Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for April 15: Actress Claudia Cardinale ("Son of the Pink Panther") is 87. British singer-songwriter Marty Wilde (born Reginald Smith) is 86. Author and politician Jeffrey Archer is 85. Singer-guitarist Dave Edmunds is 81.

Today in History for April 26: In 322, St. Basil was martyred by torture and beheading after he sheltered a young Christian woman named Glaphiga from the clutches of Roman Emperor Lucinius. In 387, St.

Today in History for April 22: In 1233, the Dominicans were established in France as operators of the Inquisition by a decree of Pope Gregory IX. Their methods included torture and execution, usually by fire.

Today in History for April 25: In 912, Venice was founded and its main square named after St. Mark to honour his feast day. In 1214, Louis IX, king of France and saint, was born.

Today in History for April 23: In 34, Jesus Christ was crucified, according to mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton, one of the foremost scientific intellects of all time. In 303, St.

Today in History for April 20: In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier left St-Malo on his first voyage to Canada.

Today in Music History for April 20: In 1908, jazz percussionist, vibraphone virtuoso and bandleader Lionel Hampton was born in Louisville, Ky.

Today in History for April 21: In 753 B.C., the city of Rome was founded. In 1142, controversial French theologian, philosopher and musician Peter Abelard died. He was a monk at the monastery of Cluny.

Today in Music History for April 21: In 1921, Canadian tenor Roger Doucet was born in Montreal. He was best-known for singing "O Canada" at the home games of the Montreal Canadiens, Alouettes and Expos.

Today in Music History for April 25: In 1800, English poet and hymn writer William Cowper died. He wrote such enduring hymns as "God Moves in Mysterious Ways" (1774) and "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood" (1771).