Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 26: Hockey Hall of Fame forward Norm Ullman is 89. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh is 79. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is 78. Bassist George Porter Jr. of The Meters is 77.

Today in History for Dec. 26: In 1776, the British suffered a major defeat in the "Battle of Trenton" during the Revolutionary War. In 1791, British legislation creating Upper and Lower Canada (now Ontario and Quebec) came into effect.

Today in Music History for Dec. 26: In 1791, a cantata by English composer John Bentley was performed in Quebec City at the constitutional meeting which marked the partition of the colony into Upper and Lower Canada.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 25: Author Anne Roiphe is 89. Jazz keyboardist Bob James is 85. Actress Hanna Schygulla ("Barnum," ''Casanova") is 81. Singer John Edwards of The Spinners is 80. Actor Gary Sandy ("WKRP In Cincinnati") is 79.

Today in Music History for Dec. 25: In 1641, Rev. Jean de Brebeuf composed "Jesus, He is Born (The Huron Carol)," the song considered to be New France's first Christmas carol written in the Huron language.

Today in History for Dec. 25: Christian tradition associates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem with Dec. 25th, however the exact day and year of Christ's birth have never been determined. The year 6 B.C.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 24: Dr. Anthony Fauci is 84. Recording company executive Mike Curb is 80. Comedian Steve Smith ("Red Green Show") is 79. Guitarist Jan Akkerman is 78. Actor Grand L. Bush is 69.

Today in Music History for Dec. 24: In 1818, the Christmas carol "Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.

Today in History for Dec. 24: In 1524, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese navigator who found the sea route from Europe to the East, died in Cochin, India.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 23: Actor Ronnie Schell ("Gomer Pyle, USMC") is 93. Emperor Akihito of Japan is 91. Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) is 84. Actor-comedian Harry Shearer ("This Is Spinal Tap", "The Simpsons") is 81.