Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for April 2: In 742, Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was born. Pope Leo III crowned him Emperor of the Romans on Christmas Day, 800.

Today in Music History for April 2: In 1872, renowned Canadian soprano Emma Albani made her London debut, singing the role of ``Amina'' in ``La Sonambula.'' In 1939, Motown hitmaker Marvin Gaye was born in Washington, D.C.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 1: Actor Don Hastings (``As The World Turns'') is 91. Actress Ali MacGraw is 86. Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff is 81. British pop musician Robin Scott is 78. Keyboardist Billy Currie of Ultravox is 75.

Today in Music History for April 1: In 1917, Scott Joplin, the ``King of Ragtime,'' died in a mental institution in New York City. Joplin fell into a deep depression -- which eventually led to insanity -- after the failure of his opera ``Treemonisha.

Today in History for April 1: In 1548, England's Parliament ordered the publication of the ``Book of Common Prayer.'' In 1564, All Fools' Day is said to have originated when King Charles IX of France changed the calendar.