Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Oct. 21: In 1851, soprano Jenny Lind, dubbed "The Swedish Nightingale," gave her first Canadian concert, at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto. Her tour was organized by showman P.T. Barnum.

Today in History for Oct. 17: On this date: In 1483, Pope Sixtus IV launched the Spanish Inquisition, placing it under the joint direction of the Catholic Church and state.

Today in History for Oct. 15: On this date: In 1542, the great Mogul emperor Jalaluddin Akbar was born in India. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Catholic countries. As a result, 10 days were lost as the calendar jumped from Oct.

Today in History for Oct. 21: On this date: In 1555, Queen Mary of England launched a persecution campaign against Protestants that resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people.

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.