(Encyclopedia) MeccaMeccamĕkˈə [key] or MakkahMakkahmăkˈə [key], city (1993 pop. 966,381), capital of the Hejaz, W Saudi Arabia. The birthplace c.a.d. 570 of Muhammad the Prophet, it is the holiest…
(Encyclopedia) caliphatecaliphatekălˈĭfātˌ, –fĭt [key], the rulership of Islam; caliphcaliphkălˈĭfˌ [key], the spiritual head and temporal ruler of the Islamic state. In principle, Islam is…
Thabo Mbeki (1942–) Eileen Collins (1956– ) NASA
1999 U.S. agrees to ease restrictions on Cuba (Jan. 4). Dennis Hastert elected to replace Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the…
April Fool's Day—Origin and History Chinese New Year Chinese New Year Dates Christmas Easter Father's Day Groundhog Day Halloween Hanukkah Kwanzaa Mardi Gras Martin…
WHICH ANCIENT CITY IN UZBEKISTAN IS ON THE SILK ROAD? HOW DO PEOPLE LIVE IN CENTRAL ASIA? WHERE IS THE WORLD’S LONGEST RAILROAD? DO MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN SIBERIA? WHY IS THE ARAL SEA SHRINKING?…
WHY HAS THERE BEEN FIGHTING IN ISRAEL? WHO CAME TO POWER IN IRAQ? FIND OUT MOREThe Middle East saw much conflict during the last century. Its deserts contain the world’s biggest oil fields, which…
François Mitterrand (1916–1996) The French Consulate, Boston Benazir Bhutto (1953– ) Muzammil Paha/Reuters/Archive Photos
1988 U.S. and Canada reach free trade agreement (…
(Encyclopedia) Abraham [according to the Book of Genesis, Heb.,=father of many nations] or AbramAbramāˈbrəm [key] [Heb.,=exalted father], in the Bible, progenitor of the Hebrews; in the Qur'an,…
(Encyclopedia) Qur'an or KoranKorankōrănˈ, –ränˈ [key] [Arab.,=reading, recitation], the sacred book of Islam. Revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad in separate revelations over the major portion…
