(Encyclopedia) Hakam II, al-Hakam II, al-äl-häkämˈ [key], 914–76, Umayyad caliph of Córdoba (961–76), son and successor of Abd ar-Rahman III. In the early part of his reign he successfully waged war…
(Encyclopedia) Frederick William II, 1744–97, king of Prussia (1786–97), nephew and successor of Frederick II (Frederick the Great). He had the power but lacked the ability of his distinguished…
(Encyclopedia) Bahadur Shah IIBahadur Shah IIbähäˈd&oobreve;r shä [key], 1775–1862, last Mughal emperor of India (1837–57). A political figurehead, he was completely controlled by the British…
(Encyclopedia) Victor Amadeus IIVictor Amadeus IIămədēˈəs [key], 1666–1732, duke of Savoy (1675–1713), king of Sicily (1713–20), king of Sardinia (1720–30). Succeeding his father, Charles Emmanuel II…
(Encyclopedia) World War II, 1939–45, worldwide conflict involving every major power in the world. The two sides were generally known as the Allies and the Axis.
Although hostilities came to…
(Encyclopedia) Vatican Council, Second, popularly called Vatican II, 1962–65, the 21st ecumenical council (see council, ecumenical) of the Roman Catholic Church, convened by Pope John XXIII and…
(Encyclopedia) Reuter, Baron Paul Julius vonReuter, Baron Paul Julius vonbärōnˈ poul y&oomacr;ˈly&oobreve;s fən [key]Reuter, Baron Paul Julius von roiˈtər [key], 1816–99, founder of Reuters…
(Encyclopedia) Conrad IV, 1228–54, German king (1237–54), king of Sicily and of Jerusalem (1250–54), son of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. He was elected (1237) king of the Romans at his father's…
