1. Adolf Hitler was leader of Germany during the Third Reich (1933 – 1945) and the primary instigator of both the Second World War in Europe and the mass execution of millions of people deemed to be "enemies" or inferior to the Aryan ideal.
Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, on April 20th 1889 to Alois Hitler (who, as an illegitimate child, had previously used his mother’s name of Schickelgruber) and Klara Poelzl. A moody child, he grew hostile towards his father, especially once the latter had retired and the family had moved to Linz. Alois died in 1903 but left money to take care of the family. Hitler was close to his mother, who was highly indulgent of Hitler, and he was deeply affected when she died in 1908. He left school at 16 in 1905, intending to become a painter.
Hitler moved to Munich in 1913 and avoided Austrian military service in early 1914 by virtue of being unfit. However, when the First World War broke out in 1914 he joined the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment, serving throughout the war. He proved to be an able and brave soldier as a dispatch runner, winning the Iron Cross (First Class) on two occasions. He was also wounded twice, and four weeks before the war ended suffered a gas attack which temporarily blinded and hospitalised him. It was here he learnt of Germany’s surrender, which he took as a betrayal. He especially hated the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1932 Hitler acquired German citizenship and ran for president, coming second to von Hindenburg. Later that year the Nazi party acquired 230 seats in the Reichstag, making them the largest party in Germany. Helped by support from conservative politicians believing they could control Hitler, he was appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30th 1933. Hitler moved with great speed to isolate and expel opponents from power, shutting trade unions, removing communists, conservatives and Jews.
Hitler engineered territorial expansion, uniting with Austria in an anschluss, and dismembering Czechoslovakia. It was in September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland, that other nations took a stand, declaring war. This was not unappealing to Hitler who believed Germany should make itself great through war, and invasions in 1940 went well. However, arguably his fatal mistake occurred in 1941 with the invasion of Russia, through which he wished to create lebensraum, or ‘living room’. After initial success, German forces were pushed back by Russia, and defeats in Africa and West Europe followed as Germany was slowly beaten. During this time Hitler became gradually more paranoid and divorced from the world, retreating to a bunker. As armies approached Berlin from two directions, Hitler married his mistress, Eva Braun, and on April 30th 1945 killed himself.
http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/hitleradolf/p/prhitler.htm 10.02.10
Picture: http://s.bebo.com/appimage/7955265442/5411656627/PROFILE/i.quizzaz.com/img/q/u/08/05/09/adolf_hitler_portrait.jpg 14.02.10
2. John Stith Pemberton (January 8, 1831 – August 16, 1888) was a Confederate veteran and an American druggist, and perhaps was best known for being the inventor of Coca-Cola, which in his lifetime was used only for medical purposes.
In 1885 Pemberton produced a nonalcoholic alternative to his French Wine Coca. Frank Mason Robinson came up with the name "Coca-Cola" for the alliterative sound, which was popular among other wine medicines of the time. Although the name quite clearly refers to the two main ingredients, the controversy over cocaine content would later prompt The Coca-Cola Company to state that it is "meaningless but fanciful". Robinson also hand wrote the Spencerian script on the bottles and ads. Pemberton also made many health claims for his product and marketed it as 'delicious, refreshing, exhilarating, invigorating' and touted it as a 'valuable brain tonic' that would cure headaches, relieve exhaustion and calm nerves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stith_Pemberton 10.02.10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMa7dM7NHM4&feature=related 14.02.10
Picture: http://morningnoonandnight.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/coca-cola-posters.jpg 14.02.10
3. Galileo was a hugely influential Italian astronomer, physicist and philosopher.
Galileo Galilei was born on 15 February 1564 near Pisa, the son of a musician. He began to study medicine at the University of Pisa but changed to philosophy and mathematics. In 1589, he became professor of mathematics at Pisa. In 1592, he moved to become mathematics professor at the University of Padua, a position he held until 1610. During this time he worked on a variety of experiments, including the speed at which different objects fall, mechanics and pendulums.
In 1609, Galileo heard about the invention of the telescope in Holland. Without having seen an example, he constructed a superior version and made many astronomical discoveries. These included mountains and valleys on the surface of the moon, sunspots, the four largest moons of the planet Jupiter and the phases of the planet Venus. His work on astronomy made him famous and he was appointed court mathematician in Florence.
In 1614, Galileo was accused of heresy for his support of the Copernican theory that the sun was at the centre of the solar system. This was revolutionary at a time when most people believed the Earth was in this central position. In 1616, he was forbidden by the church from teaching or advocating these theories.
