Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Oct. 16: In 1555, in Oxford, England, bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were burned at the stake for heresy because of their Protestant beliefs.

Today in History for Oct. 13: In A.D. 54, Roman Emperor Claudius I died after being poisoned, apparently at the behest of his wife, Agrippina. In 1399, King Henry IV of England was crowned.

Today in History for Oct. 18: In 1534, Paul III was elected Pope. He reformed the Catholic Church and forbade the practice of selling church appointments and spiritual favours. However, he was unable to heal the rift of the Reformation. In 1646, Rev.

Today in History for Oct. 17: In 1483, Pope Sixtus IV launched the Spanish Inquisition, placing it under the joint direction of the Catholic Church and state.

Today in History for Oct. 15: In 1542, the great Mogul emperor Jalaluddin Akbar was born in India. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Catholic countries. As a result, 10 days were lost as the calendar jumped from Oct. 4 to Oct. 15.

Today in History for Oct. 14: In 1066, William of Normandy became the Conqueror with his victory over King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. During the fighting, Harold was hit by an arrow and then mowed down by the sword of a mounted knight.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 4: Country singer Leroy Van Dyke is 95. Actress Felicia Farr is 92. Canadian novelist Rudy Wiebe is 90. Actress Lori Saunders (Bobbie-Jo on "Petticoat Junction") is 83. Author and humorist Roy Blount Jr. is 83.

Today in Music History for Oct. 4: In 1929, Leroy Van Dyke, a former livestock auctioneer turned performer, was born in Spring Fork, Miss.

Today in History for Oct. 4: On this date: In 1535, the printing of the first English-language Bible was completed in London. In 1669, Dutch painter Rembrandt died. In 1824, the Federal Republic of Mexico was proclaimed.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 3: Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall is 93. Composer Steve Reich is 88. Hockey Hall of Fame centre Jean Ratelle is 84. Singer Chubby Checker is 83. Actor Alan Rachins ("Dharma and Greg") is 82.