Ballet. Dance form originating in 15C Italy, and codified in Louis XIV court. Refined by Russians 19C.

Balliol, Edward. -1363. Invaded Scotland 1332. King 1332-56. Ceded crown to ally Edward III.

Balliol, John. c1249-1315. King of Scotland 1292-6. Defeated, deposed by Edward I.

Ballot Act. 1872. Established secret ballot in English Parliamentary elections.

Baltard, Victor. 1805-74. French architect. First to employ metal girders: Les Halles. St-Augustine’s Church.

Balthazar. (Belshazzar). -539BC. Babylonian co-regent. Daniel read writing on his wall 539BC.

Bassein, Treaty. 1802. Indian alliance with British East India Company leads to second Maratha War.

Beaufort, François. 1616-69. Adored Fronde general. King of Halles.

Beer Hall Putsch. 1923. Hitler’s unsuccessful Munich uprising. Wrote Mein Kampf while imprisoned 8 months.

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

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.

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

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

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

Black Hole of Calcutta. 1756. Small cell in which 123 of 146 British alledgedly died after being imprisoned by Bengalis.

Blanchard, Jean. 1753-1809. French balloonist. First aerial Channel crossing 1785. Velocipede 1779.

Blondin, Charles. 1824-97. French tightrope walker over Niagara, 1859.

Boccioni, Umberto. 1882-1916. Italian artist. Founded Futurism. Riot in the Gallery 1909.

Bogomils. 9-15C. Slavic ascetic Christian cult. All matter created by the devil.

Bolt, Robert. 1924-95. English dramatist. A Man for all Seasons 1960.

Boniface IV, St. -615. Pope 608-. Instituted All Saint’s Day, Nov. 1.

Boris III. 1894-1943. King of Bulgaria, 1918-. Hitler ally, but avoided war w USSR.

Borromini, Francesco. 1599-1667. Italian Baroque architect. S Carlo alle Quattro Fontane 1665-67.

Bosch, Hieronymus. 1450-1516. Flemish allegorical moralist painter. Garden of Earthly Delights 1505.

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