In 1632, he was again condemned for heresy after his book 'Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems' was published. This set out the arguments for and against the Copernican theory in the form of a discussion between two men. Galileo was summoned to appear before the Inquisition in Rome. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, later reduced to permanent house arrest at his villa in Arcetri, south of Florence. He was also forced to publicly withdraw his support for Copernican theory.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/galilei_galileo.shtml 10.02.10
Picture: http://images.livescience.com/images/gm_Galileo_Galilei_03_10.jpg 14.02.10
4. William Henry Gates III, KBE, (born October 28, 1955), commonly known as Bill Gates, is the co-founder and current Chairman and Chief Software Architect of Microsoft. According to Forbes magazine in 2004, Gates is the wealthiest person in the world, a position he has held steadily for many years.
In 1975, Gates and Allen co-founded Microsoft Corporation to market their version of BASIC, called Microsoft BASIC. It was the primary interpreted computer language of the MS-DOS operating system, and was key to Microsoft's early commercial success.
With his wife, Gates founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a charitable organization. Critics have called this a response to negative public outcry over the seemingly monopolistic and anti-competitive practices of his company, but those close to Gates say that he had long expressed his plan to eventually give away most (in 1997 the Washington Post reported 90%) of his large fortune. The foundation's grants have provided funds for underrepresented minority college scholarships, AIDS prevention, diseases that strike mainly in the third world, and other causes. In June 1999, Gates and his wife donated US$5 billion to their foundation, the largest single donation ever by living individuals. He has donated more than 100 million dollars to help kids with AIDS.
Accolades
Honorary KBE from the United Kingdom announced, 2004
Top 100 influential people in media, the Guardian, 2001
The Sunday Times power list, 1999
Upside Elite 100, Ranked 2nd, 1999
Top 50 Cyber Elite, TIME magazine, Ranked 1st, 1998
Top 100 most powerful people in sports, The Sporting News, Ranked 28th, 1997
CEO of the year, Chief Executive Officers magazine, 1994Entomologists have named the Bill Gates flower fly, Eristalis gatesi, in his honour.
Estimated wealth
According to Forbes list of the World's Wealthiest People (figures in US Dollars):
1996 - $18.5 billion, ranked #1
1997 - $36.4 billion, ranked #2
1998 - $51.0 billion, ranked #1
1999 - $90.0 billion, ranked #1
2000 - $60.0 billion, ranked #1
2001 - $58.7 billion, ranked #1
2002 - $52.8 billion, ranked #1
2003 - $40.7 billion, ranked #1
2004 - $46.6 billion, ranked #1
http://www.famouspeople.co.uk/b/billgates.html 14.02.10
Picture: http://www.billgatesmicrosoft.com/bill5.jpg 14.02.10
5. Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 - August 2, 1922) was a scientist, inventor, and founder of the Bell telephone company. In addition to his work in telecommunications technology, he also was responsible for important advances in aviation and hydrofoil technology.
In March 1875, Bell and Pollok visited the famous scientist Joseph Henry, who was then director of the Smithsonian Institution, and asked Henry's advice on the electrical multi-reed apparatus that Bell hoped would transmit the human voice by telegraph. Henry replied that Bell had "the germ of a great invention". When Bell said that he did not have the necessary knowledge, Henry replied, "Get it!" That declaration greatly encouraged Bell to keep trying, even though he did not have the equipment needed to continue his experiments, nor the ability to create a working model of his ideas. However, a chance meeting in 1874 between Bell and Thomas A. Watson, an experienced electrical designer and mechanic at the electrical machine shop of Charles Williams, changed all that.
With financial support from Sanders and Hubbard, Bell was able to hire Thomas Watson as his assistant and the two of them experimented with acoustic telegraphy. On 2 June 1875, Watson accidentally plucked one of the reeds and Bell, at the receiving end of the wire, heard the overtones of the reed; overtones that would be necessary for transmitting speech. That demonstrated to Bell that only one reed or armature was necessary, not multiple reeds. This led to the "gallows" sound-powered telephone, which was able to transmit indistinct, voice-like sounds, but not clear speech.
http://www.famouspeople.co.uk/a/alexandergrahambell.html 14.02.10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Graham_Bell 14.02.10
Picture: http://www.corp.att.com/history/images/milestone_1876.jpg 14.02.10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuw5NOPsc08&feature=related 14.02.10
6. Andrew Warhola (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987), more commonly known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, andfilmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. After a successful career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol became famous worldwide for his work as a painter, avant-garde filmmaker, record producer, author, and public figure known for his membership in wildly diverse social circles that included bohemian street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy aristocrats.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, Andy Warhol graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology before moving to New York. His first big break was in August 1949 when Glamour Magazine asked him to illustrate an article called "Success is a Job in New York". Although born Andrew Warhola, he dropped the 'a' in his last name when the credit mistakenly read "Drawings by Andy Warhol."
By 1955 Andy Warhol had almost all of New York copying his work. He was well known for creating ink images with slight color changes. Andy Warhol was into doing popular items like Coca-Cola bottles and celebrities faces, like Marilyn Monroe.
