(Encyclopedia) cattail or reed mace, any plant of the genus Typha, perennial herbs found in almost all open marshes. The cattail (also called club rush) has long narrow leaves, sometimes used for…
actressBorn: 8/16/1958Birthplace: New York City This Yale-educated actress starred in August Wilson plays on Broadway before making her move to films with leading roles in Boyz in the Hood (1991)…
Spikes in oil, gas, and food prices raise awareness of the need to conserve resources by Beth Rowen Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, a result of the efforts of Sen. Gaylord…
(Encyclopedia) marlin, common name for open-sea fish related to the sailfish (family Istiophoridae) and prized in sport fishing. The best known is the Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, found…
(Encyclopedia) transcontinental railroad, in U.S. history, rail connection with the Pacific coast. In 1845, Asa Whitney presented to Congress a plan for the federal government to subsidize the…
Declan Patrick McManussingerBorn: 8/25/1954Birthplace: London, England Influential rocker of the post-punk '70s scene best known for songs such as “Alison” (1977) and “Everyday I Write the Book” (…
(Encyclopedia) asphodelasphodelăsˈfədĕlˌ [key], name for plants of several genera of the family Lilaceae (lily family). The true asphodels belong to two small and very similar genera (Asphodelus and…
