Beresteczko, Battle. 1651. Poland defeats Ukraine Cossacks who then ally with Russia.

Berg, Alban. 1885-1935. Austrian opera composer. Adopted 12-note method. Atonal-tonal fusion. Wozzeck 1925.

Bergerac, Cyrano de. Cyrano.

Bergerac, Peace. 1577. Ends 6th French War of Religion.

Bergman, Ingmar. 1918-. Swedish filmmaker dealing with moral issues, psychoses. Persona 1966.

Berlin. Capital of: 1701 Prussia. 1871 Germany. 1949 German Democratic Republic. 1990 Germany.

Berlin Conference. 1884. Bismarck called 15 nations to resolve African issues. Congo granted independence. Slavery suppressed.

Berlin Wall. 1961-89. Soviet troops erect. US guarantees West Berlin’s freedom.

Berliner, Emil. 1851-1929. Microphone 1877. Disk phonograph record 1887.

Berlioz, Hector. 1803-1869. French Romantic composer. Grandiose themes directly from feelings.Symph. Fantastique 1830. Romeo and Juliette 1839. Treatise on Orchestration 1844. Damnation of Faust 1846.

Bernhardt, Sarah. 1844-1923. French dramatic actress. Roles in Phèdre, La Tosca.

Bernicia. 6C Anglian kingdom in Northumbria. Deira.

Berry, Jean, duc de. 1340-1416. Regent of France for Charles VI. Policies caused Peasants Revolt 1381-4. Patron of arts. Limburg.

Bérulle, Cardinal Pierre. 1575-1629. Founder of Oratory. ‘French’ school of spiritual thought. Congregation of priests...Lazarites. Congregationalists.

Bessarabia. Disputed Black Sea region between Romania and Russia. 14C Moldavia. 15/16C Ottoman. 1812 Russia. 1918 Romania. 1940 MSSR. 1941 Romania. 1944 USSR. 1991 Moldova.

Betti, Ugo. 1892-1953. Italian dramatist. La Padrona 1927.

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

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.

Biafra. 1967-70. Ojukwu-led Ibos try to secede from Nigeria resulting in famine.

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.

Bibliothèque Nationale. French National Library begun by Charles V collection now houses 20M works. 7M Books.

Bienvenüe, Fulgence. 1852-1936. “Père du Metro”. Engineered first Paris métro line 1898.

Birdseye, Clarence. 1886-1956. US inventor of frozen foods. Founded General Foods, 1924. 300+ patents.

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