Historic Figures





Two hands draw each other

Artist M.C. Escher Spent a Lifetime Distorting Perspective

Source: PBS NewsHour

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.




George Washington statue in Boston Common, with office buildings in background

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

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

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.


Harriet Tubman statue in Harriet Tubman square

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.


Microphone with blurred audience of protestors and a sign in the background.

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

Source: Muncie Journal

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.