Today in History

Today in Music History for Oct. 22: In 1883, the original Metropolitan Opera House in New York opened with a production of Gounod's "Faust." The building was heavily damaged by fire in 1892, but was rebuilt.

Today in History for Oct. 22: In 1692, a 14-year-old girl repelled an Iroquois attack on Vercheres near Montreal. Marie-Madeleine de Vercheres took charge and rallied people inside the fort.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 21: Actress Joyce Randolph ("The Honeymooners") is 93. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Whitey Ford is 89. Author Ursula K. Le Guin is 88. Keyboardist Manfred Mann is 77. Guitarist Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's is 76.

Today in History for Oct. 21: In 1555, Queen Mary of England launched a persecution campaign against Protestants that resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people.

Today in Music History for Oct. 21: In 1851, soprano Jenny Lind, dubbed "The Swedish Nightingale," gave her first Canadian concert, at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto. Her tour was organized by showman P.T. Barnum.

Today in Music History for Nov. 4: In 1740, English clergyman Augustus Toplady, who wrote the hymn "Rock of Ages," was born. In 1847, composer Felix Mendelssohn died at Leipzig at age 38.

Today in Music History for Nov. 3: In 1936, harpist Judy Loman was born in Goshen, Ind.. She moved to Toronto in 1957, and two years later became the principal harp of the Toronto Symphony orchestra.

Today in Music History for Nov. 2: In 1926, country star Charlie Walker was born in Copeville, Texas. He became a popular disc jockey in Texas as he built a career as a honky-tonk singer.

Today in Music History for Nov. 1: In 1847, Emma Albani, the first Canadian singer to distinguish herself in the international world of opera, was born in Chambly, Que.

Today in Music History for Oct. 31: In 1937, folksinger Tom Paxton was born in Chicago. He was part of the early-1960s folk revival that also saw the emergence of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.