League of Nations. 1920-46. Versailles. For everlasting peace. Idea of US, who did not join. Germany 1926-33. Maximum 63 nations. Failed 1931 when Japan attacked Manchuria. USSR expelled1939. Dissolved 1946. Mandates.

Leakey, Louis. 1903-72. British anthropological archeologist. With wife Mary, discovered homo habilis and other ancient humanoid fossils.

Lear. Mythological Celtic king. Shakespearean subject.

Lear, Edward. 1812-88. 1846 Book of Nonsense popularized limericks.

Lebanese National Pact. 1943-75. Compromise government of Maronite President, Sunni Prime Minister, Shi’ite Speaker.

LeBrun, Charles. 1619-90. Painter. Head of Gobelins Tapestry Works, 1662-. Versailles decorator.

Lecompton Constitution. 1858. Rejected pro-slavery Kansas constitution.

Lee, Anne. 1736-84. English/US mystic Shaker leader.

Lee Kuan Yew. 1923-. First Singapore Prime Minister 1965-90.

Leeuwenhoek, Antony van. 1632-1723. Dutch. First to describe bacteria 1680, protozoa, corpuscles, spermatazoa 1675.

Legal Tender Act. 1862. US authorizes paper money without gold backing.

Legion of Honour. French national order instituted by Napoleon, 1802. Five ranks: Grands Croix, Grands Officiers, Commandeurs, Officiers, Chevaliers.

Leif Eriksson. Norwegian discoverer of Vinland, 1000.

Leipzig Debate. 1519. Luther vs Eck. Both claim victory.

Lenin, Vladimir Illyich. 1870-1924. Russian Bolshevik revolutionary. Dictator 1917-. Created authoritarian, elite, disciplined organization.

León. 910-1230. Spanish kingdom. Ruled Galicia, Asturias; Portugal to 1143. 1230 +Castile.

Leonidas. King of Sparta. Killed resisting Persians at Thermopylae, 480BC.

Leopold and Loeb. 1924. Wealthy, intellectual partners ‘perfect’ murder of Bobby Franks leads to life imprisonment. Darrow plea avoids execution.

Leopold I. 1790-1865. First King of Belgians 1831-. Maintained neutrality.

Leopold II. 1835-1909. King of Belgians 1865-. Ruled Congo ruthlessly.

Leopold III. 1901-83. King of Belgians 1934-51. German prisoner 1940-5. Abdicated.

Leovigild. Last Visigoth King of Spain 572-86.

Lepanto, Battle. 1571. Major Christian naval victory vs Turks, saving Cyprus.

Lepidus, Marcus. -13BC. Roman triumvir with Antony, Octavian 43-36BC. Failed revolt vs Octavian, 36BC.

Lermontov, Mikhail. 1814-41. Russian Romantic Caucasus poet: Hero of Our Time 1840. Exiled 1837-38,40.

1556 more results ...