Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 8: Entertainment reporter Rona Barrett is 88. Actor Paul Hogan is 85. Singer Fred Cash of The Impressions is 84. Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson is 83. Actor-comedian Chevy Chase is 81. Author R.L.

Today in Music History for Oct. 8: In 1931, conductor, violinist and music teacher Luigi von Kunits, the founder of the New Symphony Orchestra, died in Toronto at the age of 61. The New Symphony became the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927.

Today in History for Oct. 8: On this date: In 1354, Italian revolutionary Cola di Rienzi was murdered. In 1642, Jeanne Mance established the first hospital in Montreal, the Hotel-Dieu. In 1871, a huge fire destroyed the heart of Chicago.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 7: Author Thomas Keneally is 89. Montreal Symphony Orchestra conductor Charles Dutoit is 88. TV personality Joy Behar ("The View") is 82. Drummer Kevin Godley of 10cc is 79. Actress Jill Larson is 77.

Today in Music History for Oct. 7: In 1832, Charles Converse, American lawyer and sacred composer, was born. He penned the hymn tune for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Today in History for Oct. 7: On this date, In 1663, Jean Baptiste Le Gardeur de Repentigny was chosen as the first mayor of Quebec. In 1737, iron was first smelted in Canada, at St-Maurice, Que.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 6: British broadcaster and writer Melvyn Bragg is 85. Actress Britt Ekland is 82. Singer-guitarist Thomas McClary (The Commodores) is 75. Musician Sid McGinnis is 75. Science fiction author David Brin is 74.

Today in Music History for Oct. 6: In 1908, Canadian composer and musicologist Francois Brassard was born in St. Jerome, Que. He is best known for his work in research, compilation, editing and harmonizing of French-Canadian folk songs.

Today in History for Oct. 6: On this date: In 1520, German reformer Martin Luther published his Prelude on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, his famous writing which attacked the entire sacramental system of the Catholic Church.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 5: '60s country singer Margie Singleton is 89. Singer Arlene Smith of The Chantels is 83. Singer-guitarist Steve Miller is 81. Singer Brian Johnson of AC/DC is 77. Actress Karen Allen is 73.