小蓝视频

Today in History for Dec. 17: In 1538, England's King Henry VIII was excommunicated by Pope Paul III. Married and divorced several times, Henry declared himself head of the Church of England. In 1777, France recognized American independence.

Today in Music History for Dec. 17: In 1857, the Sacred Harmonic Choir, conducted by John Carter, performed Handel's Messiah in Toronto. It is thought to have been the first complete oratorio presented in Upper Canada.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 16: Actress Joyce Bulifant ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show") is 87. Actress Liv Ullman is 86. Journalist Lesley Stahl ("60 Minutes") is 83. Guitarist Tony Hicks of The Hollies is 79. Singer Benny Andersson of ABBA is 78.

Today in History for Dec. 16: In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. In 1770, German composer Ludvig Van Beethoven, universally recognized as one of the greatest composers in history, was born in Bonn.

Today in Music History for Dec. 16: In 1770, German composer Ludvig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 15: Singer Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes is 85. Drummer Dave Clark of the Dave Clark Five is 85. Drummer Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge is 78. Actress Melanie Chartoff ("Rugrats," ''Parker Lewis Can't Lose") is 76.

Today in History for Dec. 15: In 1791, the U.S. Bill of Rights went into effect, following ratification by Virginia. In 1890, Chief Sitting Bull, whose Sioux forces had wiped out Gen.

Today in Music History for Dec. 15: In 1846, mezzo-soprano and actress Rosita del Vecchio, known as the Sarah Bernhardt of Canada, was born in Montreal.

Celebrity Birthdays for Dec. 14: Singer-actress Abbe Lane is 92. Actor Hal Williams ("227," ''Sanford and Son") is 90. Singer Joyce Vincent-Wilson of Tony Orlando and Dawn is 78. Entertainment executive Michael Ovitz is 78. Actress Dee Wallace is 76.

Today in History for Dec. 14: In 1503, French physician and prophet Nostradamus was born. He remains famous today for his book 鈥淭he Prophecies,鈥� which was first published in 1555.