Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Oct. 11: In 1521, Pope Leo X gave Henry VIII of England the title "Fidei Defensor," or Defender of the Faith. Thirteen years later, Henry severed all ties with Rome to establish the Church of England.

Today in Music History for Oct. 11: In 1882, composer and music educator Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville, now Niagara Falls, Ont. Dett, who spent most of his life in the U.S., was dedicated to the cause of black music in America.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 10: Actor Peter Coyote is 82. Actor Charles Dance ("Game of Thrones") is 77. Actor-dancer Ben Vereen is 77. Singer Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers is 75. Author Nora Roberts (aka "J.D. Robb") is 73.

Today in History for Oct. 10: In 1582, the Spanish Carmelite nun Teresa of Avila died in Alba de Tormes. After entering the Convent of the Incarnation of Avila in 1536, she went on to found 16 other Carmelite convents between 1567 and 1582.

Today in Music History for Oct. 10: In 1813, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi was born in Le Roncole. Among Verdi's major successes were "Rigoletto," produced in 1851, and "Il Trovatore" and "La Traviata," both staged in 1853. Verdi died in 1901.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 9: R&B singer Nona Hendryx (LaBelle) is 79. Singer Jackson Browne is 75. Manager-TV personality Sharon Osbourne is 71. Actor Tony Shalhoub ("Monk," ''Wings") is 70. Accordion player James Fearnley of The Pogues is 69.

Today in History for Oct. 9: In 1668, Canada's first institution of higher education, The Quebec Seminary, later called Laval University, was founded by Bishop Francois de Laval.

Today in Music History for Oct. 9: In 1929, singing cowboy Gene Autry made his first recordings during a visit to New York. In 1937, Pat Burke, saxophonist and flutist with the mid-'60s British pop band "The Foundations," was born.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 8: Entertainment reporter Rona Barrett is 87. Actor Paul Hogan is 84. Singer Fred Cash of The Impressions is 83. Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson is 82. Actor-comedian Chevy Chase is 80. Author R.L.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 7: Author Thomas Keneally is 88. Montreal Symphony Orchestra conductor Charles Dutoit is 87. TV personality Joy Behar ("The View") is 81. Drummer Kevin Godley of 10cc is 78. Actress Jill Larson is 76.