Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Aug. 10: In 1909, Leo Fender, the man who perfected the electric guitar, was born in Buena Park, Calif. His company manufactured the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar in 1948.

Today in Music History for Aug. 11: In 1943, Jim Kale, the original bass guitarist with "The Guess Who," was born. He was also a member of "The Guess Who's" forerunner, "Chad Allan and the Expressions," a group formed in Winnipeg in the early 1960s.

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.

Today in History for Aug. 11: On this date: In 1711, the first running at Britain's famous Ascot horse track was held.

Celebrity Birthdays for Aug. 1: Singer Ramblin' Jack Elliott is 94. Baritone opera singer Bruno Laplante is 87. Actor Giancarlo Giannini is 83. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams is 75. Blues musician Robert Cray is 72.

Today in Music History for Aug. 1: In 1927, one of country music's most influential groups, "The Carter Family," made their first recordings for Victor Records at a makeshift studio in Bristol, Tenn.

Today in History for Aug. 1: On this date: In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier sighted the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Celebrity Birthdays for July 31: Jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell is 94. Songwriter and producer Barry DeVorzon ("Nadia's Theme) is 91. Actress Susan Flannery ("Bold and the Beautiful") is 86. Actress France Nuyen ("South Pacific") is 86.

Today in History for July 31: On this date: In 1498, Christopher Columbus landed at Trinidad. In 1556, St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus -- the Jesuit order of Catholic priests and brothers -- died in Rome.

Today in Music History for July 31: In 1886, Hungarian pianist and composer Franz Liszt died of pneumonia at 74. In 1877, Thomas Edison patented the first sound-recording device.