Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for April 9: In 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Basin for France.

Today in Music History for April 9: In 1932, rock 'n' roll pioneer Carl Perkins was born in Jackson, Tenn. He wrote ``Blue Suede Shoes,'' which went to No. 2 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 1 on the country chart in 1956.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 8: Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Seymour Hersh is 88. Original Mouseketeer Darlene Gillespie is 84. Singer Peggy Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 84. Songwriter-producer Leon Huff of Gamble and Huff is 83.

Today in Music History for April 8: In 1906, Raoul Jobin, considered one of the greatest French tradition tenors of the '30s and '40s, was born in Quebec City.

Today in History for April 8: In 626, Maedoc of Ferns, an early Irish believer in Jesus Christ, died.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 7: Country singer Bobby Bare is 90. Movie director Francis Ford Coppola is 86. Actress Roberta Shore ("The Virginian") is 82. Guitarist Mick Abrahams (Jethro Tull) is 82. Singer Patricia Bennett of The Chiffons is 78.

Today in History for April 7: In 1199, King Richard I of England (also known as ``The Lion-Heart'') died in the Limousin region of France at age 41 after being mortally wounded by an arrow.

Today in Music History for April 7: In 1824, the first complete performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's ``Missa Solemnis'' was held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 6: Nobel Prize-winning scientist James D. Watson is 97. Actor Billy Dee Williams is 88. Actor Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders") is 87. Movie director Barry Levinson is 83. British singer Julie Rogers is 82.

Today in History for April 6: In 1528, Albrecht Durer, German painter, engraver, and designer of woodcuts, died. His most popular work is ``Praying Hands.