Janissaries. 1330-1826. Ottoman sultan’s powerful bodyguard. First recruited from Christian children. Massacred by Mahmud II after revolt.

Japan. 660BC Empire founded by legendary Jimmu. 5C AD First unified state. c552 Buddhism. 1192 First Shogun ruler. 1543 European contact (Portugal). 1639 Isolation. 1868 Meiji restoration. 1945-52 Allies occupy. 1947 Constitutional monarchy.

Jaruzelski, Wojciech. 1923-. Polish leader 1981-90. Banned Solidarity -1989. First free elections, 1989, since WWII.

Java Man. First known fossils of Homo Erectus, discovered 1891.

Jay, John. 1745-1829. US president of Continental Congress 1778. First Chief Justice. Jay’s Treaty.

Jeffersonian Republicans. 1790-. US First opposition party. Advocated limited government vs Federalists.

Jericho. c9000BC. First walled city. 2300BC Amorite. 1900BC Canaanite. c1300BC Israelites destroy.

Jerusalem, Kingdom. 1099-1291. Palestine kingdom created by leaders of First Crusade. King of Jerusalem used as title until 15C.

Jimmu Tennõ. c660BC. Japan’s legendary first Emperor. Direct descendent of Sun goddess.

Jinnah, Muhammed Ali. 1876-1948. Founded Moslem League 1934. Demanded partition of India. First gov-gen. of Pakistan.

Jolson, Al. 1886-1950. US Vaudeville and Broadway performer. First talking film: The Jazz Singer 1927.

Jorgensen, Christine. 1926-89. First m-f sex change patient, 1952.

Kadar, János. 1912-89. Hungarian Prime Minister 1956~65. Communist First Secretary.

Kandinsky, Wassily. 1866-1944. Russian/French. First pure nonfigurative abstract painter. Influenced by Anthroposophy. Blaue Reiter 1903.

Kaunda, Kenneth. 1924-. Zambia. First president 1964-.

Kenyatta, Jomo. 1894-1978. Kenya. First president 1964-.

King William’s War. 1689-97. Britain vs France in North America. War of Grand Alliance. First French-Indian War.

Korolyov, Sergei. 1906-66. Russian scientist. Designed first satellite, first spacecraft.

Kublai Khan. 1215-94. First Mongol Emperor. Conquered China. Established Yüan dynasty.

Kyd, Thomas. 1558-94. English playwright. First ‘revenge’ play: The Spanish Tragedy 1592.

Labour Party. 1888 Scotland. 1890 NZ. 1891 Australia. 1900 Britain. 1930 Israel. Founded by unions, Fabians for democratic change towards socialism. First UK MPs elected 1906. First UK Labour government 1924.

LaCierva y Codorniu, Juan de. 1895-1936. Spanish. Invented autogiro 1923. First vertical take-off 1934.

LaFayette, Marie. 1634-93. First psychological novelist. Princess of Cleves 1678.

Laurier, Wilfrid. 1841-1919. First French-Canadian Prime Minister 1896-1911. Liberal. Boer War.

Law Commission Act. 1965. First codification of English common law.

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