Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for June 7: In 1904, the Haskell Opera House was opened in Rock Island on the Quebec-Vermont border. Now classified as a historic site, it also includes a library on the main floor.

Today in Music History for June 5: In 1926, singer Bill Hayes was born in Harvey, Ill. He had a No. 1 hit in 1955 with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," outselling a version by Fess Parker, star of the Disney movie. Coonskin hats were big that year.

Today in Music History for June 4: In 1894, Quebec singer and songwriter La Bolduc (Mary Rose-Anna Travers,) was born in Newport, Que.

Today in History for June 3: In 1097, Crusaders recaptured the ancient Christian city of Antioch, in present-day Turkey, from Muslim rule. In 1621, the Dutch West Indies Co. was founded to promote trade and colonization in the Americas.

Today in History for June 2: In 1615, the first missionaries to come to Canada, the Recoletts, arrived in Quebec. In 1740, the Marquis de Sade -- writer, philosopher and revolutionary -- was born in Paris. In 1835, P.T.

Today in History for June 7: In 1329, Scotland's national hero, Robert the Bruce, died of leprosy he had contracted during his campaigns against the English. In 1502, Pope Gregory XIII was born Ugo Buoncompagni in Bologna, Italy.

Today in History for June 5: In 754, St. Boniface died. He was known as the apostle of Germany for his missionary work in Europe.

Today in History for June 6: In 1683, the first public museum, The Ashmolean, was opened in Oxford, England. In 1844, the YMCA -- the Young Men's Christian Association -- was founded in London by George Williams and a group of associates.

Today in Music History for June 2: In 1857, English composer Sir Edward Elgar was born. Music composed in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee brought him public recognition.

Today in Music History for June 6: In 1939, singer Gary U.S. Bonds, whose real name is Gary Anderson, was born in Jacksonville, Fla. Bonds had a string of energetic dance records in the early '60s, topped by "Quarter to Three," which reached No.