Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for May 29: Actor Anthony Geary ("General Hospital") is 78. Actor Cotter Smith is 76. Singer Rebbie Jackson is 75. Movie composer/musician Danny Elfman is 72. Singer LaToya Jackson is 69.

Today in Music History for May 29: In 1837, Charles W. Fry, the English musician who, along with his three sons, formed the first Salvation Army brass band, was born. Fry also authored the hymn, "Lily of the Valley.

Today in History for May 29: In 526, Antioch, in present-day Turkey, was struck by an earthquake, killing about 250,000 people. In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople, bringing the Eastern Roman Empire to an end.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 28: Producer-director Irwin Winkler is 95. Actress Carroll Baker is 94. Annette and Cecile of the Dionne quintuplets are 91. Singer Gladys Knight is 81. Singer Billy Vera is 81. Actor Jean-Pierre Leaud is 81.

Today in History for May 28: In 1089, Lanfranc, the first Norman Archbishop of Canterbury, died. During his time as archbishop, he rebuilt the cathedral, based on the design of his former abbey in Caen, in northern France.

Today in Music History for May 28: In 1878, Canadian soprano Louise Edvina was born in Montreal. She spent much of her career in London, and became one of the city's favourite artists in the early 1900s.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 27: Actress Lee Meriwether is 90. Actor Bruce Weitz is 82. Singer Bruce Cockburn is 80. Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 75. Actor Richard Schiff ("The West Wing") is 70.

Today in History for May 27: In 1534, Jacques Cartier explored Belle Isle on his second voyage to Canada. In 1564, John Calvin, a leader of the Protestant Reformation, died in Geneva at age 54.

Today in Music History for May 27: In 1799, George Washington Doane, American Episcopal clergyman, was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 26: Opera singer Teresa Stratas is 87. Sportscaster Brent Musburger is 86. Drummer Garry Peterson of The Guess Who is 80. Singer Stevie Nicks is 77. Actor Philip Michael Thomas ("Miami Vice") is 76.