Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Dec. 30: In 1384, the English religious reformer John Wycliffe died of a stroke. He was a bold critic of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church and believed the Church should return to the Scriptures.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 29: Actress Barbara Steele is 87. Actor Jon Voight is 86. Singer-commedienne Dinah Christie is 82. Singer Marianne Faithfull is 78. Hall of Fame Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. is 78. Actor Ted Danson is 77.

Today in History for Dec. 29: In 1170, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was murdered on the altar of Canterbury Cathedral by knights of King Henry II. In 1813, the British burned Buffalo, N.Y., during the War of 1812.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 28: Singer-keyboardist Edgar Winter is 78. Drummer Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste of The Meters is 76. Pianist Richard Clayderman is 71. Actor Denzel Washington is 70. Contemporary Christian singer Twila Paris is 66.

Today in History for Dec. 28: In 1065, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor. In 1694, Queen Mary II of England died after more than five years of joint rule with her husband, King William III.

Today in Music History for Dec. 28: In 1842, Calixa Lavallee, the composer of "O Canada," was born in Vercheres, Lower Canada (now Quebec). The song, with words by Judge A.B.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 1: Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman is 95. Jazz guitarist Sonny Greenwich is 89. Actor Frank Langella is 87. Singer-guitarist Country Joe McDonald of Country Joe and the Fish is 83.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 31: TV producer George Schlatter is 95. Actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is 87. Actress Sarah Miles is 83. Guitarist Andy Summers of The Police is 82. Actor Sir Ben Kingsley is 81. Producer-director Taylor Hackford is 80.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 30: Actor Russ Tamblyn is 90. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax is 89. Singer Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary is 87. Director James Burrows ("Cheers," ''Taxi") is 84.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 3: Singer-songwriter Van Dyke Parks is 82. Singer Stephen Stills is 80. Bassist John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin is 79. Actress Victoria Principal is 75. Actor-director Mel Gibson is 69. Actress Shannon Sturges is 57.