Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for May 24: In 1543, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus died in Frombork, Poland. He proposed the heliocentric, or sun-centred, system whereby the planets orbit around the sun. He was born Feb. 19, 1473, in Torum, Poland.

Today in Music History for May 24: In 1859, the song "Ave Maria," featuring a melody by French composer Charles Gounod superimposed on a theme from Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier," was first performed in Paris by opera singer Marie Caroline Miolan-Car

Celebrity Birthdays for May 29: Actor Anthony Geary ("General Hospital") is 78. Actor Cotter Smith is 76. Singer Rebbie Jackson is 75. Movie composer/musician Danny Elfman is 72. Singer LaToya Jackson is 69.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 27: Actress Lee Meriwether is 90. Actor Bruce Weitz is 82. Singer Bruce Cockburn is 80. Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 75. Actor Richard Schiff ("The West Wing") is 70.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 30: Actress Ruta Lee is 90. Actor Keir Dullea ("2001: A Space Odyssey") is 89. Guitarist Lenny Davidson of The Dave Clark Five is 81. Actor-comedian Don Ferguson (Royal Canadian Air Farce) is 79.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 26: Opera singer Teresa Stratas is 87. Sportscaster Brent Musburger is 86. Drummer Garry Peterson of The Guess Who is 80. Singer Stevie Nicks is 77. Actor Philip Michael Thomas ("Miami Vice") is 76.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 25: Actress Ann Robinson ("War of the Worlds") is 96. Classical pianist Robert Silverman is 87. Actor Sir Ian McKellen ("Lord of the Rings") is 86. Country singer Jessi Colter is 82. Actress-singer Leslie Uggams is 82.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 31: Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 95. Singer-keyboardist Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornadoes and the Sir Douglas Quintet is 85. Actress Sharon Gless ("Cagney and Lacey") is 82.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 28: Producer-director Irwin Winkler is 95. Actress Carroll Baker is 94. Annette and Cecile of the Dionne quintuplets are 91. Singer Gladys Knight is 81. Singer Billy Vera is 81. Actor Jean-Pierre Leaud is 81.

Today in Music History for June 7: In 1904, the Haskell Opera House was opened in Rock Island on the Quebec-Vermont border. Now classified as a historic site, it also includes a library on the main floor.