Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Aug. 14: On this date: In 1040, King Duncan of Scotland was murdered by Macbeth, who became king and ruled for 17 years. In 1811, Paraguay declared its independence.

Today in Music History for Aug. 15: In 1925, jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was born in Montreal. Peterson began playing on Montreal radio stations and with local dance bands in the early 1940s.

Today in History for Aug. 15: On this date: In 1057, Macbeth, King of Scots, was killed in battle by Malcolm, the eldest son of King Duncan, whom Macbeth had slain.

Today in Music History for Aug. 13: In 1820, engineer and musicologist Sir George Grove, compiler of "Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians," was born in London.

Today in History for Aug. 10: On this date: In 258, St. Lawrence was martyred in Rome. Traditional accounts say that he was slowly roasted on a gridiron. (Modern historians have disputed the account's likelihood.

Today in History for Aug. 13: On this date: In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured present-day Mexico City from the Aztec Indians. In 1792, French revolutionaries imprisoned the royal family.

Today in Music History for Aug. 12: In 1838, Joseph Barnby, English organist and choirmaster, was born. He composed nearly 250 hymn tunes during his life. Of these the most enduring include "Now the Day is Over" and "We Give Thee But Thine Own.

Today in Music History for Aug. 16: In 1935, Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," which turned out be the first million-selling country record by a female singer.

Today in Music History for Aug. 14: In 1810, Samuel S. Wesley, grandson of Methodist hymnwriter Charles Wesley, was born. Samuel Wesley penned over 130 original hymn tunes. The best remembered is "The Church’s One Foundation.

Today in History for Aug. 12: On this date: In 1615, the first mass in Ontario was celebrated by Father Le Caron in a Huron village near Thunder Bay.