(Encyclopedia) Davis, Lydia, 1947–, American writer known for innovative, very short stories, b. Northampton, Mass., studied Barnard College. Davis earned early praise for her translations from the…
(Encyclopedia) Humala Tasso, Ollanta Moisés, 1962–, Peruvian army officer and political leader, b. Lima. The son of a labor lawyer, Humala joined the Peruvian army in 1982, became an officer, and…
(Encyclopedia) Maddux, Greg (Gregory Alan Maddux), 1966–, American baseball player, b. San Angelo, Tex. Playing in the National League with the Chicago Cubs (1986–92, 2004–6), Atlanta Braves (1993–…
(Encyclopedia) Baumgartner, Felix, 1969–, Austrian skydiver and daredevil. He made his first skydive at age 16, and turned to BASE jumping [Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and Earth (mountains…
by Mark Hughes In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere. Since his journey, about 450 people—astronauts, civilians, and "space tourists…
A list of the African-Americans currently serving in the 112th Congress. There are 41 black members in the House of Representatives and none in the Senate. State House…
What is Lightning? The action of rising and descending air within a thunderstorm separates positive and negative charges. Water and ice particles also…
The Rolling Stones are one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time. Their first album, simply titled The Rolling Stones, was released on April 16, 1964. After…
(Encyclopedia) Ellison, Ralph (Ralph Waldo Ellison), 1914–94, African-American author, b. Oklahoma City, studied Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee Univ.). Originally a trumpet player and aspiring…
(Encyclopedia) Tennessee, river, c.650 mi (1,050 km) long, the principal tributary of the Ohio River. It is formed by the confluence of the Holston and French Broad rivers near Knoxville, Tenn., and…
