Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for July 5: In 1810, one of the greatest showmen of all time, Phineas T. Barnum, was born in Bethel, Conn. In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

Today in Music History for July 4: In 1900, jazz trumpeter and singer Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong was reputed to have been born in New Orleans. But in 1988, a music historian discovered a baptismal certificate that indicated Armstrong was born on Aug.

Today in Music History for July 2: In 1925, country singer Marvin Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kan. He became a star in the 1950s with several of his records becoming million-sellers.

Today in History for June 30: In 1859, French acrobat Blondin crossed the Niagara gorge on a tightrope. Before reaching the Canadian side, he stopped to drink champagne and perform other feats. A crowd of 25,000 watched.

Today in History for July 1: In 1643, the Westminster Assembly first convened in England. From this emerged the Westminster longer and shorter catechisms, still used as doctrinal standards by many Presbyterian churches.

Today in Music History for June 29: In 1888, the first musical recording in Britain was made at the Crystal Palace in London on the occasion of the Handel Festival. The recording was made using Thomas Edison's cylinder phonograph.

Today in History for June 29: In 67, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul was beheaded with a sword near Rome, probably by order of Emperor Nero, during a time when Christianity was outlawed.

Today in History for July 2: In 311, Miltiades was elected the 32nd pope of the Catholic Church. During his pontificate, Christianity was finally tolerated by Rome, following the Emperor Constantine's conversion to the Christian faith.

Today in Music History for June 30: In 1917, jazz drummer Buddy Rich was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Beginning in the late 1930s, Rich drummed with a succession of big bands, including Bunny Berrigan, Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey.

Today in History for July 3: In 1608, Samuel de Champlain established a settlement at Quebec City. He called it Kebec, an Algonquin word meaning "place where the river narrows.