Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American sharpshooter with a starring role in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Her fame cemented her position as America’s first female star. Oakley is also known for promoting the …[Continue]
George Washington
George Washington, born in Virginia on February 22, 1732, was the triumphant Commander in Chief of the American Revolution, and the first President of the United States. He was also an entrepreneur, farmer, and the only slaveholder among the Founding …[Continue]
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader. In November 1983, President Reagan signed legislation creating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, making it the third national holiday born in the twentieth century. The first was …[Continue]
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) is one of the greatest composers in history. His work marked a turning point for composers, who had previously written primarily for religious services, to teach, or to entertain at social functions. But Beethoven’s …[Continue]
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (December 9, 1906 – January 1, 1992) was a U.S. Naval officer and a pioneering computer programmer. Among other accomplishments, Admiral Hopper was instrumental in the development of the computer programming language COBOL. Here’s another fun …[Continue]
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013) was a South African freedom fighter who became South Africa’s first democratically elected President (1994 to 1999). His leadership was fundamental in dismantling apartheid, and he won the Nobel Peace Prize …[Continue]
Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin (June 7, 1848 – May 8,1903) was a French Post-Impressionist artist recognized after his death for his use of colors and as a forerunner of the Symbolist movement. He was contemporary of Vincent Van Gogh, and his work …[Continue]
Carter G. Woodson
Despite his humble beginnings, historian Carter G. Woodson (1875 – 1950), the son of slaves, earned a PhD. from Harvard. He is known as the father of Black History Month and for his scholarly work promoting the accomplishments of African …[Continue]
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte (August 5, 1769 – May 5,1821) aka Napoleon I, was French Emperor (1804 – 1815) in the years after the French Revolution. He is known for his legal reforms (the Napoleonic Code) and also for his military leadership …[Continue]
Pablo Picasso
Born October 25, 1881 in Malaga, Spain, Pablo Picasso became the defining artist of the twentieth century. As I learned about his life, I was struck by the observation that Picasso was blessed with parents who recognized his gift at …[Continue]
