(Encyclopedia) Sicilian Vespers, in Italian history, name given the rebellion staged by the Sicilians against the Angevin French domination of Sicily; the rebellion broke out at Palermo at the start…
(Encyclopedia) Bering, Vitus JonassenBering, Vitus Jonassenvēˈt&oobreve;s yōˈnäsən bārˈĭng [key], 1681–1741, Danish explorer in Russian employ. In 1725 he was selected by Peter I to explore far…
(Encyclopedia) Barrie, J. M. (Sir James Matthew Barrie)Barrie, J. M.bârˈē [key], 1860–1937, Scottish playwright and novelist. He is best remembered for his play Peter Pan (1904), a supernatural…
(Encyclopedia) GallitzinGallitzingəlĭtˈsĭn [key], Rus. GolytsinGallitzingəlyēˈtsĭn [key], Russian princely family. Among many alternate spellings are Galitzin, Galytzin, and Galitsin. Vasily…
singerBorn: 4/5/1968Birthplace: Rockport, Massachusetts Pop singer and songwriter known for her sultry voice and poignant lyrics. Her albums include Harbinger (1995), This Fire (1996), and Amen (…
actressBorn: 1/27/1964Birthplace: Los Angeles Talented actress with an impressive Hollywood lineage: daughter of Peter Fonda, niece of Jane Fonda, and granddaughter of the late Henry Fonda. This…
actorBorn: 5/16/1905Birthplace: Grand Island, Nebraska Academy and Tony Award-winning film and stage actor who as a young man portrayed honest, hardworking men, and as an adult often played…
(Encyclopedia) Feodor III, 1661–82, czar of Russia (1676–82), son and successor of Alexis. Although an invalid, Feodor strove to carry out reforms. In 1681 he abolished the system of precedence among…
(Encyclopedia) New Sweden, Swedish colony (1638–55), on the Delaware River; included parts of what are now Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. With the support of Swedish statesman Axel…
