Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 1: In 1622, the Roman Catholic church adopted Jan. 1 as the beginning of the year, rather than March 25. In 1653, Newfoundland's Coat of Arms was granted by King Charles I.

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.

Today in History for Jan. 2: In 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile ended Muslim rule in Spain by conquering Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in the country.

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.

Today in Music History for Dec. 29: In 1849, the Christmas hymn by Edmund Sears, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," was first published in "The Christian Register." In 1939, Radio Luxembourg was given government permission to begin broadcasting.

Today in Music History for Jan. 3: In 1917, Leon McAuliffe, one of the first country musicians to use an electric steel guitar, was born in Houston.

Today in History for Dec. 31: In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted the British East India Co. a monopoly on all trade to the East Indies. In 1687, the first shipload of emigrating Huguenots (French Protestants) left France for South Africa.

Today in Music History for Jan. 2: In 1900, a company set up by Emile Berliner, inventor of the gramophone, began manufacturing seven-inch, single-sided records at a plant in Montreal.

Today in Music History for Jan. 4: In 1936, Billboard magazine published the first pop music chart based on record sales. The chart, a listing of the 10 most popular records, became a weekly feature in 1940.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 20: Actor Tommy Cole ("The Mickey Mouse Club") is 83. Drummer Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat and Tears is 80. Former KISS drummer Peter Criss is 79. Producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") is 78.