Union. The North. States which did not secede during the American Civil War. Confederacy.

United Arab Emirates. 1820 = Trucial States. 1892 British protectorate. 1971 Independent federation.

United Irishmen. 1791. Underground organization founded by Wolfe Tone. Irish Rebellion 1797-98.

United Provinces of Central America. CAF.

Urquiza, Justo de. 1801-70. Overthrew dictator, de Rosas. Argentine Confederation president 1854-60.

Ursulines. 1535. Roman Catholic order founded by Angela Merci for the education of women.

Utraquists. 15C. Moderate Bohemian Hussite sect; most re-absorbed by Roman Catholic Church 1620. Moravian Church.

Valentine, St. c270. 2 Christians martyred by Claudius II. Modern celebration derives from Roman Lupercalia fertility festival.

Vargas, Getúlio. 1883-1954. Dictatorial Brazilian president by revolution 1930-45, 51-. Modernization.

Vassal. Feudal holder of a fief in exchange for services.

Vaucreuil, Cavagnal, Marquis de. 1698-1765. Governor of New France. Surrendered to Britain 1760. Seven Years War.

VE Day. May 7, 1945. Folowed German surrender signed May 7 in Reims.

Velázquez, Diego. 1599-1660. Spanish Naturalist court painter. Old Woman Frying Eggs 1618. Coronation of the Virgin 1641. Philip IV 1644. Surrender of Breda. Borrachos. Venus and Mirror 1655.

Velleda. German druidess, prophet under Vespasian.

Venezuela Boundary Dispute. 19C over border with British Guiana. 1899 Most territory to Britain. Monroe Doctrine.

Verne, Jules. 1828-1905. French Science Fiction fantasy writer. Voyage to the Centre of the Earth 864. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1870. Round the World in 80 Days 1873.

Vienna, Congress. 1814-15. Redrew map of Europe after Napoleon. Prussia gains Rhine, Westphalia. Swiss borders and neutrality confirmed. Netherlands created from Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg. Malta and Cape Colony ceded to Britain. Russia gets Poland. Austria trades Netherlands for north Italy. France reduced to 1792 borders. Metternich.

Villehardouin, Geoffroi de. c1150-1213. French crusader/historian. Conquête de Constantinopole 1209.

Vincent of Beauvais. c1190-1264. French Dominican priest. Wrote encyclopedic Speculum majus 1259.

Violencia. 1948-62. Spain under Franco. 1946-64. Colombian repression. 200,000 dead.

Vishnu. Hindu god. Preserver of world and moral order.

Vladimir I, St. 956-1015. First Christian Russian ruler. Ordered people to convert.

Vo Nguyen Giap. 1912-. Viet Minh commander 1946-54, 1966-75. Minister of Defence 1954-. Tet Offensive. Defeated Japanese 1942-5, French 1946-54, US 66-76.

Walesa, Lech. 1943-. Polish Solidarity leader instrumental in forcing decline of Communist rule. President 1990-96.

Walker, George. 1618-90. Hero of siege of Londonderry, 1688.

50 more results ...