Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Aug. 28: In 1948, Danny Seraphine, the original drummer and founding member of "Chicago," was born in the city from which the group takes its name.

Today in Music History for Aug. 30: In 1919, "The Queen of Country Music" Kitty Wells was born Ellen Muriel Deason in Nashville. She took her stage name from an old folk song, "Sweet Kitty Wells.

Today in Music History for Aug. 26: In 1907, the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto opened with the musical revue "Top of the World." It was the world's first fully fireproof theatre and the first to be air-conditioned.

Today in History for Aug. 27: On this date: In 1612, landing in his ship "The Discovery," Captain Thomas Button became the first European to winter in Manitoba. In 1758, Fort Frontenac, now Kingston, Ont., was captured and destroyed by the British.

Today in History for Aug. 30: On this date: In 30 B.C., Cleopatra, the celebrated queen of Egypt, committed suicide. In 1463, King Louis XI died after ruling France for 22 years.

Today in History for Aug. 29: On this date: In 1583, the "Delight," one of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's ships, ran aground and was lost at Sable Island, drowning 85 people, in one of Canada's first marine disasters.

Today in History for Aug. 25: On this date: In 1530, Ivan the Terrible, Czar of Muscovy, was born. He ascended to the Russian throne at the age of three and eventually became the first czar.

Today in Music History for Aug. 25: In 1817, Joseph Mohr began serving as pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria.

Today in History for Aug. 24: On this date: In 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing 20,000 people.

Today in Music History for Aug. 24: In 1841, cellist Henri Billet, who may well have been the first Russian musician to visit Canada, appeared at the Theatre royal in Quebec City.