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Pylos

(Encyclopedia)Pylos pīˈlŏs [key], ancient harbor, Messenia, SW Greece, on a bay of the Ionian Sea. Excavations have revealed a great Mycenaean palace of the 13th cent. b.c., perhaps the dwelling of King Nestor. ...

pyrotechnics

(Encyclopedia)pyrotechnics pīˌrōtĕkˈnĭks, pīˌrə– [key], technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent., and it was they who brought fir...

Riga, Treaty of

(Encyclopedia)Riga, Treaty of, either of two peace treaties signed at Riga, Latvia. By the Treaty of Riga of 1920, between the USSR and Latvia, the USSR recognized Latvian independence. The Treaty of Riga of 1921, ...

Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Teodoro

(Encyclopedia)Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Teodoro, 1942–, Equatoguinean military and political leader, president of Equatorial Guinea (1979–). He graduated (1963) from Spain's Zaragoza Military Academy while Equator...

Pandit, Vijaya Lakshmi

(Encyclopedia)Pandit, Vijaya Lakshmi vĭjīˈə läkˈshmē pŭnˈdĭt [key], 1900–1990, Indian diplomat, sister of Jawaharlal Nehru. She played an active role in the Indian National Congress before Indian indepe...

Pahor, Borut

(Encyclopedia)Pahor, Borut bōˈro͞ot päˈhôr [key], 1963–, Slovenian politician, president of Slovenia (2012–). He became politically involved in high school and was active in the Communist League's reformi...

Paine, Robert Treat

(Encyclopedia)Paine, Robert Treat, 1731–1814, political figure in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Boston, Mass. He served briefly as a chaplain in the French and Indian War ...

Osijek

(Encyclopedia)Osijek ōˈsēyĕk [key], Ger. Esseg, Hung. Eszék, city (2011 pop. 108,048), in Croatia, on the Drava River. The chief city of the historic region of Slavonia, it is a river port and industrial cente...

William II, prince of Orange

(Encyclopedia)William II, 1626–50, prince of Orange, stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (1647–50), son and successor of Frederick Henry. He married (1641) Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I ...

Willing, Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Willing, Thomas, 1731–1821, American merchant and financier, b. Philadelphia. He studied law in London. Returning to Philadelphia in 1749, he entered his father's business and later established with...