(Encyclopedia) Sills, Beverly, 1929–2007, American coloratura soprano, b. Brooklyn, N.Y., as Belle Silverman. Her childhood career as a radio singer (when she was first nicknamed “Bubbles”) led to…
Think the Empire State Building, Grand Canyon and the Eifel Tower are the most-visited tourist attractions in the world? Think again. by Jennie Wood Grand Central Station, New York…
From planet to pet names, hurricane to Spanish place names Personal Names Most Popular First Names In 1900, John and Mary topped the list; a hundred years later it was Jacob…
Leap years synchronize the calendar year with the solar year
by Ann Marie Imbornoni & Mark Hughes Related Links Leap Year 101 History of the Calendar History of…
(Encyclopedia) BrunswickBrunswickbrŭnzˈwĭk [key], Ger. BraunschweigBrunswickbrounˈshfīk [key], former state, central Germany, surrounded by the former Prussian provinces of Saxony, Hanover, and…
(Encyclopedia) Philip II or Philip Augustus, 1165–1223, king of France (1180–1223), son of Louis VII. During his reign the royal domains were more than doubled, and the royal power was consolidated…
(Encyclopedia) AuvergneAuvergneōvĕrˈnyə [key], former province and former administrative region, S central France. The area is now occupied chiefly by the departments of Puy-de-Dôme, Allier, Haute-…
(Encyclopedia) mastiffmastiffmăsˈtĭf [key], breed of very large, powerful working dog developed in England more than 2,000 years ago. It stands from 27 to 33 in. (68.6–83.8 cm) high at the shoulder…
(Encyclopedia) legion, large unit of the Roman army. It came into prominence c.400 b.c. It originally consisted of 3,000 to 4,000 men drawn into eight ranks: the first six ranks, called hoplites,…
(Encyclopedia) Bridger, James, 1804–81, American fur trader, one of the most celebrated of the mountain men, b. Virginia. He was working as a blacksmith in St. Louis when he joined the Missouri River…
