Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Oct. 29: In 1787, Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" premiered at the Tyl Theatre in Prague.

Today in History for Oct. 29: In 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh was executed in London on charges of treason against King James I.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 28: Jazz singer Cleo Laine is 96. Actress Joan Plowright is 94. Player/coach Basketball Hall-of-Famer Lenny Wilkens is 86. Actress Jane Alexander is 84. TV writer and producer Susan Harris is 83.

Today in Music History for Oct. 28: In 1820, John H. Hopkins, the author and composer of the Christmas hymn "We Three Kings of Orient Are," was born. In 1936, country-rock musician and bandleader Charlie Daniels was born in Wilmington, N.C.

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.