Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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.

Today in Music History for Oct. 14: In 1904, the McGill Conservatorium of Music was officially opened at the Montreal university.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 18: Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Mike Ditka is 84. Singer Russ Giguere of The Association is 80. Award-winning Canadian film composer Howard Shore is 77. Actor Joe Morton is 76. Actress Pam Dawber is 72.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 19: Artist Peter Max is 86. Author and critic Renata Adler is 86. Canadian singer-songwriter Tommy Ambrose is 84. Actor John Lithgow is 78. Singer Jeannie C. Riley is 78.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 20: Japan's Empress Michiko is 89. Rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson is 86. Actor William "Rusty" Russ is 73. Al Greenwood, keyboards and synthesizer with Foreigner, is 72. Actress Melanie Mayron ("thirtysomething") is 71.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 21: Actress Joyce Randolph ("The Honeymooners") is 99. Keyboardist Manfred Mann is 83. Guitarist Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's is 82. Singer Elvin Bishop is 81. TV judge Judy Sheindlin ("Judge Judy") is 81.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 16: Actor-producer Tony Anthony is 86. Actor Barry Corbin ("One Tree Hill," ''Northern Exposure") is 83. Canadian bassist C.F. Turner of Bachman-Turner Overdrive is 80. Actress Suzanne Somers is 77.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 17: Singer Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap is 81. Actor Michael McKean is 76. Actor George Wendt is 75. Actor-singer Bill Hudson is 74. Singer-songwriter Shari Ulrich is 72.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 15: Singer Barry McGuire is 88. Canadian Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the N.H.L, is 88. Actress Linda Lavin ("Alice") is 86. Drummer Don Stevenson of Moby Grape is 82.

Today in Music History for Oct. 24: In 1911, blues singer and harmonica player Sonny Terry, best known for his more than 30-year partnership with Brownie McGhee, was born in Greensboro, N.C. He died in 1987.