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Bismarck, Otto von

(Encyclopedia)Bismarck, Otto von bĭzˈmärk, Ger. ôˈtō fən bĭsˈmärk [key], 1815–98, German statesman, known as the Iron Chancellor. The Bismarckian era closed with the death of Emperor Frederick III. A ...

Burney, Charles

(Encyclopedia)Burney, Charles, 1726–1814, English music historian, composer, and organist. His General History of Music (1776–89; 2d ed. 1935) was one of the first important music histories in English. He wrote...

Samoa, country, SW Pacific Ocean

(Encyclopedia)Samoa, formerly Western Samoa, officially Independent State of Samoa, constitutional monarchy (2015 est. pop. 194,000), South Pacific, comprising the western half of the Samoa island chain. There are ...

Maachah, ancient city-state of Syria

(Encyclopedia)Maachah or Maacah both: māˈəkə [key], ancient city-state of Syria, S of Mt. Hermon. It was held by Arameans in biblical times. The inhabitants are Maachathi or Maachathites. It is mentioned severa...

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

(Encyclopedia)Islamic State in Iraq and Syria: see Islamic State. ...

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

(Encyclopedia)Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, better known as Virginia Tech, at Blacksburg; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered and opened 1872 as an agricultural and mecha...

Bornu

(Encyclopedia)Bornu bôrˈno͞o [key], former Muslim state, mostly in NE Nigeria, extending S and W of Lake Chad. It began its existence as a separate state in the late 14th cent. From the 14th to the 18th cent. Bo...

Green party

(Encyclopedia)Green party, any of the political parties established in various countries to oppose the destructive environmental effects of many modern technologies and the economic systems and institutions that dr...

Caroline of Ansbach

(Encyclopedia)Caroline of Ansbach änsˈbäkh [key], 1683–1737, queen consort of George II of England, daughter of the margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach. She married George in 1705 while he was electoral prince of ...

Stargard Szczeciński

(Encyclopedia)Stargard Szczeciński ĭn pôˈmərn [key], town (1994 est. pop. 72,000), Zachodniopomorskie prov., NW Poland. It is a rail junction and has metalworking and chemical industries. Chartered in the 13th...