Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Oct. 18: On this date: 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.

Today in History for Oct. 20: On this date: In 1632, Sir Christopher Wren, British astronomer and architect, was born. He designed 53 London churches, including St.

Today in History for Oct. 19: On this date: In 1216, King John of England died after consuming what was described as an excessive number of peaches and too much beer.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 6: British broadcaster and writer Melvyn Bragg is 84. Actress Britt Ekland is 81. Singer-guitarist Thomas McClary (The Commodores) is 74. Musician Sid McGinnis is 74. Science fiction author David Brin is 73.

Today in History for Oct. 6: In 1520, German reformer Martin Luther published his Prelude on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, his famous writing which attacked the entire sacramental system of the Catholic Church.

Today in Music History for Oct. 6: In 1908, Canadian composer and musicologist Francois Brassard was born in St. Jerome, Que. He is best known for his work in research, compilation, editing and harmonizing of French-Canadian folk songs.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 5: Actress Glynis Johns ("Mary Poppins") is 100. '60s country singer Margie Singleton is 88. Singer Arlene Smith of The Chantels is 82. Singer-guitarist Steve Miller is 80. Singer Brian Johnson of AC/DC is 76.

Today in History for Oct. 5: In 1502, Christopher Columbus reaches Costa Rica. In 1789, William Scoresby, English scientist and Arctic explorer, was born. In 1793, Christianity was abolished in France during the Revolution.

Today in Music History for Oct. 5: In 1880, French composer Jacques Offenbach died in Paris. In 1925, Nashville's WSM radio went on the air. One of its first regular programs was a Saturday night feature called the "WSM Barn Dance.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 4: Country singer Leroy Van Dyke is 94. Actress Felicia Farr is 91. Canadian novelist Rudy Wiebe is 89. Actress Lori Saunders (Bobbie-Jo on "Petticoat Junction") is 82. Author and humorist Roy Blount Jr.