Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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 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).

Celebrity Birthdays for April 24: Actress Shirley MacLaine is 91. Actress-singer-director Barbra Streisand is 83. Country singer Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys is 82. Drummer Doug Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is 80.

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 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.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 23: Actor Alan Oppenheimer is 95. Actor Lee Majors ("Six Million Dollar Man") is 86. Actress Blair Brown is 79. Actress Joyce DeWitt ("Three's Company") is 76. Writer-director Paul Brickman is 76.

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

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.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 22: Actor Jack Nicholson is 88. Singer Mel Carter is 86. Author Janet Evanovich is 82. Country singer Cleve Francis is 80. Director John Waters is 79. Singer Peter Frampton is 75.

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.