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Three Fast Facts About Benjamin Franklin

February 18, 2016 by

Upon mention of Benjamin Franklin, you probably think of that famous kite-flying incident and Franklin's ties with Philadelphia. However, there's more to the life of this renowned inventor. Here are three facts to help you learn more about Ben Franklin:

1) Franklin's name is synonymous with the City of Brotherly Love, but Franklin was actually born in Boston in 1706. (At the time, Boston was a British colony.) Franklin was one of ten children.

2) Despite having little formal education, Franklin was an avid reader and captivating writer. He penned newspaper articles under pseudonym, Silence Dogood, and eventually established his own print shop in Philadelphia, which also housed a general store operated by his wife, Deborah. In 1729, Franklin took ownership of Pennsylvania Gazette, a popular newspaper for which he also provided content.

3) Franklin possessed a lifelong interest in science. His inventions include the library chair, bifocals, Franklin Stove, lightning rod, swim fins, and many more.

The Electric Ben Franklin [US History]
Benjamin Franklin [History]
Benjamin Franklin FAQ [The Franklin Institute]

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2 Fascinating “This Day in History” Websites

May 14, 2014 by

Was history always your favorite subject in school? Do you love to share fun historical facts in conversations with friends? If you’re an avid history buff with a love for learning, these fascinating websites that feature the most important events from that particular day are sure to brighten your mornings.

Computer History
If you’re interested in technology, this site will surely get your gears turning. The Computer History Museum website posts daily facts about that day in history, describing famous inventions, births and deaths of computer scientists, and even product launches that changed the world of computers. If you missed a day, the handy calendar icon even allows you to choose a particular date and read facts that were already posted.

Today in Literature
Bookworms of all ages will love the facts posted on Today in Literature. The site uses short blurbs to describe famous books that were released on each individual day, and it also allows you to backtrack to days you might have missed. If you’re interested in a particular author or book, the site also offers links to check out the full story as well.

Public Domain/Public Domain
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Five Women Who Changed History

January 23, 2013 by
With the celebration of Women’s History Month, public awareness of women’s accomplishments over the ages will be at an all-time high. Highlighted below are five women who made their mark on the world and continue to provide inspiration for all people to this day: 
 
Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811 – 1896
Harriet Beecher Stowe impacted the world through her work as an advocate for a slavery-free society. Her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin became a major work of literature in the anti-slavery movement, helping to popularize and define the movement’s central beliefs. 
 
Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 – 1797
Mary Wollstonecraft is famous for having written A Vindication of the Rights of Women, a touchstone work in the early feminist movement. The tract made a powerful and compelling argument for increasing the human and political rights of women. Her efforts to improve women’s lives made her a pioneer in the battle for female suffrage.
 
Rosa Parks, 1913 – 2005
Rosa Parks is a woman who proved how a single brave action can reverberate through the world with positive effects. She was an African-American civil rights activist who rose to fame when she refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger. Her courage and conviction sparked the history-making Montgomery Bus Boycott, and she became an iconic figure in the struggle against racial segregation.
 
Harriet Tubman, 1820 – 1913
Harriet Tubman started out as a slave and ended up as a celebrated figure in the abolitionist movement. Working with the Underground Railroad, a network of antislavery activists, she rescued a large number of slaves. She also participated as a Union spy during the American Civil War and was the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war (which freed over 700 slaves). Later in her life she also became a major activist in the women’s suffrage movement.
 
Amelia Earhart, 1897-1937
Amelia Earhart was a renowned pioneer in the field of aviation. She became the first woman to be awarded the coveted U.S Distinguished Flying Cross, which she received for having flown solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She also set numerous flight records, wrote best-selling books, championed women’s rights, and provided a positive and highly public role model for girls and women everywhere.

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