Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for July 28: In 1750, German composer Johann Sebastian Bach died in Leipzig, in eastern Germany. In 1901, Rudy Vallee, one of the great entertainers of the late 1920s and through the 1930s, was born in Island Pond, Vt.

Today in History for July 28: On this date: In 1540, King Henry VIII's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, was executed, the same day Henry married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. In 1576, Martin Frobisher's expedition reached Labrador.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 27: Actor John Pleshette ("Knots Landing") is 83. Acadian folksinger-songwriter Edith Butler is 83. Actress-director Betty Thomas ("Hill Street Blues") is 78. Olympic gold medal figure skater Peggy Fleming is 78.

Today in History for July 27: On this date: In 1606, the first permanent French colony in Canada was established at Port Royal, N.S.

Today in Music History for July 27: In 1920, Henry D. "Homer" Haynes of the country comedy duo of "Homer and Jethro" was born. His partnership with Jethro (born Kenneth C. Burns) lasted 39 years -- from 1932 until Homer's death in 1971.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 26: Actor Robert Colbert is 94. Singer Darlene Love is 84. Singer Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones is 82. Movie director Peter Hyams is 82. Actress Dame Helen Mirren is 80. Drummer Roger Taylor of Queen is 76.

Today in History for July 26: On this date: In 1603, James VI of Scotland was crowned King James I of England.

Today in Music History for July 26: In 1938, R&B singer-songwriter Bobby Hebb, who wrote and recorded the 1966 pop classic "Sunny," was born to blind parents in Nashville, Tenn. At the height of "Sunny" popularity, he toured with "The Beatles.

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.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 28: CFL Hall of Fame quarterback Russ Jackson is 89. Musical conductor Riccardo Muti is 84. NBA Hall-of-Famer and former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley is 82. Cartoonist Jim Davis ("Garfield") is 80.