Today in History

Today in Music History for Dec. 7: In 1877, the first successful gramophone was demonstrated. It was invented by Thomas Edison and built by his mechanic, John Kruesi. In 1916, French-Canadian fiddler Ti-Jean Carignan was born in Levis, Que.

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. 6: On this date: In 1752, a government pamphlet in Halifax became the first book published in Canada. In 1780, Jean-Antoine Aide-Crequy, the first Canadian-born painter, died in Quebec City.

Today in History for Dec. 9: On this date: In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London. In 1755, the first post office in Canada opened in Halifax.

Today in History for Dec. 7: On this date: In AD 374, Ambrose, an early church father, was consecrated Bishop of Milan, Italy.

Today in History for Dec. 8: On this date: In 1694, a French Jesuit missionary in Canada, Noel Chabanal, was murdered by a renegade Huron. He was one of the group known as the Jesuit Martyrs of North America canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 30: Bassist Bob Moore is 85. Country singer-record company executive Jimmy Bowen is 80. Director Ridley Scott is 80. Movie writer-director Terrence Malick is 74. Leo Lyons, bass guitarist with Ten Years After, is 74.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 28: Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. is 88. Gary Troxel of the '50s pop group The Fleetwoods is 78. Singer-songwriter Bruce Channel is 77. Singer Randy Newman is 74. Movie director Joe Dante is 71.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 29: Hall of Fame sportscaster Vin Scully is 90. Canadian jazz guitarist Ed Bickert is 85. Blues musician John Mayall is 84. Actress Diane Ladd is 82. Musician Chuck Mangione is 77. Songwriter Mark James is 77.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 2: Jazz saxophonist P.J. Perry is 76. Bassist Tom McGuiness ("Manfred Mann," "McGuiness Flint") is 76. Actress Cathy Lee Crosby ("That's Incredible") is 73.