Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for April 29: In 1899, jazz musician, composer and bandleader Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington was born in Washington, D.C.

Today in Music History for April 30: In 1925, country singer Johnny Horton was born in Tyler, Texas. His "Battle of New Orleans" sold one million copies in 1959, as did his 1960 "North to Alaska," the title song from a John Wayne movie.

Today in History for May 2: In 1497, Italian-born John Cabot set sail from Bristol, England, to follow Columbus' route to what he thought was Asia.

Today in Music History for May 3: In 1903, singer and actor Bing Crosby was born in Tacoma, Wash. He sang with dance bands from 1925-30, and in 1931 began work in radio and films.

Today in Music History for April 28: In 1932, violinist Steven Staryk, considered the leading Canadian-born virtuoso of his generation, was born in Toronto.

Today in Music History for April 27: In 1857, "The Septett Club," a string and wind ensemble formed by Antoine Dessane, gave its first concert in Quebec City.

Today in Music History for May 2: In 1908, the original version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," with music by Albert Von Tilzer and lyrics by Jack Norworth, was copyrighted by Von Tilzer's York Music Company.

Today in History for April 28: In 1220, Bishop Poore laid the first five stones of the famed Salisbury Cathedral in England, one each for himself, Archbishop Stephen Langton, Pope Honorius III, Earl William and Countess Ela of Salisbury.

Today in Music History for May 1: In 1786, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro" had its world premiere in Vienna.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 18: Actor Robert Hooks is 88. Mike Vickers, saxophone player and guitarist of Manfred Mann, is 85. Music critic Robert Christgau is 83. Soprano Barbara Lowin (formerly Barbara Shuttleworth) is 81.