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Alia, Ramiz

(Encyclopedia)Alia, Ramiz, 1925–2011, Albanian politician. He fought with Communist guerrillas in World War II and joined (1943) the Communist party, becoming an officer and political commisar. Under Enver Hoxha,...

Gordon, Jeff

(Encyclopedia)Gordon, Jeff (Jeffery Michael Gordon). 1971–, American auto racer, b. Vallejo, Calif. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's (NASCAR) Rookie of the Year in 1993, “The Kid” became t...

Janus, in Roman religion

(Encyclopedia)Janus jāˈnəs [key], in Roman religion, god of beginnings. He was one of the principal Roman gods, the custodian of the universe. The first hour of the day, the first day of the month, the first mon...

van Basten, Marco

(Encyclopedia)van Basten, Marco, 1964–, Dutch soccer player. A powerful striker/forward, he began his professional playing career at Ajax Amsterdam (1982–87), where he was a key factor in the team's capturing t...

Bremer, Paul

(Encyclopedia)Bremer, Paul (Lewis Paul Bremer 3d) brĕˈmər [key], 1941–, U.S. diplomat and government official, b. Hartford, Conn. A career diplomat in the Foreign Service from 1966 to 1989, he was ambassador t...

Brock, Lou

(Encyclopedia)Brock, Lou (Louis Clark Brock), 1939–2020, American baseball player, b. El Dorado, Ark. A left-handed outfielder best known for his extraordinary base running skill, Brock was signed by the Chicago ...

Ronaldo

(Encyclopedia)Ronaldo (Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima), 1976–, Brazilian soccer player. A son of Rio de Janeiro's back streets, he signed with his first professional club at 14. Nicknamed “The Phenomenon,” the ...

Shiffrin, Mikaela Pauline

(Encyclopedia)Shiffrin, Mikaela Pauline, 1995–, American skier, b. Vail, Colo. She competed in her first World Cup Alpine event, giant slalom, in 2011, and that same year won the slalom title at the U.S. National...

turtle

(Encyclopedia)turtle, a reptile of the order Chelonia, with strong, beaked, toothless jaws and, usually, an armorlike shell. The shell normally consists of bony plates overlaid with horny shields. The upper portion...

Grant, Mudcat

(Encyclopedia) Grant, Mudcat, 1935-2021, African-American baseball player, b. Lacoochee, Fl., as James Timothy Grant Jr. As a teenager, Grant played baseball, footba...