(Encyclopedia) coronercoronerkôrˈənər [key], judicial officer responsible for investigating deaths occurring through violence or under suspicious circumstances. The office has been traced to the late…
(Encyclopedia) Getz, Stan, 1927–91, American jazz tenor saxophonist, b. Philadelphia, as Stanley Gayetsky. As a mature musician he was especially known for his “cool” jazz style. He began playing as…
(Encyclopedia) Unitas, JohnnyUnitas, Johnnyy&oomacr;nītˈəs [key], 1933–2002, American football player, widely regarded as the greatest professional quarterback of all time; b. Pittsburgh. After…
(Encyclopedia) oracle bones, bones used for divination by the Chinese during the Shang dynasty (traditionally c.1766 b.c.–c.1122 b.c.). Along with contemporary inscriptions on bronze vessels, these…
(Encyclopedia) Parker, Charlie “Bird” (Charles Christopher Parker, Jr.), 1920–55, American musician and composer, b. Kansas City, Kans. He began playing alto saxophone in 1933 and, shifting from one…
(Encyclopedia) Ford, Whitey (Edward Charles Ford), 1928–2020, American baseball player, b. New York City. A New York Yankee pitcher for his entire career, he signed with them in 1946. The southpaw…
(Encyclopedia) Freycinet, Louis Claude Desaulses deFreycinet, Louis Claude Desaulses delwē klōd dəsōlsˈ [key]Freycinet, Louis Claude Desaulses de də frāsēnāˈ [key], 1779–1842, French marine officer.…
(Encyclopedia) Ellis Island, island, c.27 acres (10.9 hectares), in Upper New York Bay, SW of Manhattan island. Government-controlled since 1808, it was long the site of an arsenal and a fort, but…
(Encyclopedia) Young, Lester Willis, 1909–59, American jazz musician, b. Woodville, Miss. He played the tenor saxophone with various bands (1929–40), including those of Fletcher Henderson and Count…
(Encyclopedia) Bonneville Salt FlatsBonneville Salt Flatsbŏnˈəvĭl, bŏˈnēvĭl, bŏnˈvĭl [key], desert area in Tooele co., NW Utah, c.14 mi (22.5 km) long and 7 mi (11.2 km) wide. The smooth salt surface…