On this day in 539 BC the army of Cyrus the Great of Persia took Babylon.  

Born on this day in 1872 composer Ralph Vaughan Williams

Born on this day in 1892 soprano Gilda Dalla Rizza

Born on this day in 1906 bass Herbert Alsen

Born on this day in 1928 conductor Jerzy Semkow

Born on this day in 1935 tenor Luciano Pavarotti

Happy 71st birthday tenor Bruce Brewer

Happy birthday soprano Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs