by Anne on October 30, 2009
Charles Atlas, athlete
Oct. 30, 1892-Dec. 23, 1972
Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas by Meghan McCarthy (Knopf, 2007)
Angelo Siciliano was a one-man revolution for fitness. Tired of being a weak and skinny kid, Angelo embarked on a quest for physical health. A trip to a local museum where he saw a statue of Hercules, and a visit to his favorite thinking place, the zoo, where he watched a lion stretch his muscles fueled Siciliano’s inspiration. He took a new name to go with his new muscles—Charles Atlas—and was ultimately named “The World’s Most Perfectly Developed Man.” Atlas inspired millions to exercise, eat right and live right.
Print out a copy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [PDF Version - 7.8 MB) to learn more about keeping healthy.
by Anne on October 30, 2009
John Adams, U.S. President
Oct. 30, 1735-July 4, 1826
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
An early riser, this president had the longest life of any in this office. Adams was the 2nd U.S. president, served one term and had a horse named Cleopatra.
Read more about Adams at the WhiteHouse.gov page devoted to him.
by Anne on October 28, 2009
Lady Liberty, statue extraordinaire
Oct. 28, 1886 dedication
Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick Press, 2008)
Vignettes written from the perspective of those who created the Statue of Liberty offer moving accounts of her inspiring story. From Edouard De Laboulaye, a professor of law in France who dreamed of giving this birthday gift from his country; to Emma Lazarus, who wrote a poem in Liberty’s honor; to Florence De Foreest, a young girl who was one of more than 100,000 people in America who contributed to the campaign to raise funds; this is a story of honor and hope and love. One of the best book cover designs, ever. And the interior art is glorious, too.
You can visit the Statue of Liberty online. Take a look at the beautiful photo gallery, read about Lady Liberty’s history and take the Junior Ranger Program self-guided program for kids.
by Anne on October 27, 2009
George Washington Carver, scientist
c. 1864-Jan. 5, 1943
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki (Aladdin, 1988)
Born a slave, George Washington Carver loved to learn and became one of America’s most important agriculturists.
Visit the George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri preserved by the National Park Service.
by Anne on October 27, 2009
Nawal El Sadaawi, advocate
Oct. 27, 1931-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
“N” is for Nawal, in this collective biography about women. El Sadaawi is an advocate for women’s rights, doctor and writer. Born in Egypt, she was imprisioned for her views of Arab women but has been released.
Visit Nawalsaadawi.net for more info.
Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas by Meghan McCarthy (Knopf, 2007)
