Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 27: Footwear designer Manolo Blahnik is 82. Rock and jazz saxophonist Randy Brecker is 79. Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker") is 73.

Today in History for Nov. 27 On this date: In 1095, in France, Pope Urban II solemnly proclaimed the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.

Today in Music History for Nov. 27: In 1941, country-pop singer Eddie Rabbitt was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rabbitt's big break came in 1971, when Elvis Presley recorded his "Kentucky Rain." It turned out to be Presley's 50th million seller.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 26: Impressionist Rich Little is 86. Singer Jean Terrell (replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes) is 80. Bassist John McVie of Fleetwood Mac is 79. Actress Marianne Muellerleile is 76. Actor Scott Jacoby is 68.

Today in History for Nov. 26: On this date: In 1539, in England, the monastery at the Fountains Abbey was surrendered to the Crown.

Today in Music History for Nov. 26: In 1933, singer-actor Robert Goulet was born in Lawrence, Mass. He moved to Edmonton while in his teens, and was a semifinalist on CBC TV's "Pick the Stars" in 1952.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 25: Actor Matt Clark is 88. Actor Christopher Riordan is 87. Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs is 84. Singer Bob Lind is 82. Actor-game show host Ben Stein is 80.

Today in Music History for Nov. 25: In 1913, the Calgary Symphony Orchestra gave its first young people's matinee concert, performing for a public-school audience. Each pupil paid 15 cents to attend.

Today in History for Nov. 25: On this date: In 2,348 B.C., according to Archbishop James Ussher's Old Testament chronology, the Great Deluge (Noah's Flood) began.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 24: Ray Perkins of the '50s vocal group The Crew Cuts is 91. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson is 86. Country singer Johnny Carver is 84. Author Eric Wilson is 84. Former Beatles drummer Pete Best is 83.