John Lennon (1940-1980)

John Lennon was a guitarist and vocalist for the infamous band – The Beatles. Lennon was born in the UK during a

German Air Raid in World War II. As a child, Lennon didn't get good grades in

class but was an amazing artist. He drew very grotesque figures and his school

master suggested he go to an art school for college.

At 16 years old, Lennon was inspired by Elvis Presley to start his own band called

“The Quarry Men” which later would evolve into “The Beatles”. Lennon was a pop star,

composer, songwriter, and recording artist. In 1969, Lennon left The Beatles and later released albums with his wife Yoko Ono. In

1980 he was killed by a crazed fan.

George Harrison (1943-2001)George Harrison was a vocalist and lead guitarist

for The Beatles. He had little interest in his education especially when he discovered an electric guitar

American Rock 'n' Roll. He met Paul McCartney (also a member of The Beatles) at the grammar

school they both attended. By age 14, Harrison had bought his first guitar and starting teaching himself

some chords.

In 1958, McCartney, who was in a band with John Lennon called The Quarrymen, tried

pushing Lennon to let Harrison join their band. 17 year-old Lennon was reluctant because

Harrison was still 14 years old. Legend has it though, that Harrison got an audition on the

upper deck of a bus where he was accepted to The Quarrymen. Harrison career with The

Beatles was now in full swing. In 1998, Harrison ( a smoker) was diagnosed with throat cancer. He

was successfully treated, however by 2001 it came back and spread to his brain. He died

November 29th 2001.

Paul McCartney (1942 - )

Paul McCartney was a bass guitarist and vocalist for The Beatles. He taught himself how to play the Spanish guitar, trumpet, and piano at a young age. He met John Lennon

in 1957 and joined his band The Quarrymen. When the band's bass guitar

player quit, McCartney took over the job.

McCartney helped Lennon form the band as the co-song writer. When the band changed to The Beatles, there was no stopping their ongoing successes. Even now, there are still no signs of

stopping McCartney. He is still touring and selling out arenas today like he prefers.

Ringo Starr (1940 - )Richard Starkey was a vocalist and drum player for The Beatles. On account of his many illnesses, he often missed school and

dropped out as a teenager. He played as a drummer for Rory Storm and The

Hurricanes in the late 1950s. His name “Ringo” came from the rings he wore, and

“Starr” came from his drum solos which his group called “Starr Time”.

In 1960, Starr was asked by The Beatles to replace their former drum player, Pete Best.

Starr was now on the road to success with the rest of the members of The Beatles. In 1996,

The Beatles gave their last concert and the band members continued working on

their own projects. His son Zak, has continued Starr's legacy in drumming and has played with The Who and Oasis. Starr and his second wife have been married since 1981.

Helen Keller (1880-1968)Helen Keller was the first deaf, and blind

person to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was also a famous humanitarian during

the 20th century, and founded the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) all while she was still at a young age. Beginning in 1987, Anne Sullivan helped Keller make tremendous progress in Keller's ability to

communicate. Keller attended a school for speech and later was able to go to college

and graduate in 1904.

In 1936, Sullivan died and Polly Thompson became Keller's secretary and constant

companion. Keller embarked on a 40,000 mile journey across Asia, inspiring millions of people

through her speeches. Keller received many awards, and degrees from

colleges all over the world. She stood as an example of how determination, hard work, and imagination can allow you to overcome many obstacles. She died in 1968 at 87 years old.

Illustration Illustration 1: Helen Keller

Helen Keller

Billy The Kid (1859-1981)Billy the Kid was a notorious outlaw of the South

West. He was first charged for robbery of a Chinese laundromat in 1875.

However he managed to escape to Arizona wear he then got involved in stealing

horses. Billy the Kid was then about to be executed for murdering William Brady in 1881.

However he managed to kill two guards and escape...again. But two months later he was

found hiding in Fort Sumner, and was shot by Pat Garret during a shootout in a darkened room.

It was later claimed that Billy the Kid killed 21 people in

21 years of his life, but experts say that he was only responsible for 9

deaths.

Shirley Temple (1928 - )Shirley Temple was a famous child film actress. She was a talented singer and

dancer as well, and made her first appearance in film at the age of 3. She

appeared in many films between the age of 3 and 11 years old, and is perhaps the youngest of Hollywood's superstars.

At age 12, her popularity dissipated and she only performed in a few films. By the late

1950s she tried making a comeback, however she failed to capture enough of an

audience. It was in the mid 70s that Temple decided to tap into the world of politics. She served as

an ambassador to the African nation, Ghana. From 1989 – 1992 Temple was the

ambassador to Czechoslovakia. She has released an autobiography on her childhood fame called Child Star: And Autobiography.

