Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for May 11: In 1888, American songwriter Irving Berlin was born in Russia. He wrote nearly 1,000 songs, and had his first hit in 1911 with "Alexander's Ragtime Band.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 11: Fashion designer Valentino (born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani) is 92. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is 91. Singer Eric Burdon (The Animals, War) is 83.

Today in History for May 11: In 1189, Emperor Frederik I Barbarossa and 100,000 crusaders left Regensburg in southern Germany for the Holy Land. In 1421, Jews were expelled from Styria in Austria.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 13: Actor Buck Taylor ("Gunsmoke," ''Gods and Generals") is 86. Actor Harvey Keitel is 85. (Magic) Dick Salwitz, harmonica player with the J. Geils Band, is 79. Author Charles Baxter is 77.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 16: Jazz drummer Billy Cobham is 80. Actor Danny Trejo is 80. Rock guitarist and composer Robert Fripp, founder of King Crimson, is 78. Actor Bill Smitrovich is 77. Rock singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman is 73.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 12: Hockey Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bucyk is 89. Actress Millie Perkins ("Knots Landing") is 86. R&B singer Jayotis Washington is 83. Country singer Billy Swan is 82. Actress Linda Dano ("Another World") is 81.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 15: Actress-singer Anna Maria Alberghetti is 88. Counterculture icon Wavy Gravy is 88. Actress-singer Lainie Kazan is 84. Actress Gunilla Hutton ("Petticoat Junction," ''Hee Haw") is 82.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 18: Actress Priscilla Pointer ("Dallas," ''Carrie," ''Blue Velvet") is 100. Actress Candice Azzara ("In Her Shoes," ''Caroline in the City," ''Rhoda") is 83. Bluegrass singer-guitarist Rodney Dillard of The Dillards is 82.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 14: Photo-realist artist Richard Estes is 92. Actress Dame Sian Phillips is 91. Movie director-producer George Lucas is 80. Singer-actress Catherine McKinnon is 80.

Celebrity Birthdays for May 17: Actor Peter Gerety is 84. Singer Taj Mahal is 82. Drummer Bill Bruford of Yes and King Crimson is 75. Singer-guitarist George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson is 71. TV personality Kathleen Sullivan is 71.