Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 3: Singer Jaye P. Morgan ("The Gong Show") is 93. British singer and actor Paul Nicholas is 80. Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne is 76. Singer Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship is 75. Don Barnes, of the Florida rock band .

Today in Music History for Dec. 3 In 1908, the Regina Orchestral Society, the forerunner to the Regina Symphony Orchestra, gave its first concert.

Today in History for Dec. 3: In 1170, Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, returned to England after six years of exile in France. He would be martyred on Dec. 29 -- killed by soldiers sent by his former friend, King Henry II.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 2: Jazz saxophonist P.J. Perry is 83. Bassist Tom McGuiness ("Manfred Mann," "McGuiness Flint") is 83. Actress Cathy Lee Crosby ("That's Incredible") is 80.

Today in History for Dec. 2: In 1552, St. Francis Xavier, the founder of the Jesuits, died while on a missionary journey to China. In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French.

Today in Music History for Dec. 2: In 1923, soprano Maria Callas, renowned for her dramatic intensity and versatility, was born in New York City. She moved to Greece at the age of 13, studying at the Royal Conservatory in Athens.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 1: Actor-director Woody Allen is 89. Singer Dianne Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 85. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Lee Trevino is 85. Television producer David Salzman is 81.

Today in Music History for Dec. 1: In 1884, Saskatoon’s first concert was presented by the Pioneer Society. It featured solos, duets, choruses, readings and recitations. In 1913, Broadway musical star Mary Martin was born in Weatherford, Texas.

Today in History for Dec. 1: In 1680, a comet appeared close to Earth and was clearly visible until the end of February. In 1841, the first copyright in Canada was issued for "A Canadian Spelling Book.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 30: Country singer-record company executive Jimmy Bowen is 87. Director Ridley Scott is 87. Movie writer-director Terrence Malick is 81. Leo Lyons, bass guitarist with Ten Years After, is 81.