Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for May 24: In 1543, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus died in Frombork, Poland. He proposed the heliocentric, or sun-centred, system whereby the planets orbit around the sun. He was born Feb. 19, 1473, in Torum, Poland.

Today in History for May 20: In 325, the first Christian ecumenical council opened at Nicea in Asia Minor. The doctrine of Jesus Christ's divinity was formally affirmed for the first time by the council.

Today in Music History for May 24: In 1859, the song "Ave Maria," featuring a melody by French composer Charles Gounod superimposed on a theme from Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier," was first performed in Paris by opera singer Marie Caroline Miolan-Car

Today in History for May 18: In 1096, the Jews of Worms, in present-day Germany, were massacred by Christian Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land.

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.