Defoe, Daniel. 1660-1731. English writer: Robinson Crusoe 1719; Moll Flanders 1722. Idea of savings bank, 1697.

Deirdre. Fled Ireland with her lover, who was killed by King Conchobar in old tale.

Delhi Durbar. 1911. George V holds court in Delhi. Only occasion of its kind.

Delian League. 478-404BC. 140-400 Greek cities allied for mutual protection vs Persia. Basis of Athenian power. Revived 378 as Athenian League.

Delibes, Leo. 1836-91. French ballet composer: Coppélia 1870.

Democracy. Government based on rule by the people.

Deorham, Battle. 577. Saxons def Welsh.

Desaix, Louis. 1768-1800. French general. Killed at Marengo.

Desiderius. Last Lombard king 757-74. Defeated by Charlemagne.

Desmoulins, Camille. 1760-94. French journalist, lawyer and conventionnel. Speech inspired the storming of the Bastille. Executed as Moderate.

Dettingen, Battle. 1743. English defeat French in War of Austrian Succession.

Diaghilev, Sergei. 1872-1929. Russian. Founder of Ballet Russes (Paris) 1909.

Diaz, Bartolomeu. c1450-1500. Portuguese. First to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in 1487/8.

Diderot, Denis. 1713-84. French writer, editor of Encyclopédie 1745-72 based on Chambers’. Rameau’s nephew.

Dien Bien Phu, Battle. 1954. Decisive Vietnamese victory; ends French rule.

Dillinger, John. 1902-34. Murderous US bank robber. Killed by FBI.

Dionysus. Greek god of wine and orgies = Bacchus.

Disputations. 4-18C Compulsory public debates, Jew vs Christian.

Dogger Bank Incident. 1904. Russians sink British North Sea fishing trawlers believing them to be Japanese torpedo boats. Compensation paid. Russo-Japanese War.

Domesday Book. 1086. Census and survey of England. Ordered by William I as basis for taxation.

Donation of Pepin. 756. Land exchanged for Pope’s recognition. Basis of Papal States.

Donnelly, Ignatius. 1831-1901. US author. “Proved” Bacon wrote Shakespeare’s plays. Great Cryptogram 1888.

Doric. 7C BC. Order of Greek architecture. Baseless columns with square capitals.

Dorylaeum, Battle. 1097. First Crusade victory over Turks. 1147. 2nd Crusade Turkish victory.

Doubleday, Abner. 1819-93. US formerly thought to be baseball inventor. Cartwright.

931 more results ...