Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for March 30: On this date: In 1135, Moses Maimonides, the renowned medieval Jewish scholar, was born.

Today in Music History for March 31: In 1732, composer Franz Joseph Haydn, known as the ``Father of the Symphony,'' was born in Austria. One of his greatest contributions to church music was his 1798 oratorio ``The Creation.'' He died in 1809.

Today in Music History for April 4: In 397, St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, died. Known as the ``Father of Hymnody,'' he encouraged the singing of hymns, wrote several and codified the Ambrosian chant for the early church.

Today in History for April 3: In 1327, Marsilius of Padua and his copyist, John of Jandun, were forced to flee Paris for asylum in Bavaria after the pope issued a bull denouncing them as ``sons of perdition and fruits of malediction.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 21: Actress Kathleen Widdoes (``As the World Turns'') is 86. Songwriter Chip Taylor (``Wild Thing'') is 85. Singer-guitarist Keith Potger of The Seekers is 84. Actress Marie-Christine Barrault is 81.

Today in Music History for March 21: In 1685, Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest and most influential composers in the Western world, was born in Eisenach, Germany.

Today in History for March 21: In 547, Italian monk Benedict, author of the Benedictine rule which established the pattern for European monastic life through the Middle Ages, died at Monte Cassino.

Celebrity Birthdays for March 20: Actor Hal Linden is 94. Canadian country singer Tommy Hunter is 88. Vito Picone, lead singer with The Elegants, is 84. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley is 80. Canadian author and broadcaster Dr.

Today in History for March 20: In 1413, England's King Henry IV died; he was succeeded by Henry V. In 1455, when Guido di Pietro became a monk at Fiesole, he changed his name to Giovanni and became known as Giovanni da Fiesole.

Today in Music History for March 20: In 1937, Canadian country singer Tommy Hunter was born in London, Ont. Hunter joined CBC-TV's ``Country Hoedown'' in 1956 as rhythm guitarist with ``King Ganam's Sons of the West.