(Encyclopedia) devaluation, decreasing the value of one nation's currency relative to gold or the currencies of other nations. It is usually undertaken as a means of correcting a deficit in the…
(Encyclopedia) parimutuel bettingparimutuel bettingpărˌĭmy&oomacr;ˈty&oomacr;ĕl [key], system of cooperative wagering invented (c.1870) in France by Pierre Oller. According to the system, the…
(Encyclopedia) Pérez Jiménez, MarcosPérez Jiménez, Marcosmärˈkōs pāˈrās hēmāˈnās [key], 1914–2001, president of Venezuela (1952–58). As an army captain he took part in the coup that installed (1945)…
(Encyclopedia) Pincay, Laffit Alejandro, Jr.Pincay, Laffit Alejandro, Jr.läfˈēt älākhänˈdrō pēnˈkī, pĭnˈ– [key], 1946–, Panamanian jockey, b. Panama City. He began racing in Panama and came to the…
(Encyclopedia) Besant, Sir WalterBesant, Sir Walterbĭzăntˈ [key], 1836–1901, English novelist and humanitarian, grad. Christ's College, Cambridge, 1859. He taught at the Royal College of Mauritius…
(Encyclopedia) Bishops' Wars, two brief campaigns (1639 and 1640) of the Scots against Charles I of England. When Charles attempted to strengthen episcopacy in Scotland by imposing (1637) the English…
(Encyclopedia) airmail, transport of mail by airplanes. Demonstration flights that showed the feasibility of carrying mail by air were made in Great Britain and in the United States in 1911. In the…
lawyerDied: February 22, 2008 (Manhattan, New York) Best Known as: a philanthropist and lawyer John Lewis was a lawyer who devoted his life to helping prisoners…
actress Born: 2/5/1962Birthplace: Los Angeles Daughter of actor Vic Morrow and of actress/writer Barbara Turner, actress Leigh is often recognized for her lost, wistful air that allowed her success…
