Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for May 12: In 1534, Wurttemberg, in Germany, became Lutheran. In 1588, the Catholic League under Duke Henri de Guise occupied Protestant controlled Paris.

Today in Music History for May 12: In 1910, composer, arranger and conductor Gordon Jenkins was born in Webster Groves, Mo. He is the man responsible for bringing the ground-breaking folk group "The Weavers" to a mass audience. He died May 1, 1984.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 11: Fashion designer Valentino (born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani) is 93. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is 92. Singer Eric Burdon (The Animals, War) is 84.

Today in History for May 11: In 1189, Emperor Frederik I Barbarossa and 100,000 crusaders left Regensburg in southern Germany for the Holy Land. In 1421, Jews were expelled from Styria in Austria.

Today in Music History for May 11: In 1888, American songwriter Irving Berlin was born in Russia. He wrote nearly 1,000 songs, and had his first hit in 1911 with "Alexander's Ragtime Band.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 10: Actor David Clennon is 82. Singer Donovan is 79. Singer Graham Gouldman of 10cc is 79. Singer Dave Mason is 79. Rock vocalist Jay Ferguson (Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne) is 78. Actress Meg Foster is 77.

Today in History for May 10: In 1278, Jews in England were imprisoned on charges of coining. In 1427, Jews were expelled from Berne, Switzerland. In 1534, Jacques Cartier arrived at Cape Bonavista, Nfld., on his first voyage to Canada.

Today in Music History for May 10: In 1899, dancer, singer and actor Fred Astaire, whose real name was Frederick Austerlitz, was born in Omaha, Neb.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 12: Hockey Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bucyk is 90. Actress Millie Perkins ("Knots Landing") is 87. R&B singer Jayotis Washington is 84. Country singer Billy Swan is 83. Actress Linda Dano ("Another World") is 82.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 16: Jazz drummer Billy Cobham is 81. Actor Danny Trejo is 81. Rock guitarist and composer Robert Fripp, founder of King Crimson, is 79. Actor Bill Smitrovich is 78. Rock singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman is 74.