by Anne on January 31, 2010

Jackie Robinson, athlete
Jan. 31, 1919-Oct. 24, 1972
First in the Field: Baseball Hero Jackie Robinson by Derek Dingle (Hyperion, 1998) The first African-American Major League Baseball player of modern era is featured in this photobiography about his childhood and early adulthood.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame provides basic info and additional links on Robinson’s phenomenal career. Search for Robinson under the “The Hall of Famers” tab on the homepage.
by Anne on January 30, 2010
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, U. S. President
Jan. 30, 1882-Apr. 12, 1945
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
This president had “fireside chats” broadcast over the radio, a collection of miniature pigs and a vibrant wife, Eleanor. FDR was number 32.
Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum today.
by Anne on January 29, 2010
Oprah Winfrey, talk show host
Jan. 29, 1954-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
T.V. talk show host, book lover, actress, philanthropist and more, Ms. O, an African-American, is dedicated to making the world a better place.
One of the richest people in the world, Winfrey recently opened a Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Read an article about the school here.
by Anne on January 29, 2010
William McKinley, U.S. President
Jan. 29, 1843-Sept. 14, 1901
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Number 25 banned the color yellow in the White House. A one paragraph bio of this president highlights his life and career.
Read more about McKinley at The White House site.
by Anne on January 28, 2010

Jackson Pollock, artist
Jan. 28, 1912-Aug. 11, 1956
Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker (Frances Lincoln Publishers, 2005)
Splatter painting anyone? This is a riveting look at Lavender Mist, one of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock’s most famous paintings and how he came to paint it.
Browse the collection of Pollock’s work at The Museum of Modern Art at MoMa.org.