Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 5: Country songwriter Bobby Braddock is 85. Actress Loni Anderson is 80. Actress Erika Slezak ("One Life To Live") is 79. Actress Holly Palance is 75. Singer Samantha Sang is 74.

Today in History for Aug. 5: On this date: In 1100, Henry I ascended the throne of England, three days after his brother, King William II, was killed in a hunting accident.

Today in Music History for Aug. 5: In 1943, country singer Sammi Smith was born in Orange, Calif.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 4: World curling champion Ernie Richardson is 94. Actress-singer Tina Cole ("My Three Sons") is 82. Paul Layton of the '70s pop group The New Seekers is 78. Pro Football Hall of Fame running back John Riggins is 76.

Today in History for Aug. 4: On this date: In 1586, a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I was uncovered.

Today in Music History for Aug. 4: In 1927, Jimmie Rodgers, often called the "Father of Country Music," made his first recordings in Bristol, Tenn.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 3: Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy is 100. Actor Martin Sheen is 85. Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Lance Alworth is 85. Singer Beverly Lee of The Shirelles is 84. Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is 84.

Today in History for Aug. 3: On this date: In 1460, King James II of Scotland died in a cannon explosion.

Today in Music History for Aug. 3: In 1907, Greta Kraus, who became Canada's most outstanding harpsichordist, was born in Vienna. After moving to Canada in 1938 she appeared as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist in concert and on the CBC.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 2: Singer Kathy Lennon of The Lennon Sisters is 82. Actress Joanna Cassidy is 81. Canadian diplomat and former politician Bob Rae is 77. Actress Kathryn Harrold is 75. Actor Butch Patrick ("The Munsters") is 72.