(Encyclopedia) Newcastle, William Cavendish, duke of, 1593?–1676, English soldier and politician. Of great wealth, Cavendish became (1638) governor of the prince of Wales and a privy councilor.…
(Encyclopedia) Havel, VáclavHavel, Václavvätsˈläv hävĕl [key], 1936–2011, Czech dramatist and essayist, president of Czechoslovakia (1989–92) and the Czech Republic (1993–2003). The most original…
Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark (935–c. 985)Sweyn, king of Denmark (986–1014)Harthacanute, king of Denmark (1035–42) and of the English (1040–42)Canute the Saint, king (1080–86) and patron saint…
(Encyclopedia) Roses, Wars of the, traditional name given to the intermittent struggle (1455–85) for the throne of England between the noble houses of York (whose badge was a white rose) and…
(Encyclopedia) Swindon, borough and unitary authority (1991 pop. 127,348), S central England. Swindon was a small village until 1841, when the Great Western RR opened its locomotive and car works…
Born: Feb. 25, 1918Tennis won Wimbledon once (1939) and U.S. title twice (1939,41); legendary hustler who made his biggest score in 1973 as 55-year-old male chauvinist challenging the best women…
The Question: Where did the Academy Awards trophy get its nickname, the Oscar? The Answer: According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,…
(Encyclopedia) Cambrai, Treaty of, called the Ladies' Peace, treaty negotiated and signed in 1529 by Louise of Savoy, representing her son Francis I of France, and Margaret of Austria, representing…
entrepreneur, radio impresarioBorn: 6/14/1874Birthplace: San Francisco, Calif. After leaving school at age 13 to work in an office, he founded a real estate business that flourished until the…