Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for July 13: In 1769, hymn-writer Thomas Kelly, an Irish Episcopal clergyman, was born. He authored 765 hymns, including "Praise the Savior," "Ye Who Know Him.

Today in Music History for July 18: In 1903, Canadian soprano Beatrice LaPalme made her Covent Garden debut. She was a last-minute substitute in the role of "Musetta" in a gala performance of "La Boheme" attended by King Edward VII.

Today in Music History for July 14: In 1912, folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Okla.

Today in History for July 18: On this date: In A.D. 64, the Great Fire of Rome began. In 1536, the English Parliament passed an act declaring the authority of the pope void in England. In 1739, a census put Canada's population at 42,701.

Today in History for July 16: On this date: In 622, Prophet Mohammad fled from Mecca, where he was despised and persecuted, to the northern city of Medina, marking the day of beginning of Hegira, the Islamic calendar.

Today in Music History for July 15: In 1908, Canadian soprano Louise Edvina made her professional debut at Covent Garden in London, as "Marguerite" in the opera "Faust." The Montreal-born Edvina became one of the British capital's favourite artists.

Today in Music History for July 17: In 1674, Isaac Watts, innovative pioneer of modern English hymn writing, was born.

Today in Music History for July 16: In 1952, Stewart Copeland, drummer with the rock band "The Police," was born in Alexandria, Va.

Today in History for July 13: On this date: In 100 B.C., Julius Caesar, the most famous general in Roman history, was born. In 1762, Czar Peter III of Russia was dethroned in a coup.

Today in History for July 17: On this date: In 1505, future church reformer, Martin Luther entered the Augustinian monastic order at Erfurt in present day eastern Germany. He was 21. In 1674, the second census of Canada showed a population of 6,705.