HisCampbell's Soup Can is a classic and an easily recognized work of Andy's. In the 1960s, Andy Warhol also made a series of films about time, boredom and repetition like Empire and The Chelsea Girls which are now underground classics.
Andy Warhol had the privilege of working with the rock band The Velvet Undergroundin 1965. He traveled around the country, not only with The Velvets, but also with 1965 superstar Edie Sedgwick and the lightshow The Exploding Plastic Inevitable.
On June 3rd, 1968, Valerie Solanis, founder and sole member of SCUM (Society for Cutting Up Men), walked into Andy Warhol's studio, The Factory, and shot him three times in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital and doctors said he was dead. Still, they decided to open up his chest and massaging his heart - just in case. It did the trick and Andy Warhol survived. Valerie turned herself in, was put in a mental institute and was later given a three-year prison sentence. After recovering, Andy continued to work. He started interVIEW magazine and published The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again. And though bullets didn't do him in, his own gall bladder did. Andy Warhol died February 22, 1987 after routine gall bladder surgery. In May of 1994, The Andy Warhol Museum opened in Pittsburgh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol 14.02.10
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/490-artist-andy-warhol-biography 14.02.10
Famous painting: http://guilhemetleonard.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/andy-warhol.jpg
Andy Warhol Tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VII2-LnxvR4 14.02.10
7. Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), born Norma Jeane Mortenson, but baptized Norma Jeane Baker, was an American actress, singer, and model. After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early roles were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950) were well received. Monroe was praised for her comedic ability in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch.
Important facts about Marilyn Monroe:
Birth date: June 1, 1926
Birth place: Los Angeles, CA
Death date: August 5, 1962
Death place: Brentwood, CA
Burial location: Corridor of Memories, #24, at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, CA
Height: 5 feet 5 1/2 inches
Weight: Varied, 115 - 120 lbs.
Measurements: 37-23-36 (Studio's Claim); 35-22-35 (Dressmaker's Claim)
Hair color: Blond
Eyes: Blue
High schools: Van Nuys High School; University High School
Occupations: Model, Actress, Singer
Mother: Gladys Baker
Half-brother: Hermitt Jack Baker
Half-sister: Berniece Miracle
Marriages: Jimmy Dougherty (1942-1946); Joe DiMaggio (1954); Arthur Miller (1956-1961)
Stepchildren: Joe DiMaggio, Jr., Jane and Robert Miller
Did you know?
In 1999, Marilyn was named the Number One Sex Star of the 20th Century by Playboy magazine
In 1999, Marilyn was voted the 'Sexiest Woman of the Century' by People Magazine.
Issued on June 1, 1995, Marilyn was featured on a 32¢ US commemorative postage stamp.
Elton John recorded the song "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.
In December 1953, she was the Playboy "Sweetheart" of the Month.
In February 1953, Marilyn was named the “The Most Advertised Girl in the World” by the Advertising Association of the West.
She was crowned Miss California Artichoke Queen in 1947.
In 1946, she began using the stage name Marilyn Monroe, but did not legally change her name until February 23, 1956.
Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio in San Francisco City Hall.
Marilyn Monroe was nominated for the 1956 British Academy Award for "Best Foreign Actress" in the Seven Year Itch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe 14.02.10
Picture:http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/marilyn_monroe/images/marilyn_monroe_sig_335.jpg 14.02.10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYjlzepmg8&feature=player_embedded# 14.02.10
8. Gaius Julius Caesar (born 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.
In January of 49 BC, Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon River in Northern Italy and plunged the Roman Republic into civil war. Caesar's rival, Pompey, fled to Greece. Within three months Caesar controlled the entire Italian peninsula and in Spain had defeated the legions loyal to Pompey.
Caesar now pursued Pompey to Greece. Although outnumbered, Caesar crushed the forces of his enemy but not before Pompey escaped to Egypt. Following Pompey to Egypt, Caesar was presented with his rival's severed head as a token of friendship. Before leaving the region, Caesar established Cleopatra as his surrogate ruler of Egypt. Caesar defeated his remaining rivals in North Africa in 47 BC and returned to Rome with his authority firmly established.
Caesar continued to consolidate his power and in February 44 BC, he declared himself dictator for life. This act, along with his continual effort to adorn himself with the trappings of power, turned many in the Senate against him. Sixty members of the Senate concluded that the only resolution to the problem was to assassinate Caesar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar 14.02.10
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/caesar2.htm 14.02.10
Picture: http://www.utexas.edu/courses/ancientfilmCC304/lecture22/images/3caesar.jpg 14.02.10
9. Napoleon Bonaparte (born 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), was a military and political leader of France and Emperor of the French as Napoleon I, whose actions shaped European politics in the early 19th century.
