Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Aug. 21: On this date: In 1245, English scholastic theologian Alexander of Hales died. He is regarded as the founder of the Franciscan school of theology.

Today in Music History for Aug. 18: In 1893, Canadian conductor and composer Sir Ernest MacMillan was born in Mimico, Ont., now part of Toronto.

Today in Music History for Aug. 21: In 1866, Civilla D. Martin, teacher and songwriter, was born in Nova Scotia. A pastor’s wife, she penned in 1904 the hymn, "Be Not Dismayed, Whate’er Betide" (a.k.a. "God Will Take Care of You"). She died in 1948.

Today in History for Aug. 20: On this date: In 1691, Henry Kelsey of the Hudson's Bay Co. was the first white man to see what is now Saskatchewan. Kelsey was an explorer whose exact route into the Prairies is not known.

Today in History for Aug. 18: On this date: In 1227, Mongol emperor Genghis Khan died. He became one of the most significant and successful military leaders in history.

Today in Music History for Aug.

Today in History for Aug. 17: On this date: In 1502, Christopher Columbus took possession of what is now Honduras in the name of Spain. In 1761, William Carey, pioneer English missionary to India, was born.

Today in Music History for Aug. 23: In 1912, singer-dancer-director Gene Kelly was born in Pittsburgh. He first gained fame in 1941 in the Broadway musical "Pal Joey." The following year he starred in the film "For Me and My Gal" with Judy Garland.

Today in Music History for Aug. 20: In 1920, the first commercial radio station in the United States, 8-MK in Detroit, began daily broadcasting. The station later became WWJ.

Today in Music History for Aug. 22: In 1741, George Frederic Handel began composing "The Messiah." He finished the work on Sept. 14. In 1831, William Cummings, a leading English musicologist, was born.