(Encyclopedia) Calixtus III,&sp;Callixtus III, or Callistus III, 1378–1458, pope (1455–58), a Spaniard (b. Játiva) named Alonso de Borja or, in Italian, Alfonso Borgia; successor of Nicholas V.…
(Encyclopedia) Speranski, Mikhail MikhailovichSperanski, Mikhail Mikhailovichmēkhəyēlˈ mēkhīˈləvĭch spyĭränˈskē [key], 1772–1839, Russian public official, chief adviser to Czar Alexander I (1808–12…
(Encyclopedia) Royal National Theatre a government-funded repertory company based in London. Although the idea for such a company originated in the 19th cent., the National Theatre was not finally…
(Encyclopedia) Padre IslandPadre Islandpädˈrē, pădˈrē [key], low, sandy island, c.115 mi (185 km) long, less than 3 mi (4.8 km) wide, S Tex. It is characterized by large, irregular sand dunes, sparse…
(Encyclopedia) Christmas [Christ's Mass], in the Christian calendar, feast of the nativity of Jesus, celebrated in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches on Dec. 25. In liturgical importance it ranks…
(Encyclopedia) ThamesThamestĕmz [key], Rom. Tamesis, principal river of England, c.210 mi (340 km) long. It rises in four headstreams (the Thames or Isis, Churn, Coln, and Leach) in the Cotswold…
Dracula: Fact or Folklore? Have Dracula stories been exaggerated by political enemies and in peasant folklore? by David Johnson While his political enemies, and peasant folklore, have no…
Fabergé Eggs The most glorious Easter eggs of all by David Johnson Around 1885, Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé took the decoration of eggs to new heights. He volunteered to create a…
50th Emmy Awards: Drama Series Nominees outstanding series | directing | writing | nextOutstanding Drama SeriesER (NBC)Law & Order (NBC)NYPD Blue (ABC)The Practice (ABC)The X-Files (Fox)…
