… of unprecedented contact between Europeans and subjects of the Ottoman Empire, a situation that spilled over into all areas of society. "Turkish" customs and art became the popular rage in Vienna, as the fear of actual Ottoman a superior opera, with…

… is the greatest boxer ever. He has always been classified as great! He was even classified as the greatest athlete in the 20th century by Sports Illustrated. He was the first to win the heavyweight title three times! He was a worldwide entertainer,…

… climate of Mecca was considered to be unhealthful, he was given as an infant to a wet nurse from a nomadic tribe and spent some time in the desert as a wanderer. By the time he was eight he lost both his mother and his grandfather. Muhammad came…

… piano studies that have stood the test of time, Muzio Clementi is an important figure in music history. He would be the influence of composers for following generations, including Beethoven. Muzio Clementi was born in Rome on January 23, 1752.…

… is set shortly before the American Revolution. The main character is a young man, Robin, who is traveling to the city to 'rise in the world', with the help of his uncle. Robin's journey into the city takes place at night, and Robin immediately…

… a small mining town near Johannesburg in South Africa, which turned out to be the setting for Gordimer's first novel, The Lying Days (1953). Her father was a Jewish jeweler originally from Latvia and her mother of British descent. She was educated…

… Nanak was born in the year 1469 in a village known as Talwandi. Later it was changed in honor of him, it was called "Nanak's Place". His parents were common villagers, his father was a Hindu. When Nanak was 7, he would ask his teacher about the…

… to be one of the greatest conquers and captains of modern times. In history perhaps no one person has ever aroused so many intense opposite emotions. Perhaps no one had ever claimed as much of the admiration, fear, and hatred of all men as did…

… a rugged island in the Mediterranean, which lies sixty miles off the coast of Italy. The Corsicans are proud and independent people. In 1768, when the French took over the island from Genoa, an Italian state, the Corsicans rebelled and fought for their…

… the events of the French Revolution. Called upon by various revolutionary governments to perform, Bonaparte was able to advance his career with each successive coup. When he became a successful commander in the French war against the counter-revolutionar…