Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Aug. 13: On this date: In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured present-day Mexico City from the Aztec Indians. In 1792, French revolutionaries imprisoned the royal family.

Today in Music History for Aug. 12: In 1838, Joseph Barnby, English organist and choirmaster, was born. He composed nearly 250 hymn tunes during his life. Of these the most enduring include "Now the Day is Over" and "We Give Thee But Thine Own.

Today in Music History for Aug. 16: In 1935, Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," which turned out be the first million-selling country record by a female singer.

Today in Music History for Aug. 14: In 1810, Samuel S. Wesley, grandson of Methodist hymnwriter Charles Wesley, was born. Samuel Wesley penned over 130 original hymn tunes. The best remembered is "The Church’s One Foundation.

Today in History for Aug. 12: On this date: In 1615, the first mass in Ontario was celebrated by Father Le Caron in a Huron village near Thunder Bay.

Today in Music History for Aug. 10: In 1909, Leo Fender, the man who perfected the electric guitar, was born in Buena Park, Calif. His company manufactured the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar in 1948.

Today in Music History for Aug. 11: In 1943, Jim Kale, the original bass guitarist with "The Guess Who," was born. He was also a member of "The Guess Who's" forerunner, "Chad Allan and the Expressions," a group formed in Winnipeg in the early 1960s.

Today in History for Aug. 16: On this date: In 1750, 300 German settlers arrived at Lunenburg, N.S. In 1784, New Brunswick was established as a separate colony from Nova Scotia with a nominated council and elected assembly.

Today in History for Aug. 11: On this date: In 1711, the first running at Britain's famous Ascot horse track was held.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 1: Singer Ramblin' Jack Elliott is 94. Baritone opera singer Bruno Laplante is 87. Actor Giancarlo Giannini is 83. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams is 75. Blues musician Robert Cray is 72.