Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for June 2: In 1857, English composer Sir Edward Elgar was born. Music composed in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee brought him public recognition.

Today in Music History for June 6: In 1939, singer Gary U.S. Bonds, whose real name is Gary Anderson, was born in Jacksonville, Fla. Bonds had a string of energetic dance records in the early '60s, topped by "Quarter to Three," which reached No.

Today in History for June 4: In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers first publicly demonstrated their hot-air balloon, which did not carry any passengers, over Annonay, France.

Today in Music History for June 1: In 1915, country singer Johnny Bond was born in Enville, Okla.

Today in Music History for June 3: In 1875, French composer Georges Bizet died in Paris at age 36. In 1942, Curtis Mayfield, a driving force in R&B music as singer, writer, producer and record company owner, was born in Chicago.

Today in History for June 1: In 1533, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was crowned as Queen Consort of England. In 1812, U.S.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 23: Actress Barbara Barrie is 93. Actress Joan Collins is 92. International Tennis Hall-of-Famer John Newcombe is 81. Actress Lauren Chapin ("Father Knows Best") is 80. Country singer Misty Morgan is 80.

Today in Music History for May 23: In 1889, Mary Susanne Edgar, a Canadian YWCA leader who wrote a number of hymns during her years of leading a Christian camping ministry with girls, was born.

Today in History for May 23: In 1275, King Edward I of England ordered the cessation of the persecution of French Jews. In 1430, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 22: Actor-director Richard Benjamin is 87. Actor Frank Converse is 87. Actress Barbara Parkins ("Peyton Place," ''Valley of the Dolls") is 83. Songwriter Bernie Taupin is 75. Actor Al Corley ("Dynasty") is 69.