Today in History

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 19: Author John le Carre is 86. Artist Peter Max is 80. Author and critic Renata Adler is 80. Singer-songwriter Tommy Ambrose is 78. Actor Michael Gambon ("Harry Potter" films) is 77.

Today in History for Oct. 19: 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. 18: Sportscaster Keith Jackson is 89. Actress Dawn Wells ("Gilligan's Island") is 79. Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Mike Ditka is 78. Singer Russ Giguere of The Association is 74.

Today in Music History for Oct. 18: In 1926, legendary rock singer, guitarist and songwriter Chuck Berry was born in San Jose, Calif.

Today in History for Oct. 18: 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. In 1646, Rev.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 17: Actress Marsha Hunt is 100. Actress Julie Adams ("Creature From the Black Lagoon") is 91. Violinist Betty-Jean Hagen is 87. Country singer Earl Thomas Conley is 76. Singer Jim Seals of Seals and Crofts is 75.

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

Today in Music History for Oct. 17: In 1948, Montreal's "Pro Musica Society" presented its first chamber music concert, featuring the Stuyvesant String Quartet and clarinetist Clark Brody.

Today in History for Oct. 16: On this date: In 1555, in Oxford, England, bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were burned at the stake for heresy because of their Protestant beliefs.

Today in History for Oct. 16: On this date: In 1555, in Oxford, England, bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were burned at the stake for heresy because of their Protestant beliefs.