Many of us here are curious and/or avid readers about a multitude of people, places and things. This thread is specifically about historical people who teach us great things. Share from books, web sites ..from anywhere you’ve received a bit of history that you’d like to share.
Here’s an interesting site (3D with sound) ->with lots of info from the Diary of Anne Frank
BE YOU
In response to Laurie~LovesFocusingWell’s post:
This lady was such an inspiration. I really don’t know where she got so much courage and energy.
Harriet Tubman
An amazing woman by all account, Harriet Tubman was instrumental in the Underground Railroad. Following are the facts on Harriet Tubman.
Facts on Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from Maryland who became known as the “Moses of her people.” Over the course of 10 years, and at great personal risk, she led hundreds of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses where runaway slaves could stay on their journey north to freedom. She later became a leader in the abolitionist movement, and during the Civil War she was a spy for the federal forces in South Carolina as well as a nurse.
Harriet Ross was born in Dorchester County, Maryland in 1820. Her parents were from the Ashanti tribe of West Africa, and they worked as slaves on the Brodas plantation. In addition to producing lumber, Edward Brodas raised slaves to rent and sell. Life was difficult on the plantation, and Harriet was hired out as a laborer by the age of 5.
Harriet did not like to work indoors, and her masters routinely beat her. By her early teens, Harriet was no longer allowed to work indoors and was hired out as a field hand. She was a hard worker but considered defiant and rebellious. When she was 15 years old, Harriet tried to help a runaway slave. The overseer hit her in the head with a lead weight, which put Harriet in a coma. It took months for her to recover, and for the rest of her life, Harriet suffered from blackouts.
In 1844, Harriet married a free black man named John Tubman. Harriet remained a slave, but she was able to stay in Tubman’s cabin at night. Although she was married, Harriet lived in fear of being shipped to the deep South, a virtual death sentence for any slave. In 1849, her fears were realized when the owner of the Brodas plantation died and many of the slaves were scheduled to be sold. After hearing of her fate, Harriet planned to escape that very night. She knew her husband would expose her, so the only person she informed was her sister.
Harriet made the 90-mile trip to the Mason-Dixon line with the help of contacts along the Underground Railroad. She had to hike through swamps and woodland. Harriet’s trip was successful, and she settled in Philadelphia. She worked as a dishwasher and made plans to rescue her family. The next year, Harriet traveled back to Maryland and rescued her sister’s family. She then returned to transport her brothers to the North. She went back for her husband, but he had remarried and did not want to follow her. In 1857, Harriet finally returned for her parents and settled them in Auburn, New York.
By this time, Harriet was becoming quite well known and huge rewards were offered for her capture. Harriet was the master of disguise A former master did not even recognize her when they ran into each other on the street. She was nicknamed the “Moses of her people” for leading them to freedom. In all, Harriet made 19 trips on the Underground Railroad and freed more than 300 slaves.
With the arrival of the Civil War, Harriet became a spy for the Union army. She later worked in Washington DC as a government nurse. Although Harriet won admiration from the military, she did not receive a government pension for more than 30 years. At the end of the war, Harriet returned to her parents in Auburn. She was extremely poor and the profits of a book by Sarah Bradford entitled Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, published in 1869 were a financial great help.
In 1870, Harriet married Nelson Davis, who she had met at a South Carolina army base. They were happily married for 18 years until Davis’ death. In 1896, Harriet purchased land to build a home for sick and needy blacks. However, she was unable to raise enough money to build the house and ultimately gave the land to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The church completed the home in 1908, and Harriet moved there several years later. She spent her last years in the home telling stories of her life to visitors. On March 10, 1913, Harriet died of pneumonia. She was 93 years old.
The facts on Harriet Tubman can be summarized in one word – courage. She was not afraid to fight for the rights of African-Americans. Her story is one of dedication and inspiration. In 1897, her bravery even inspired Queen Victoria to award her a silver medal.
Charles Steinmetz was a fascinating and inspiring person. Despite being a hunchback and a dwarf he had a profound affect on the world we live in. He figured out how to transmit AC current over long distances, discovered laws governing megnetism that advanced electric motors and figured out how to create man-made lightning. He figured out how to protect long distance transmission lines from lightning. He immigrated to the U.S. for political reasons, but was almost refused entry into the country because when he arrived here he had no money, no job, spoke almost no English and his appearance was so odd. Luckily for the United States, his traveling companion and friend helped him with the immigration officials. Despite his scientific genius he had difficulty finding work at first he finally resorted to taking a letter of introduction to the friend of an aquaintance who lived in America. The man who hired him recognized Steinmetz’s genius and hired him. After Steinmetz wrote the paper about magnetism that brought him attention GE wanted to hire him. Steinmetz refused to take the offer because he didn’t want to leave the man who had given him his chance. Later GE wanted him so much that they bought out the entire company for which he worked. Steinmetz was of great benefit to GE. I could tell you more about him, but I’m getting tired of writing. He was a truly fascinating person and you should read about him. He was dearly loved by those who knew him.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary
Raise your hand if you know who Simon Bolivar was! It is surprising how many don’t. Maybe you know him by Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar y Palacios? Just kidding, but that IS his real name.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary
Dogen Kigen left us with the Shobogenzo. Hakuin Ekaku for his Song of Zazen, amongst other things. Just to name two inspiring teachers who’s legacy lives on.
And not that historic :) but Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Rainer Maria Rilke obvious reasons :)
“How easy it is in our life, to miss what’s being offered.” — Paul Haller
