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Mitchell, John Newton

(Encyclopedia)Mitchell, John Newton, 1913–88, U.S. Attorney General (1969–72), b. Detroit. A law partner of Richard M. Nixon, he managed Nixon's 1968 presidential campaign and was made (1969) Attorney General. ...

Persian Gulf Wars

(Encyclopedia)Persian Gulf Wars, two conflicts involving Iraq and U.S.-led coalitions in the late 20th and early 21st cent. The First Persian Gulf War, also known as the Gulf War, Jan.–Feb., 1991, was an armed co...

Bach, Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Bach, Thomas, 1953–, German sports executive, b. Würzberg. A lawyer and businessman, he won a gold medal in team fencing representing West Germany in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Bach served as pres...

Liebknecht, Karl

(Encyclopedia)Liebknecht, Karl kärl lēpˈkənĕkht [key], 1871–1919, German socialist, leader of the Spartacus party; son of Wilhelm Liebknecht. His antimilitaristic writings caused his conviction (1907) for hi...

Kirkpatrick, Jeane Duane Jordan

(Encyclopedia)Kirkpatrick, Jeane Duane Jordan kûrkpăˈtrĭk, kûrpăˈ– [key], 1926–2006, U.S. public official, b. Duncan, Okla. Originally a Democrat, she was professor of political science (1967–1980, 198...

organized crime

(Encyclopedia)organized crime, criminal activities organized and coordinated on a national scale, often with international connections. The American tradition of daring desperadoes like Jesse James and John Dilling...

Lewinsky scandal

(Encyclopedia)Lewinsky scandal ləwĭnˈskē [key], sensation that enveloped the presidency of Bill Clinton in 1998–99, leading to his impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives and acquittal by the Senate....

Farley, James Aloysius

(Encyclopedia)Farley, James Aloysius ălˌəwĭshˈəs [key], 1888–1976, American political leader, U.S. Postmaster General (1933–40), b. Rockland co., N.Y. He rose steadily in Democratic party politics in New ...

World Council of Churches

(Encyclopedia)World Council of Churches, an international, interdenominational organization of most major Protestant, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox Christian churches; founded in Amsterdam in 1948, its headquarter...

Ramotar, Donald Rabindranauth

(Encyclopedia)Ramotar, Donald Rabindranauth, 1950–, Guyanese political leader. An economist, he joined the People's Progressive party (PPP) in 1967, was elected to its central committee (1979) and executive commi...