Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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.

Today in History for Oct. 4: In 1535, the printing of the first English-language Bible was completed in London. In 1669, Dutch painter Rembrandt died. In 1824, the Federal Republic of Mexico was proclaimed.

Today in Music History for Oct. 4: In 1929, Leroy Van Dyke, a former livestock auctioneer turned performer, was born in Spring Fork, Miss.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 3: Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall is 92. Composer Steve Reich is 87. Hockey Hall of Fame centre Jean Ratelle is 83. Singer Chubby Checker is 82. Actor Alan Rachins ("Dharma and Greg") is 81.

Today in History for Oct. 3rd: In 1226, St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, died. He was canonized in 1228.

Today in Music History for Oct. 3: In 1938, '50s rock 'n' roller Eddie Cochran was born in Oklahoma City.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 2: Critic Rex Reed is 85. Singer Don McLean is 78. Country singer Jo-el Sonnier is 77. Actor Eric Peterson ("Corner Gas") is 77. Actor Avery Brooks ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") is 75. Fashion designer Donna Karan is 75.

Today in History for Oct. 2: In 322 BC, Greek philosopher Aristotle died. In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River to Hochelaga, present site of Montreal.

Today in Music History for Oct. 2: In 1899, Victor Herbert's operetta "The Singing Girl" received its world premiere at Her Majesty's Theatre in Montreal.

Celebrity Birthdays for Oct. 1: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is 99. Actress-singer Julie Andrews is 88. Saxophonist Jerry Martini of Sly and the Family Stone is 80. Barbara Parritt of the '60s girl group The Toys is 79.