劲爆大瓜

Today in History for April 9: In 1682, French explorer Robert de La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Basin for France.

Today in Music History for April 9: In 1932, rock 'n' roll pioneer Carl Perkins was born in Jackson, Tenn. He wrote ``Blue Suede Shoes,'' which went to No. 2 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 1 on the country chart in 1956.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 8: Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Seymour Hersh is 88. Original Mouseketeer Darlene Gillespie is 84. Singer Peggy Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 84. Songwriter-producer Leon Huff of Gamble and Huff is 83.

Today in Music History for April 8: In 1906, Raoul Jobin, considered one of the greatest French tradition tenors of the '30s and '40s, was born in Quebec City.

Today in History for April 8: In 626, Maedoc of Ferns, an early Irish believer in Jesus Christ, died.