Comédie-Francaise. Oldest National theatre. Founded by Louis XIV in 1680. Molière.

Conscription. 1793. Carnot devised first compulsory military service for France. Used in Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

Constitution. 1797. US warship Old Ironsides.

Cossacks. Russian peasant soldiers.

Cumae. 750BC-1205. Oldest Greek colony in Italy. Near Naples.

Damascus. c2500BC. World’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Syria.

Darrow, Clarence. 1857-1938. US defense lawyer for Leopold and Loeb, Scopes, Debs.

Dead Sea Scrolls. 3C BC-1C AD. Old Testament texts of Essenes. Discovered at Qumrum, 1947.

Deborah. Old Testament prophet.

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.

Delilah. Old Testament courtesan. Betrayed Samson.

Delorme, Philibert. c1510-70. French Classical architect. Tuileries Palace 1564. Old Paris Hôtel de Ville.

Depression. 1873-96. Caused by gold shortage, agricultural shortage, overspeculation, deflation.

Détente. 1969-79. Relaxation of Cold War tensions between SALT and Afghanistan Invasion.

Diaz, Porfirio. 1830-1915. Mexican rebel, dictator 1877-1911. Apparent prosperity, but resources sold to foreigners.

Dmitri. 1350-89. Moscow prince defeats Golden Horde 1380.

Domino, Fats. 1928-. US rhythm and blues composer, performer. Sold 23M records 1949-60.

Dragoon. 16-20C. Soldiers trained for infantry and cavalry.

Drury Lane. 1663. Oldest English theatre, London. Rebuilt 1674, 1812.

Egypt. 3100BC Menes unites. 2780 Old Kingdom. 2600 First pyramid. 2040 Middle Kingdom. 1570 New Kingdom. 663 Assyria. 525 Persia. 332 Alexander...323 Ptolemy. 30BC Rome...395 Byzantine. 642 Moslem. 1250 Mameluk. 1517 Ottoman. 1798 Napoleon. 1805 Ottoman. 1882 British occupy. 1914 British protectorate. 1922 Indepedent monarchy. 1952 Coup. 1953 Republic. 1958-61 UAR.

El Dorado. 16C Legendary city of gold in S America.

Éloi, St. c588-660. Treasurer to Clotaire II and Dagobert. Goldsmith.

Emboabas, War. 1708-9. New settlers vs old in Brazil gold rush.

Esterhazy, Ferdinand. 1847-1923. French. Sold secrets to Germans. Blamed Dreyfus.

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