Heroes of History

For two hundred years, British slave ships plied in the Middle Passage, taking African men, women, and children to their doom. Ending slavery in the mighty British Empire seemed like an impossible dream, but once William Wilberforce resolved to represent the abolitionists in Parliament, he would fight to the bitter end - for nearly half a century - to achieve that goal. Together with a community of dynamic reformers, Wilberforce struggled to rid his nation of evil and to give dignity and freedom to all people - slave and slave trader, poor and powerful. His example continues to inspire others to use their gifts and influence to do good against the odds.

“You fool of a boy!” William’s father screamed. “You had the world ahead of you, and you threw it away for some religious meeting. Why, Parliament has ordered the heads of a dozen Puritans to be stuck on poles around the city as a warning against disobeying the law. Have you thought of that? Have you thought of anything?” With the favor William’s father enjoyed in Britain’s royal court, all William had to do was show himself to be a faithful royalist, and wealth and privilege would be his. Instead he chose to follow his conscience--to expulsion from university, disinheritance, imprisonment, and the threat of death. In a world where freedoms were subject to the whims of rulers, William Penn worked passionately for religious tolerance. When this Quaker reformer secured a land grant in America, he laid for Pennsylvania a foundation of liberty, justice, fairness, and tolerance that would later guide the drafting of the Constitution of the United States.

Growing up in a small town in England, William Bradford lived during a time of upheaval and opportunity. Together with a group of Separatists, William escaped England to establish a new life in Holland and finally set out on the Mayflower on a perilous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The New World beckoned as a land of freedom and possibility. Yet wild waters, icy winters, Indian attacks, starvation, and treason threatened the European settlers’ very existence. Through William’s vision and steadfast leadership, the people of Plymouth Colony would endure, their future descendants forming the cornerstone of a great nation.

With only three months of formal education, Thomas Edison grew up to be one of the most successful inventors of all time. Applying scientific principles to practical use, he made scores of inventions and held over thirteen hundred patents, from improvements on the telegraph and phonograph to the development of the incandescent lamp and a whole system for distributing electricity. Edison’s rise from humble beginnings and his unceasing struggle to overcome obstacles illustrate the spirit of America. His genius and investigative methods shaped the future and continue to influence new generations.

Determined to make a difference and with an insatiable curiosity, love of adventure, and hunger for justice, Theodore Roosevelt exemplified a life directed by principles and not by circumstance. Overcoming severe asthma and a weak heart set young Teddy on a life course against all odds. Whether rooting out government and corporate corruption, leading the legendary Rough Riders in war, establishing wildlife refuges and national parks, ranching in the Badlands of Dakota, writing books, or exploring dangerous uncharted land, the twenty-sixth president of the United States embraced every challenge and made his life count.

From his early days living in small-town poverty, young Dutch Reagan’s thoughts were always on the future. Whether helping his family through financial hard times or doggedly pursuing opportunities reserved for the few, Dutch knew that all the knowledge that he had absorbed over the years was waiting inside of him for a chance to come out. Achieving success as an athlete, sports announcer, and actor, Ronald Reagan discovered his greatest role late in life, as the fortieth president of the United States and The Great Communicator, a man with the ability to reach out to the American people and leave a lasting legacy.

At last Orville was free, soaring above the sand dunes, wind in his face. Lying in the glider’s wing, he moved his hips in the control cradle and the craft began to turn as planned. But then something went wrong. The glider wanted to go into a spin, and as Orville struggled with the controls, it came to a standstill in midair. When Orville Wright (1871–1948) and his brother Wilbur set out to solve the problem of flight, they recognized that success would come with careful observation, perseverance, and ingenuity. From experiments in their Dayton, Ohio, bicycle shop to test flights over the beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the amateur aviation enthusiasts risked their lives and worked tirelessly to solve the problems that had stumped the world’s best scientists. Together the Wright brothers designed and constructed a power-driven airplane and, in it, made the world’s first controlled, sustained flights. As a result, the skies were opened and the era of aviation began.

