Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Aug. 17: On this date: In 1502, Christopher Columbus took possession of what is now Honduras in the name of Spain. In 1761, William Carey, pioneer English missionary to India, was born.

Today in Music History for Aug. 23: In 1912, singer-dancer-director Gene Kelly was born in Pittsburgh. He first gained fame in 1941 in the Broadway musical "Pal Joey." The following year he starred in the film "For Me and My Gal" with Judy Garland.

Today in Music History for Aug. 20: In 1920, the first commercial radio station in the United States, 8-MK in Detroit, began daily broadcasting. The station later became WWJ.

Today in Music History for Aug. 22: In 1741, George Frederic Handel began composing "The Messiah." He finished the work on Sept. 14. In 1831, William Cummings, a leading English musicologist, was born.

Today in History for Aug. 19: On this date: In 1099, the armies of the First Crusade defeated the Saracens at the "Battle of Ascalon," a historic Palestinian city on the Mediterranean coast, one month after they had captured Jerusalem.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 8: Actress Nita Talbot is 95. Actor Dustin Hoffman is 88. Actress Connie Stevens is 87. Country singer Phil Balsley of The Statler Brothers is 86. Actor Larry Wilcox ("CHiPS") is 78.

Today in History for Aug. 8: On this date: In 1471, Thomas Kempis, Dutch mystic and devotional author, died at age 91. His book "The Imitation of Christ" remains in print, a guide to cultivating the inner human spirit.

Today in Music History for Aug. 8: In 1911, Canadian violinist Frederick Grinke was born in Winnipeg. He was known for his performances of 20th-century English music.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 7: American humourist Garrison Keillor is 83. Singer Lana Cantrell is 82. Actor John Glover is 81. Actor David Rasche is 81. Classical pianist Louis-Philippe Pelletier is 80.

Today in History for Aug. 7: On this date: In AD 117, Roman emperor Marcus Trajan died at age 65. His attitude toward Christianity gradually changed from toleration to persecution.