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Monroe, Marilyn

(Encyclopedia)Monroe, Marilyn, 1926–62, American movie actress, b. Los Angeles as Norma Jean Baker or Norma Jeane Mortenson. Raised in orphanages after 1935 and first married at 14, Monroe, who began her career a...

Sanders, Bernie

(Encyclopedia)Sanders, Bernie (Bernard Sanders), 1941–, American politician, b. Brooklyn, N.Y. The son of Jewish immigrants from Poland, he spent a year at Brooklyn...

Foster, Stephen Collins

(Encyclopedia)Foster, Stephen Collins, 1826–64, American songwriter and composer, b. Lawrenceville, Pa. His pioneer family was aware of his talent for music, but not understanding it they provided him with little...

Hooker, Joseph

(Encyclopedia)Hooker, Joseph, 1814–79, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Hadley, Mass. After fighting the Seminole and serving in the Mexican War, Hooker resigned from the army in 1853 and was for sever...

Brown, James

(Encyclopedia)Brown, James, 1933–2006, African-American rhythm-and-blues singer known as the “godfather of soul,” b. Barnwell, S.C., as James Joe Brown, Jr. Abandoned by his parents, he left school in the sev...

Bryant, Kobe

(Encyclopedia)Bryant, Kobe brīˈənt [key], 1978–2020, American basketball player, b. Philadelphia. The ...

Carter Family

(Encyclopedia)Carter Family, group of singers that specialized in traditional music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains; it consisted of A(lvin) P(leasant) Carter, 1891–1960, b. Maces Spring, Va.; his wife, Sar...

Nuwara Eliya

(Encyclopedia)Nuwara Eliya no͝ovˈərə āˈlĭyə, no͞orāˈlēə [key], town (1990 est. pop. 26,000), S Sri Lanka. A hill resort (alt. 6,194 ft/1,889 m) and health center in a tea-growing area, it was first set...

Minho, historical province, Portugal

(Encyclopedia)Minho mēnˈyo͞o [key], historical province, NW Portugal, between the Minho and Douro rivers. Braga is the capital. This region was settled by the Celts, who left many hill forts, and by the Romans. ...