The passengers who thwarted an armed assailant on a European train didn’t just save dozens of lives. They also inspired hope and action around the world.
Category Archives: Heroes and Quests
The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories
Why is it that in every superhero story, the hero never springs fully-formed into action? What’s so important about knowing why each superhero has the special powers he or she does?
Slow boat to Timbuktu
A travel writer explores the contradictions of Africa’s Niger River as it flows through Mali to the ancient city of Timbuktu.
Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
The 1803 Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the young United States. It also opened a vast wilderness to American exploration, starting with the daring quest led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
Stanley Meets Livingstone
Nineteenth-century Scottish missionary and abolitionist David Livingstone gained fame by trekking across Africa and becoming the first European to see many of its sights. When he went missing, the intrepid Henry Morton Stanley was sent to find him.
Can Travel Change You?
Journeys of discovery aren’t just for epic heroes. Anytime we travel someplace new, we change and grow.
Ferdinand Magellan
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is credited with the first journey around the world. Learn about how he—and his crew after his death midway through the journey—achieved this incredible feat.
Why We Explore
No matter how far humans go, there’s always another frontier beyond the last one. Find out what quests NASA scientists have in store for the future, and why.
10 Inspiring Stories of Everyday Heroes
Anyone can become a hero, no matter how ordinary his or her beginnings may have been. Learn about ten regular people with the dedication and drive to accomplish heroic deeds.
Are All Movie Heroes the Same Person?
If you’ve ever watched a movie and thought, This hero reminds me of a hero in another movie, you’re not alone. Author Joseph Campbell explored myths and stories about heroes from around the world and found that they have much in common; his work in turn inspired the creation of new movie heroes, including the heroes of the Star Wars series.
Teen Pilot and Dad Killed in Fatal Flight Inspire Donors
Part of what makes a quest heroic is the element of risk—an epic journey entails danger as well as glory, and some quests do end in tragedy. Read about the noble cause one teen pursued at the risk of his life.
The Girl Who Swims With Sharks
20-year-old Madison Stewart is on a quest to save sharks. Though they might not look like they need protecting, many species of sharks are in danger because of humans engaging in controversial practices and markets. Stewart hopes to change peoples’ minds in time to save these magnificent fish.
Mars One
In April 2013, Mars One launched its Astronaut Selection Program, taking the foundation one step closer to its eventual goal of establishing a human settlement on Mars. Explore the official Mars One site to learn more about the organization, its mission, and the risks and challenges involved in such a historic undertaking.
‘Shadow Divers’: True Story of Solving WWII Mystery
The quest undertaken by John Chatterton and Richie Kohler to identify a sunken ship they came to believe was a German U-boat from WWII was a huge risk in many ways. Listen to Robert Kurson, author of the book Shadow Divers, talk about why the two men pushed themselves beyond their limits to solve this mystery.
The Scott Expedition
Explorers Ben Saunders and Tarka L’Herpiniere recently made history when they completed the 1,795 mile journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. With links to their blog, maps, activities, and more, this site provides an in-depth look at one of the most amazing stories of polar exploration in history.
The Quest to End the Flu
Every year, thousands of people die from the flu. However, the methods used to make flu vaccines are slow. Read this article to find out about the researchers who are on a quest to find new, faster ways to make vaccines.
Felicity Aston: Explorer, Speaker, Author
In January 2012, British adventurer Felicity Aston became the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica. But that is just one of her many adventures. Explore this site to find out more about Aston’s amazing expeditions and upcoming quests.
CNN Heroes: Razia Jan
In 2004, Razia Jan set out on a quest to provide an education to girls in Afghanistan. Watch this video about how an amazing woman brought hope to so many girls.
Kira Salak
Kira Salak has traveled to almost every continent and has led expeditions to places such as Libya, Burma, and Iran. Learn more about this daring modern explorer.
Discovery Rekindles Wish for a Journey to the Stars
What would it be like to travel to another solar system? Former astronaut Mae Jemison, along with an organization called Icarus Interstellar, recently won a large government grant to create a business plan for interstellar travel. How soon might we be traveling to the sun’s nearest neighbor? Read this article to find out.