Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Aug. 19: In 1912, Jimmie Shields, one of the most popular Irish tenors in Canada during the 1930s, was born in St. Catharines, Ont. He rose to further fame in the U.S.

Today in History for Aug. 19: On this date: In 1099, the armies of the First Crusade defeated the Saracens at the "Battle of Ascalon," a historic Palestinian city on the Mediterranean coast, one month after they had captured Jerusalem.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 18: Movie director Roman Polanski is 92. Actor Robert Redford is 89. Actor Henry G. Sanders ("Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman") is 83. Rock musician Dennis Elliott is 75. Comedian Elayne Boosler is 73.

Today in Music History for Aug. 18: In 1893, Canadian conductor and composer Sir Ernest MacMillan was born in Mimico, Ont., now part of Toronto.

Today in History for Aug. 18: On this date: In 1227, Mongol emperor Genghis Khan died. He became one of the most significant and successful military leaders in history.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 17: Actor Robert De Niro is 82. Movie director Martha Coolidge is 79. Guitarist Gary Talley of The Box Tops is 78. Actor/screenwriter/producer Julian Fellowes is 76. Actor Robert Joy ("CSI: NY") is 74.

Today in History for Aug. 17: On this date: In 1502, Christopher Columbus took possession of what is now Honduras in the name of Spain. In 1761, William Carey, pioneer English missionary to India, was born.

Today in Music History for Aug.

Celebrity birthdays for Aug. 16: Actress Ann Blyth is 97. Actor Gary Clarke ("Hondo," ''The Virginian") is 92. Actress Julie Newmar is 92 Actor John Standing is 91. '60s pop singer and actress Ketty Lester is 91. Actress Anita Gillette is 90.

Today in History for Aug. 16: On this date: In 1750, 300 German settlers arrived at Lunenburg, N.S. In 1784, New Brunswick was established as a separate colony from Nova Scotia with a nominated council and elected assembly.