Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for April 26: In 1886, pioneer blues singer Gertrude "Ma" Rainey was born in Columbus, Ga., During her heyday in the 1920s, she was billed as the "Mother of the Blues" and served as a model for the more famous Bessie Smith.

Today in History for April 24: In 1626, French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed from Dieppe on his 11th voyage to Canada. In 1800, the U.S. Library of Congress was established in Washington, D.C.

Today in Music History for April 24: In 1792, the French national anthem "La Marseillaise" was composed by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle. In 1897, the first "Halifax Symphony Orchestra" gave its inaugural concert at the Academy of Music.

Today in Music History for April 23: In 1920, Canadian string instrument builder Frank Gay was born in Marcelin, Sask.

Today in Music History for April 22: In 1922, bassist Charles Mingus, a leader in modern jazz, was born in Arizona. He started with the traditional jazz outfits of Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory and Lionel Hampton.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 11: Actor Joel Grey is 93. Actress Louise Lasser is 86. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Ellen Goodman is 84. Movie writer-director John Milius is 81. Actor Peter Riegart ("Animal House") is 78.

Today in Music History for April 11: In 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis' first wife, Jane Mitcham, filed for divorce. Lewis had already secretly married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown.

Today in History for April 11: In 1506, construction began on the new St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican under the guidance of Pope Julius II, who enlisted the talents of Michelangelo and Raphael.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 10: Actor Steven Seagal is 73. Singer Terre Roche of The Roches is 72. Actor Peter MacNicol ("Numb3rs," ''Ally McBeal") is 71. Singer-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is 67. Musician Brian Setzer is 66.

Today in Music History for April 10: In 787, the church of St. Corneille at Compiegne installed an organ at the request of Frankish King Pepin, in what is modern-day France. This is the first recorded mention of this musical instrument.