‘We’ve done more than our share to see you right, but you’re a Hershey, a true son of a dreamer,’ Milton’s Uncle Abraham said. ‘You’ll never stick with anything long enough to make it work for you.’ Milton gulped. He’d already suspected that his relatives had given up on him succeeding as a candy maker, but the words still stung. When Milton Hershey’s famous Hershey Bars debuted in 1905, few people knew of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice preceding the triumph. Debt, lack of support, and fatigue had been constant companions for the famous chocolatier and philanthropist -- a man with a fourth-grade education. Despite comparisons to his wandering father, Milton never gave up. Learning from his mistakes, he spent a lifetime creating sweet things to eat -- first caramel, then chocolate. As his company soared, Milton used his wealth to care for others, founding a town for Hershey workers, a school for children in need, and a foundation dedicated to education, culture, and health care.

Meriwether Lewis had been commissioned by President Jefferson to lead a daring expedition so remarkable it would become one of the most famous explorations in history. He chose as his co-captain William Clark. Their mission - to find a land route to the Pacific Ocean while learning as much as possible about the thousands of miles of unexplored territory they struggled through (1774–1809).

When the canteen water supply ran dry again, Louie began to doubt they’d survive. He thought back to when he first arrived in Hawaii and Eddie Rickenbacker and his crew had just been rescued from a record of twenty-one days drifting on rafts much like the one Louie was in. Louie was sure that twenty-one days on a life raft represented the outer limits of human survival. As an Olympic runner, a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, and a prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini was determined to thrive and survive. Never backing down from a challenge, he lived a life of adventure while modeling hope and forgiveness to a generation. A magnet for trouble as a boy, Louie determined to create a new path for himself. Nicknamed the “Torrance Tornado,” he set national records and traveled to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. His resolve as a runner was matched by his will to survive a plane crash, weeks adrift at sea, and years in a prison camp. This American hero encouraged countless others to have faith and to persevere through trials, revealing that no life is beyond redemption.

Laura stared at the black cloud blotting out the sun. The cloud was unlike anything she had ever seen. As it got closer, it made a strange noise, like hail pelting the ground. Suddenly the sky began to rain grasshoppers. The bugs clung to Laura’s hair and clothes and peered at her with bulging eyes. Soon they began destroying Papa’s crops. From the big woods of Wisconsin to the Indian country of the Great Plains, new adventures and landscapes filled the rich childhood of Laura Ingalls Wilder. On a frontier steeped in both danger and great possibility, Laura would grow up to witness firsthand the rapid transformation of the West as pioneers and covered wagons gave way to farms, towns, and railroads. A pioneer, teacher, farmer’s wife, and storyteller, Laura Ingalls Wilder experienced one of the most exciting times in American history -- history that this gifted writer brought to life for millions and preserved for generations to come.

Written for readers age 10 and up -- enjoyed by adults! John’s heart sank. A British man-of-war was plowing through the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean in hot pursuit of his ship. If the British caught up with the Boston, John would be hanged. He had proudly signed the Declaration of Independence and was carrying the colonies’ secret papers. He couldn’t be captured now! Growing up in Massachusetts, longing to be a farmer like his father, John Adams never imagined the vital role he would one day play in the transformation of the colonies into an independent American nation. As the injustices of British rule stirred up the colonists to revolution and independence, this rising young lawyer became and influential member of the Continental Congress and a passionate advocate for freedom. As a foreign diplomat for the young United States, first vice president, and second president, this true American patriot held firmly to his integrity and left an uncompromising legacy: independence forever.

The pounding of horses’ hooves shattered the night’s silence. Harriet froze in the shadow of a tree and peered out into the darkness. She barely dared to breathe as three slave catchers came to a halt only a few feet from her hiding place. Had she escaped from danger so many times only to lose her hope of freedom now? At age six the sharp bite of a whip taught Harriet Tubman what it meant to be a slave. The other slaves scoffed when Harriet resolved to escape north someday. Little did they know that this girl would one day lead hundreds of slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Even huge rewards for her capture -- dead or alive -- did not stop Harriet from risking her life again and again in the fight for liberty as the nation spiraled into the Civil War. Whether running from slave hunters, advising generals, or improving condition in war hospitals, remarkable Harriet Tubman would not be satisfied until every person could experience true freedom.

Behind George were enemies; in front, a raging ice-packed river. Poling across had seemed his best chance, but now large blocks of ice slammed into his makeshift raft, twisting it off course. Just as George dug his pole in and pushed with all his might, a block of ice hit the raft -- the raft slammed into the pole -- and George was overboard. On a dangerous mission for the British army, young Major Washington had no idea that one day he would lead an army of fellow colonials in a bitter battle for independence against Great Britain herself, the most powerful empire in the world. In each new crisis, the young United States sought out George Washington. As commander in chief of the Continental army, chairman of the Constitutional Convention, and first president, this indispensable American served the struggling nation when its survival and form hung in the balance.

