Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Oct. 28: In 312, Roman emperor Constantine defeated the army of Maxentius, a contender to the throne, at Milvian Bridge, after trusting in a vision he had seen of the cross inscribed with the words, "In this sign conquer.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 2: Tennis legend Ken Rosewall is 89. Political commentator Patrick Buchanan is 85. Bruce Welch, rhythm guitarist with The Shadows, is 82. Actress Stefanie Powers is 81. Country-rock singer-songwriter and actor J.D.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 31: Actress Lee Grant is 98. Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 92. Folk singer Tom Paxton is 86. Actor Ron Rifkin ("Alias") is 85. Actress Sally Kirkland is 82. Actor Brian Doyle-Murray is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 30: Movie director Claude Lelouch is 86. Songwriter Eddie Holland of Holland-Dozier-Holland is 84. Singer Grace Slick is 84. Singer Otis Williams of The Temptations is 82. Actress Joanna Shimkus is 80.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 29: Singer-actress Melba Moore is 83. Guitarist Denny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues) is 79. Actor Richard Dreyfuss is 76. Actress Kate Jackson is 75. Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Denis Potvin is 70.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 1: Jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson is 97. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Gary Player is 88. Country singer Bill Anderson is 86. Actor Robert Foxworth ("Falcon Crest") is 82. Country singer Kinky Friedman is 79.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 4: Actress Loretta Swit ("MASH") is 86. Singer Delbert McClinton is 83. Singer-guitarist Chris Difford of Squeeze is 69. Country singer Kim Forester of the Forester Sisters is 63. Actress Kathy Griffin is 63.

Celebrity Birthdays for Nov. 3: Actress Lois Smith is 93. Harpist Judy Loman is 87. Nick Simper, original bass guitarist with Deep Purple, is 78. Actor-radio personality Shadoe Stevens ("Dave's World") is 76. Singer Lulu is 75.

Today in History for Nov. 7: On this date: In 1659, the Pyrenees were designated as the boundary between France and Spain, thus ending a 24-year war between the two countries. In 1665, the "London Gazette" was published for the first time.

Today in History for Nov. 8 On this date: In 1308, medieval scholar Duns Scotus died. His given name led to the introduction of the word dunce.