Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for July 8: In 1792, Lowell Mason, Presbyterian pioneer of congregational singing, was born.

Today in History for July 8: On this date: In 1629, Spain's King Philip III sent England's King Charles the First an elephant and five camels. Included were instructions that the elephant be given a gallon of wine each day.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 7: Bandleader Doc Severinsen is 98. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Ringo Starr is 85. Comedian Bill Oddie is 84. Singer-guitarist Warren Entner of the Grass Roots is 81. Actor Joe Spano is 79.

Today in Music History for July 7: In 1607, Britain's national anthem -- "God Save the King" -- was sung in public for the first time.

Today in History for July 7: On this date: In 1438, the decrees of Basel were adopted by the Roman Catholic Church. They restricted the authority of the popes and imposed a degree of accountability on the cardinals and bishops of the church.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 6: The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is 90. Singer Gene Chandler is 88. Country singer Jeannie Seely is 85. Actor Burt Ward ("Batman") is 80. Richard Elswit, guitarist with Dr. Hook, is 80.

Today in History for July 6: In 1415, Czech reformer Jan Hus was martyred. He was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake because of his outspoken appeals for church reform and for political and religious rights for the common people.

Today in History for July 6: In 1415, Czech reformer Jan Hus was martyred. He was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake because of his outspoken appeals for church reform and for political and religious rights for the common people.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 5: Writer Barry Callaghan is 88. Singer Huey Lewis is 75. Guitarist Michael Monarch (Steppenwolf) is 75. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Rich (Goose) Gossage is 74. Guitarist Jimmy Crespo is 71.

Today in History for July 5: In 1810, one of the greatest showmen of all time, Phineas T. Barnum, was born in Bethel, Conn. In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.