Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Oct. 27: On this date: In 1746, William Tennent, a Scottish Presbyterian pastor and theologian, obtained a charter for the College of New Jersey, later to be called Princeton University.

Celebrity Birthdays for is Oct. 26: Actress Jaclyn Smith ("Charlie's Angels") is 79. "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak is 78. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is 77. Musician Bootsy Collins is 73. Actor James Pickens Jr.

Today in History for Oct. 26: In 1774, the American Congress invited Canada to join the 13 colonies opposing Britain. In 1813, a small force of British and Canadian soldiers defeated an advance party of 1,500 Americans at the battle of Chateauguay.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 31: Actress Lee Grant is 99. Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 93. Folk singer Tom Paxton is 87. Actor Ron Rifkin ("Alias") is 86. Actress Sally Kirkland is 83. Actor Brian Doyle-Murray is 79.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 2: Tennis legend Ken Rosewall is 90. Political commentator Patrick Buchanan is 86. Bruce Welch, rhythm guitarist with The Shadows, is 83. Actress Stefanie Powers is 82. Actress Kate Linder is 77.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 1: Jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson is 98. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Gary Player is 89. Country singer Bill Anderson is 87. Actor Robert Foxworth ("Falcon Crest") is 83. Music producer David Foster is 75.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 28: Jazz singer Cleo Laine is 97. Actress Joan Plowright is 95. Player/coach Basketball Hall-of-Famer Lenny Wilkens is 87. Actress Jane Alexander is 85. TV writer and producer Susan Harris is 84.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 30: Movie director Claude Lelouch is 87. Songwriter Eddie Holland of Holland-Dozier-Holland is 85. Singer Grace Slick is 85. Singer Otis Williams of The Temptations is 83. Actress Joanna Shimkus is 81.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 27: Quebec singer-songwriter Gilles Vigneault is 96. Actor-comedian John Cleese is 85. Author Maxine Hong Kingston is 84. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 82. Actor-singer Tom Jackson is 76.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 29: Singer-actress Melba Moore is 84. Actor Richard Dreyfuss is 77. Actress Kate Jackson is 76. Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Denis Potvin is 71. Musician Roger O'Donnell (The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs) is 69.