(Encyclopedia) loon, common name for migratory aquatic birds found in fresh- and saltwater in the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Its strange, laughing call carries for great distances. Like…
(Encyclopedia) Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728–1814, American writer, b. Barnstable, Mass.; sister of James Otis and wife of James Warren, who was speaker of the Massachusetts house of representatives. An…
(Encyclopedia) Bland-Allison Act, 1878, passed by the U.S. Congress to provide for freer coinage of silver. The original bill offered by Representative Richard P. Bland incorporated the demands of…
(Encyclopedia) Stair, John Dalrymple, 2d earl of, 1673–1747, Scottish general and diplomat; son of the 1st earl of Stair. He began a military career in the Netherlands, but on his father's death…
(Encyclopedia) Platt, Orville Hitchcock, 1827–1905, U.S. Senator (1879–1905), b. Washington, Litchfield co., Conn. Platt held many public offices in Connecticut before he served in the U.S. Senate.…
(Encyclopedia) Caroline of Brunswick, 1768–1821, consort of George IV of England. The daughter of Charles William Ferdinand, duke of Brunswick, she married George (then prince of Wales) in 1795. She…
(Encyclopedia) Quincy, JosiahQuincy, Josiahkwĭnˈzē [key], 1744–75, political leader in the American Revolution, b. Boston. An outstanding lawyer, he wrote a series of anonymous articles for the…
World News | Business/Science News Here are the key events in United States news for the month of July 2009. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Announces Resignation (July 3…
America's Favorite Pastime by Mark Zurlo With millions of fans across the globe, football has become one of the world's most popular sports, and has (arguably) replaced baseball…
former U.S. surgeon generalBorn: 8/13/1933Birthplace: Schaal, Arkansas Elders briefly served as the surgeon general of the United States under President Bill Clinton. She was confirmed in September…