by Anne on March 24, 2008
John Harrison, inventor
Mar. 24, 1693-Mar. 24, 1776
The Man Who Made Time Travel by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003)
Harrison succeeded in figuring out how to track longitude for ships at sea…after five tries and over thirty-five years. Thank you for your perseverance, Mr Harrison!
The National Maritime Museum dedicates a page to Harrison and the Longitude problem.
Harry Houdini, magician
Mar. 24, 1874-Oct. 31, 1926
Houdini: World’s Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Eric Velasquez (Walker Books for Young Readers, 2005)
Houdini sawed people in half and wrapped himself in chains—all in the name of magic. This biography offers a look inside his life, his challenges and his performances.
Visit the PBS American Experience site about Houdini, The Man Behind the Myth for a timeline, gallery, teacher’s guide and special features.
by Anne on March 22, 2008
Shaka, ruler
c. 1787-ca. Sept. 22, 1828
Shaka: King of the Zulus by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema, illustrated by Diane Stanley (HarperTrophy, 1994)
A respected leader, this story of Shaka’s childhood and rise to power in southern Africa is a story of perseverance.
Some information about the Zulu Tribe is available from the University of Iowa.
by Anne on March 21, 2008
Johann Sebastian Bach, musician
Mar. 21, 1685-July 28, 1750
Sebastian: A Book about Bach by Jeanette Winter (Silver Whistle, 1999)
Bach survived the sorrows of childhood and created magnificent music. And aren’t we glad he did!
The J.S. Bach Home Page celebrates the life and work of Bach.
Ruth Law, aviator
Mar. 21, 1887-Dec. 1, 1970
Ruth Law Thrills a Nation by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin, 1995)
In 1916, Law flew nonstop from Chicago to New York and set the American record. This is the story of her great achievement.
See a photo of Law and read a short bio at the Hill Aerospace Museum.
by Anne on March 19, 2008
Charles M. Russell
Mar. 19, 1864-1926
Cowboy Charlie: The Story of Charles M. Russell by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt Children’s, 1995)
When he grew up, Russell wanted to be a cowboy. He did that and more. After years on the frontier, he exchanged that life for one of an artist and brilliantly painted and sculpted the Old West.
According to their web site, the C.M. Russell Museum has the “most complete collection of Russell works and personal objects in the world.” Mosey on over soon.
by Anne on March 18, 2008
Grover Cleveland, U.S. President
Mar. 18, 1837-June 24, 1908
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
In one paragraph, the legacy of the 22nd president is summed up. Cleveland was the only president to marry in the White House.
Cleveland facts are available on the IPL (Internet Public Library)site.
