(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) Mazepa, IvanMazepa, Ivanēvänˈ məzyāˈpə [key], c.1640–1709, Cossack hetman [leader] in the Russian Ukraine. He was made hetman (1687) on the insistence of Prince Gallitzin, adviser to…
(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) Montfort, Simon deMontfort, Simon demŏntˈfərt, Fr. môNfôrˈ [key], c.1160–1218, count of Montfort and earl of Leicester. A participant in the Fourth Crusade (1202–4), he did not join in…
actor, comedian, composerBorn: 4/19/1935Birthplace: London, England Composer, cabaret comedian and film and stage actor who was at his best when performing with Peter Cook in the comedy revue…
Classic Ballets Because many ballets take their stories from folklore, they can feel like fairy tales told through dance. Here are some favorites. The date the ballet was first performed is in…
actorBorn: 12/27/1879Birthplace: Sandwich, Kent, England Tea-planter turned actor, Greenstreet's distinctive presence added weight to Warner Brothers films throughout the '40s. Often paired with…
(Encyclopedia) GallitzinGallitzingəlĭtˈsĭn [key], Rus. GolytsinGallitzingəlyēˈtsĭn [key], Russian princely family. Among many alternate spellings are Galitzin, Galytzin, and Galitsin. Vasily…
