Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Sept. 5: In 1899, Canadian folk song collector Helen Creighton was born in Dartmouth, N.S.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 4: Actress Mitzi Gaynor is 93. Actor Kenneth Kimmins ("Coach") is 83. Singer Merald "Bubba" Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips is 82. TV personality Dr. Jan Pol ("The Incredible Dr. Pol") is 82.

Today in History for Sept. 4: In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier landed at Ile au Coudres and attended the celebration of the first Roman Catholic mass in Canada. In 1768, French novelist Francois Rene Chateaubriand was born in St. Malo.

Today in Music History for Sept. 4: In 1955, Canadian violinist Donna Grescoe, a native of Winnipeg, appeared on Ed Sullivan's "Talk of the Town" TV show in New York.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 3: Actress Pauline Collins is 84. Singer-guitarist Al Jardine of The Beach Boys is 82. Actress Valerie Perrine is 81. George Biondo, bass guitarist with Steppenwolf, is 79.

Today in History for Sept. 3: In 590, St. Gregory the Great was consecrated the 64th Catholic pope, ruling 14 years. His administration took responsibility for converting the Anglo-Saxon tribes in England, chiefly through the work of St.

Today in Music History for Sept. 3: In 1915, blues singer and pianist Memphis Slim was born Peter Chatman in the city from which he took his stage name. Memphis Slim was one of the first American bluesmen to move to Europe and become a star there.

Celebrity Birthdays for Sept. 2: Jazz saxophonist Lee Gagnon is 90. Former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth is 87. Singer Jimmy Clanton is 86. Singer Rosalind Ashford of Martha and the Vandellas is 81.

Today in History for Sept. 2: On this date: In 1666, "The Great Fire" of London started in a wooden house on Pudding Lane.

Today in Music History for Sept. 2: In 1651, Martin Boutet was appointed director of the children's choir in the parish church at Quebec City. He was the first choirmaster in the new colony.