Rachel Carson (1907 – 1964)

Rachel Carson was a well-known environmentalist and author. As a child she

had great interest in writing and exploring the outdoors. Carson would later combine her

love for nature and writing. Below is a picture of a one of the books she wrote, Silent Spring,

about how pesticides poison the planet.

Carson mostly wrote about ecology, conservation and the environment. At her

time scientists didn't know much about how things they did everyday could affect the

planet. Carson was courageous to bring her word out and help change how we see the

Earth today.

Martha Graham (1894 – 1991)

Martha Graham was is a famous dancer and choreographer. She was first introduced to

modern dance at the age of 17. At age 22, she started to study dance.

She became inspired by the mysterious style of dancing, and eventually opened her own

dance company.

In 1936, Graham was invited by Nazi Germany to perform at the Olympic Games in Berlin. Going with what she

believed in she declined the request, later to find out that she had been put on a list of undesirable people to be “taken care of” when the Nazis would control the United

States.

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821 – 1910)

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female physician in the United States. She was also a trailblazer and

a well known humanitarian. Even when she was young, Blackwell was not as reserved as girls were expected to be. She decided to become a doctor when her sick neighbor had shown their

appreciation for how much time and care Blackwell gave them.

She was 25 when she started to apply to medical schools. When accepted to Geneva

Medical College in New York, Blackwell found out that she was voted in as a joke

but the faculty had accepted her. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell graduated number one

in her class.

SourcesHelen Keller - First deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degreehttp://www.helenkellerbirthplace.org/helenkellerbio/1%20Helen%20Keller%20Long%20Hair.jpghttp://www.vistalatina.com/images/sp02.jpgBilly the Kid - (19th century) Notorious outlaw of the South Westhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WWbonney.htmhttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yg4eRWrVEwE/TBqDEnQXrmI/AAAAAAAAAAU/y_0NBsmwgrU/s1600/11-25-

2008+04%3B16%3B24PM.jpghttp://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.471260!/img/httpImage/image.jpgJohn Lennon - Guitarist and vocalist for The Beatleshttp://www.biography.com/people/john-lennon-9379045http://www.johnlennon.com/wp-content/themes/jl/images/home-gallery/2.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-

ZW4ndEnlTC8/TyDWv9VdHWI/AAAAAAAADD8/mIoyZV_e2J4/s1600/ProfileLennon.jpghttp://www.myexpression.com/ProdImages/MSMEDIUM/1888.jpgGeorge Harrison - Lead guitarist and vocalist for The Beatleshttp://www.musiceffect.com/cemetery/george_harrison/2.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/George_Harrison_1974_edited.jpg/220px-

George_Harrison_1974_edited.jpghttp://www.biography.com/people/george-harrison-9206804Paul McCartney - Bass guitarist and vocalist for The Beatleshttp://www.ukhairdressers.com/star_gallery/hairstyles/618/2.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Paul_McCartney_black_and_white_2010.jpg/22

0px-Paul_McCartney_black_and_white_2010.jpghttp://www.1-computer-

stationery.com/stationery_template_papers/special_occasions_stationery_papers/jpg_templates/music004.jpg

http://www.biography.com/people/paul-mccartney-9390850Ringo Starr - Drums player and vocalist for The Beatleshttp://www.upperplayground.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ae582830e4starr.jpg.jpghttp://www.billboard.com/images/pref_images/p11326d38f2.jpghttp://www.biography.com/people/ringo-starr-306872Shirley Temple - Child actresshttp://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/T/Shirley-Temple-9503798-1-

402.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Crl7i4yOAw/T3aIVDBnKII/AAAAAAAAACY/pyN3kNktXHY/s1600/shirley3.jpghttp://www.biography.com/people/shirley-temple-9503798Rachel Carson - Environmentalist and Authorhttp://www.jhu.edu/~gazette/2001/feb0501/images/05page4.gifhttp://edu.glogster.com/media/4/32/88/25/32882505.jpgDenenberg, Dennis and Lorraine, Roscoe. 50 American Heroes. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press, 2001.

Print.Martha Graham - Dancer and choreographerhttp://www.theyoungandhungry.com/uploads/images/24102008154843_Martha%20Graham%202.jpghttp://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/files/2008/09/610_graham_intro.jpgDenenberg, Dennis and Lorraine, Roscoe. 50 American Heroes. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press, 2001.

Print.Elizabeth Blackwell - First Women doctorhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ROln4ISlwKo/S_VnU_yWB3I/AAAAAAAAEUU/Ko_sKvJhN2k/s320/elizabeth+bla

ckwell.jpghttp://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Scientists/4thA/images/time_blackwell.jpgDenenberg, Dennis and Lorraine, Roscoe. 50 American Heroes. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press, 2001.

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