by Anne on October 30, 2011
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, 2011
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 29, 2011
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 28, 2011
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 26, 2011
Mahalia Jackson, musician
Oct. 26, 1911-Jan. 27, 1972
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001)
Renowned gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson “brought the blues feeling into church music.” Born in New Orleans, she moved to the city of Chicago when she was a teenager. It was there that Jackson found her voice.
America’s Library has a small feature on Mahalia Jackson with photos that would be of great interest to children.
