottery was held in London, England.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 24: Political cartoonist Pat Oliphant is 90. Actor Dan Hedaya is 85. Actor Chris Sarandon is 83. Actor Robert Hays ("Airplane!") is 78. Actor Michael Richards ("Seinfeld") is 76. Actress Lynda Carter is 74.

Today in Music History for July 24: In 1725, John Newton, an English slave ship's captain, was born. He was converted to Christianity at age 22, and entered the Anglican ministry.

Today in History for July 24: On this date: In 1216, Cencio Savelli was consecrated Pope Honorius III. During his 11-year pontificate, he confirmed two well-known religious orders: the Dominicans in 1216 and the Franciscans in 1223.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 23: Actor Ronny Cox is 87. Andy Mackay, horn player with Roxy Music, is 79. Actor Larry Manetti ("Magnum, P.I.") is 78. Singer David Essex is 78. Singer-songwriter and former U.S. Congressman John Hall (Orleans) is 77.

Today in Music History for July 23: In 1846, William Featherstone, Canadian Methodist hymn writer, was born. He penned the words to "My Jesus, I Love Thee" before age 16. In 1918, Joseph Gilmore, American Baptist clergyman, died at age 84.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 22: Actor Terence Stamp is 87. Singer George Clinton is 84. Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, best known as the rider of Secretariat, winner of the U-S Triple Crown in 1973, is 84.

Today in History for July 22: On this date: In 1582, England's first newspaper, the "English Mercurie," began publication. (The newspaper was later claimed to be a literary hoax written by the second Earl of Hardwicke.