Young Napoleon was born in Corsica. During his military training in France and while serving as a lieutenant and captain in their forces, he often returned to Corsica to be with family and friends. At the age of 16, while Napoleon was in France training, his father died of cancer and Napoleon became the family’s caretaker. Napoleon and his family fled to Corsica to live in France when Paoli came to power and declared his rule a dictatorship over the island – and thereafter declared independence from France.
Napoleon Bonaparte climbed rank quickly in the armed forces due to his familial connections and his uncanny military knowledge, which he gained through dedicated reading. He also was influenced by the writings of Voltaire and did not practice much in the way of religion. Although he was a Roman Catholic, he often thought about becoming a Muslim after visiting Egypt.
When a riot formed in Paris, in hopes of stopping a national convention, Bonaparte was reinstated to second in command and took care of the situation – by shooting those who began marching on the capital. With his actions, he was said to have alone saved the newly found government of France and was quickly appointed the commander of the Army of the Interior. The new government was known as the Directory. With his new command, he led France to several military triumphs in Austria, Italy, the French colonies, and the Alps.
Napoleon was away from Paris for long periods due to battles and victories. In his absence, the Royalists began gaining power. In order for them not take over, Napoleon proclaimed himself dictator of France and had the full support of the military. When he first took power, peace was restored for a time. However, during these peaceful times, Napoleon carried on his attempts at imperialism, which made Great Britain nervous. The two countries went to war and finding no peace, Napoleon attempted to gather allies and form blockades on British goods.
Napoleon made numerous enemies and became an unpopular subject among other governments. He was removed from power and forced to reside on Elba Island. He soon returned to France and gathered peasants and armies who believed in his cause. When an American attack seemed imminent, he was forced in exile on St. Helena, where he led an easy life and would eventually die due to disease.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon#Exile_on_Saint_Helena 14.02.10
http://www.biographyshelf.com/napoleon_bonaparte_biography.html 14.02.10
Picture:http://www.le-beausset-en-provence.com/beausset-provence-napoléon-bonaparte.jpg 14.02.10
10. Diana, Princess of Wales, (maiden name: Diana Frances Spencer; born 1 July 1961 – 31 August 1997) was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales. Her sons, Princes William and Harry are second and third in line to the throne of the United Kingdom and fifteen other Commonwealth Realms.
Diana was the daughter of Edward John Spencer, Viscount Althorp, and Frances Ruth Burke Roche, Viscountess Althorp (later known as the Honorable Frances Shand Kydd). Her parents divorced when Diana was young, and her father won custody of her and her siblings. She was educated first at Riddlesworth Hall and then went to boarding school at West Heath School.
Diana was no stranger to the British royal family, having reportedly played with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward as a child while her family rented Park House, an estate owned by Queen Elizabeth II. In 1977, she became reacquainted with their older brother, Prince Charles, who was 13 years her senior.
As the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles was usually the subject of media attention and his courtship of Diana was no exception. The press and the public were fascinated by this seemingly odd couple — the reserved, garden-loving prince and the shy young woman with an interest in fashion and popular culture. When the couple married on July 29, 1981, the ceremony was broadcast on television around the world, with millions of people tuning in to see what many considered to be the wedding of the century.
On June 21, 1982, Diana and Charles had their first child: Prince William Arthur Philip Louis. He was joined by a brother, Prince Henry Charles Albert David — known widely as "Prince Harry" — more than two years later on September 15, 1984. Initially overwhelmed by her royal duties and the intense media coverage of nearly every aspect of her life, she began to develop and pursue her own interests. Diana served a strong supporter of many charities and worked to help the homeless, people living with HIV and AIDS, and children in need.
Unfortunately, the fairy tale wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles did not lead to a happily-ever-after marriage. The two became estranged over the years, and there were reports of infidelities from both parties. During their union, Diana struggled with depression and bulimia. The couple's separation was announced in December 1992 by British Prime Minister John Major, who read a statement from the royal family to the House of Commons. The divorce was finalized in 1996.
Even after the divorce, Diana maintained a high level of popularity. She devoted herself to her sons and to such charitable efforts as the battle against the use of land mines. Diana used her international celebrity to help raise awareness about this issue. She also continued to experience the negative aspects of fame — her 1997 romance with Egyptian film producer and playboy Dodi Al-Fayed caused quite a stir and created a media frenzy. While visiting Paris, the couple was involved in a car crash after trying to escape from the paparazzi on the night of August 30, 1997.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana,_Princess_of_Wales 14.02.10
http://www.biography.com/articles/Princess-Diana-9273782 14.02.10
Picture: http://www.yorkblog.com/flipside/img/280px-Diana,_Princess_of_Wales.jpeg 14.02.10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIhlp9LL4f8 14.02.10
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