Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

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.

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 Music History for Jan. 1: In 1936, jazz guitarist Sonny Greenwich was born in Hamilton, Ont. Influenced by tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, Greenwich developed a unique saxophone-like tone on the guitar.

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.

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Today in Music History for Dec. 31: In 1776, the earliest cantata to be mentioned in Canadian historical documents was performed in Quebec City to mark the first anniversary of the repulsion of U.S. invaders.

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.

Today in Music History for Dec. 30: In 1672, the first public concert was held in London. The musicians performed behind a curtain while patrons ate cakes and drank ale.

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.