Bevan, Aneurin. 1897-1960. British Socialist MP 1929-60. Architect of National Health Service, 1948.

Beveridge Report. 1942. Advocated ‘cradle to grave’ social insurance in Britain.

Bevin, Ernest. 1881-1951. British labour leader, statesman. TUC. Initiated Colombo Plan.

Bhadracarya-pranidhana. Buddhist vows of good conduct.

Bhascara. 1114-85. Hindu mathematician/astrologer. First user of decimal system.

Bhutan. Himalayan kingdom. 9C Tibet invaders settle. c1630 Independent. 17,18C Tibet invades. 1865 Part British 1907 Monarchy. 1910 British Protectorate. 1949 Indian Protectorate.

Bhutto, Ali. 1928-79. Pakistani leader 70-77. Deposed by Zia.

Bible. Hebrew and Christian sacred scriptures translated from Hebrew and Aramaic. 3C BC Greek translation. 1382 Wycliffe, Rogers, English. 1522-34 Luther, German. 1611 King James version. Vulgate by St. Jerome. Apocrypha.

Bichat, Xavier. 1771-1802. French anatomist. “Life is the sum of the forces that restrict death.”

Biddle, John. 1615-62. Founded Unitarianism. 12 Arguments 1644.

Biedermeier. 1815-35. German bourgeois kitsch style of sentimental art and utilitarian furniture. Circular pedestal table.

Bierce, Ambrose. 1842-1914. Satirical US writer. Cobwebs 1874. From an Empty Skull.

Big Bang. 15 billion BCE. Scientifically accepted origin of Universe.

Big Stick Policy. Roosevelt’s foreign policy. Power as a deterrent. Mahan.

Biological Weapons Convention. 1972. Britain, US, USSR agreement to ban germ warfare.

Birch, Samuel. 1869-1955. English Cornish landscape painter.

Biruni, al-. 973-1048. Arab scholar. Chronology of Ancient Nations.

Bishops’ Wars. 1639. Scots vs Charles’ Anglicanism. 1640. Covenanters force Charles to call Long Parliament.

Bismarck, Otto von. 1815-98. Prince. Prussian Prime Minister 1862-90. Founded German Empire; First Chancellor 1871-90. Provoked Franco-Prussian War. Ems Dispatch. Schleswig.

Bjorko Treaty. 1905. Unimplemented military alliance between German Wilhelm II and Russian Nicholas II.

Bjørnson, Bjørnstjerne. 1832-1910. Norwegian poet, novelist: Kongen 1877, National anthem.

Bjørnsson, Sveinn. 1881-1952. First President of Iceland Republic, 1944-.

Black and Tans. 1920-22. Brutal British police sent to suppress Irish unrest. Irish Free State.

Black Army. 1463-1500. Powerful Hungarian mercenary force.

Black Hand. 19-20C. Sicilian criminal secret society.

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