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Today in Music History for Jan. 3: In 1917, Leon McAuliffe, one of the first country musicians to use an electric steel guitar, was born in Houston.

Today in History for Dec. 31: In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted the British East India Co. a monopoly on all trade to the East Indies. In 1687, the first shipload of emigrating Huguenots (French Protestants) left France for South Africa.

Today in Music History for Jan. 2: In 1900, a company set up by Emile Berliner, inventor of the gramophone, began manufacturing seven-inch, single-sided records at a plant in Montreal.

Today in Music History for Jan. 4: In 1936, Billboard magazine published the first pop music chart based on record sales. The chart, a listing of the 10 most popular records, became a weekly feature in 1940.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 20: Actor Tommy Cole ("The Mickey Mouse Club") is 83. Drummer Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat and Tears is 80. Former KISS drummer Peter Criss is 79. Producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") is 78.

Today in History for Dec. 20: In 1699, Russian Czar Peter the Great ordered his people to celebrate the New Year on January 1, instead of Sept. 1. In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, R.I.

Today in Music History for Dec. 20: In 1944, drummer Bobby Colomby of the big band rock group "Blood, Sweat and Tears" was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 19: Actress Elaine Joyce is 81. Actor Tim Reid is 80. Musician John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 79. Country singer Janie Fricke is 77. Jazz musician Lenny White is 75. Keyboardist Doug Johnson (Loverboy) is 67.

Today in Music History for Dec. 19: In 1808, Horatius Bonar, Scottish clergyman, poet and hymn writer, was born. He authored several missionary biographies and penned over 600 hymns, including "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.

Today in History for Dec. 19: In 1813, fur trader James McGill died in Montreal, leaving 10,000 pounds to establish the university that would bear his name. In 1813, a British-Canadian force took Fort Niagara in the War of 1812.