Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for May 8: In 615, Pope St. Boniface IV, who sanctioned moral and material improvements for the lower clergy, died.

Today in History for May 6: In 1491 BC, it is said Moses began his ascent up Mount Sinai and his inevitable appointment with the Lord to receive the Ten Commandments.

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.

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 7: In 1824, Ludwig van Beethoven's monumental "Ninth Symphony" premiered in Vienna.

Today in History for May 7: In 1274, during the Council of Lyons in France, the Eastern and Western churches were briefly reconciled. In 1355, 1,200 Jews in Toledo, Spain, were killed by Count Henry of Trastamara.

Today in Music History for May 5: In 1891, New York's Carnegie Hall, then called the Music Hall, had its opening night with a concert that included works conducted by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Walter Damrosch.

Today in History for May 4: In 1493, Spanish-born Pope Alexander VI divided the non-Christian world between Spain and Portugal.

Today in Music History for May 6: In 1859, John Bayley conducted the Victoria Philharmonic Society in the first concert given in what now is the British Columbia capital.

Today in Music History for May 4: In 1905, honky tonk singer Al Dexter was born in Jacksonville, Texas. He perfected his style in the oil-boom dance halls of East Texas.