Tag Archives: Historic Figures

Cesar Chavez Day celebrates a lifetime fight for justice for farmworkers

Cesar Chavez knew the stories of farmworkers who worked hard to provide for their families, often under unfair conditions. Learn more about how Chavez dedicated his life to fight for farmworkers’ rights.

Artist M.C. Escher Spent a Lifetime Distorting Perspective

M.C. Escher was a Dutch graphic designer known for his innovative optical illusions, impossible drawings, and transforming tessellations, or interlocking tiles that slowly morphed from images like squares to fish to birds and back again. This video is from an exhibition of Escher’s art, which is no longer on display, but it nicely summarizes both his distinctive style and his continuing impact on popular culture.

Anne Frank: Her Life, Her Diary, Her Legacy

View and read this photo gallery for a timeline of Anne Frank’s life and the historic events that shaped it.

History of the Plymouth Colony

Read the article to learn more about how Plymouth Colony came to be and what life was like for the Pilgrims who made the journey from Europe.

You Need to Know Shirley Chisholm

Watch this video clip to learn more about Shirley Chisholm; an iconic American figure celebrated for her ambition and courage.

George Washington’s Farewell to the Nation Marked the Birth of American Democracy

Imagine a leader so respected that his farewell speech shaped the very ideals of democracy—George Washington’s decision to step down after two terms wasn’t just a farewell, it was the blueprint for the peaceful transfer of power that defines American democracy today.

Historian Illuminates Crucial Chapter of Harriet Tubman’s Legacy

Harriet Tubman’s courage extended far beyond the Underground Railroad—she played a crucial role in the largest rebellion of enslaved people in U.S. history. This remarkable chapter of her legacy stands as a powerful example of sacrifice, resilience, and the fight for freedom.

BSU Names Multicultural Center in Honor of Civil Rights Icons Vivian Conley and Hurley Goodall

These two activists dedicated their lives to education, equity, and service, paving the way for inclusion and empowerment. Their legacies remind students everywhere of the power of advocacy and determination to transform communities.

Nellie Bly Biography

Nellie Bly (born Elizabeth Cochran) was a pioneer in investigative journalism. She took great risks, such as going undercover as a patient of a mental institution and a worker in a sweatshop, and her work was instrumental in making improvements in the poor working conditions and treatment of women.

Timeline of Events Leading to the Brown v. Board of Education Decision, 1954

What events took place before America’s schools were finally integrated? What did the Supreme Court have to say about discrimination along the way to the Brown decision? Check this handy timeline to find out.

9 Virtual Tours of Shakespearean Spots

William Shakespeare is widely considered to be the greatest writer in the English language and now, thanks to modern technology, you can explore some of the most iconic places from the playwright’s life, and the locations said to have inspired him, from the comfort of your own home.

A Look Into The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Did you know that Sleepy Hollow is a real place? And that many of the characters in the story were loosely based on real people? Take a brief tour of the area with National Geographic and learn how Washington Irving got some of his ideas for America’s most famous ghost story.

At a Bold Meeting 250 Years Ago, the Continental Congress Set America in Motion

In October of 1774, the First Continental Congress met to discuss and write a petition to the King. Although the petition didn’t work as planned, the Congress set the stage for what would become the American Revolutionary War.

Commemorating and Learning our Shared History: Juneteenth, Emancipation and Afro-Latino Abolitionists

In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, learn more about these prominent Afro-Latino abolitionists and their fight for freedom across the Americas.

‘I only learnt to know her through her diary’: Anne Frank’s father on how his daughter lived on after her death

Seventy-seven years after it was first published, this article takes another look at The Diary of a Young Girl. Learn the story behind how and why Anne Frank’s diary got published.

The Merry Wives of Windsor offers strong evidence that Shakespeare was not its author

Some scholars of Shakespeare question the identity of the beloved playwright. This article discusses facts that have led some to believe The Merry Wives of Windsor was written by a different author.

Bernice Johnson Reagon, a founder of The Freedom Singers and Sweet Honey in the Rock, has died

Learn more about the legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon, remembered for her activism, musicianship, and courage.

Science and Poetry: Predation or Symbiosis?

Though poets often draw on imagery from nature, science and poetry often appear to be set in opposition to each other. Can the world of facts mesh with the world of emotions? In this essay, poet and scientist Pireeni Sundaralingam analyzes the complex relationship between the two.