Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for May 5: In 614, Persians seized Jerusalem and captured the True Holy Cross that St. Helena had placed there after finding it. It would be years before the Christians would recapture it.

Today in Music History for May 5: In 1891, New York's Carnegie Hall, then called the Music Hall, had its opening night with a concert that included works conducted by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Walter Damrosch.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 4: Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson musical family, is 95. Jazz bassist Ron Carter is 88. Pulitzer Prize-winning political commentator George Will is 84. Singer Peggy Santiglia Davison of The Angels is 81.

Today in Music History for May 4: In 1905, honky tonk singer Al Dexter was born in Jacksonville, Texas. He perfected his style in the oil-boom dance halls of East Texas.

Today in History for May 4: In 1493, Spanish-born Pope Alexander VI divided the non-Christian world between Spain and Portugal.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 3: Singer Frankie Valli is 91. Bassist Peter Staples (The Troggs) is 81. Singer Mary Hopkin is 75. Singer Christopher Cross is 74. Drummer Cactus Moser (Highway 101) is 68. Keyboardist David Ball of Soft Cell is 66.

Today in Music History for May 3: In 1903, singer and actor Bing Crosby was born in Tacoma, Wash. He sang with dance bands from 1925-30, and in 1931 began work in radio and films.

Today in History for May 3: On this date: In 495, Pope St. Gelasius I decreed that his spiritual power as supreme pontiff was superior to the temporal power of Emperor Anastasius. It was called the Gelasian Decree. In 1074, St.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 9: Actor-writer Alan Bennett is 91. Guitarist Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly and The Crickets is 88. Composer Bruce Mather is 86. Producer-director James L. Brooks is 85.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 10: Actor David Clennon is 82. Singer Donovan is 79. Singer Graham Gouldman of 10cc is 79. Singer Dave Mason is 79. Rock vocalist Jay Ferguson (Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne) is 78. Actress Meg Foster is 77.