George’s mother panicked when she heard the thunder of horses and the whooping of men. Bushwhackers! She pulled her baby close to her chest and stood rooted to the dirt floor in fear. A man stumbled through her doorway. “We got us one, boys!” he yelled, waving his rifle in the air and dragging his captives into the cold night. Once a kidnapped slave baby, George Washington Carver found freedom in learning everything he could about the world around him. Overcoming poverty and racism, George became a brilliant scientist and a gifted professor who dedicated his expertise to helping black farmers escape the devastating grip of poverty. George’s scientific creativity knew no limits. His ingenious experimentation with peanuts and other plants helped rescue the failing Southern economy. Still remembered for his far-reaching and diverse achievements, Dr. Carver generously shared his talent simply for the reward of helping others.

Born into slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass was separated from his mother during infancy, then taken from his grandparents at the age of six to serve at the “Great House” on the Wye Plantation in Maryland. He never imagined the cruelties he would witness or the indignities of his family being treated like cattle to be sold, divided, and scattered far and wide. Escaping from slavery, Frederick Douglass became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in America, the greatest orator of his day, an influential newspaper publisher, writer, and statesman, and the most important African American of the nineteenth century (1818–1895).

As adventurers from around the world raced to reach the South Pole and achieve other polar firsts in the early 1900s, outsider Ernest Shackleton and his motley expeditions would outshine even the British navy, becoming icons of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Known for prizing loyalty, leadership, and skill without regard for rank or social class - and for bringing men back alive - Shackleton completed three death-defying Antarctic journeys. Called the Boss by his crew and Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton by the king, the Anglo-Irish explorer counted it all part of life’s grand adventure.

Narrative biography of Elizabeth Fry, English Quaker and prison reformer (1780–1856) Exposed to the horrendous living conditions of women prisoners and their children, Elizabeth Fry pledged to improve the lives of society’s most desperate people - something no one else dared to do. Telling doubters, “If I don’t, who will?” Betsy became one of England’s greatest reformers and one of the nineteenth century’s most beloved people. Guided by her Quaker values, she led efforts in education and literacy, prison reform, and - together with figures such as William Wilberforce and Thomas Fowell Buxton - the abolition of slavery. Elizabeth Fry insisted on justice and forever changed the way human beings treat one another.

Born in Denison, Texas, Dwight David Eisenhower grew up poor in Abilene, Kansas. After graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point, Ike entered army service, commanding tank training in WWI and afterward, serving in Central America, Europe, and the Philippines. During WWII Ike directed US forces in Europe, eventually becoming supreme commander of Allied forces and leading the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. A lifetime of service, sacrifice, and humility shone brightly on the world stage for the brilliant general who would become the thirty-fourth president of the United States (1890–1969).

Under siege on the island of Corregidor, General Douglas MacArthur received a warning from the enemy. “You are well aware that you are doomed,” the Japenese general wrote. “The end is near. The question is how long you will be able to resist. You are advised to surrender.” Of course, there was no way Douglas was going to surrender. Whether masterminding battle strategies or guiding the peace process among war-torn nations, 5-Star general MacArthur faced challenges with unwavering courage & resolve . The general began his honored army career by leading his fellow cadets at West Point and ultimately commanded all U. S. forces in Asia. Remembered especially for directing the fight against Japanese expansion during WWII and later governing the defeated Japanese people with grace and wisdom, General MacArthur won the respect of millions, both allies and enemies.

David’s father stood beside the stone chimney and spoke to his son. “It’s time to grow up, lad,” he said. “Mr. Siler has hired you to go to Virginia with him. He’s run ragged trying to keep the cattle with him, and he needs a young ’un with strong legs and keen eyes to help him out. Better hitch the wagon and say your good-byes.” Growing up in Greene County, Tennessee, Davy Crockett’s education came from the toil of hard labor. Working as a farm hand and wagon driver, he learned about the people and the land of the West -- and he was captivated. The untamed wilderness, the sound of wild animals, and the roar of the river would be his destiny. One of America’s best-known folk heroes, Crockett served as a frontiersman, a scout, a soldier, and a politician in the U.S. Congress. He died defending the Alamo, a steadfast citizen and heroic leader to the very end.

Chief Blackfish handed Daniel a belt. “The beads represent three paths,” he said. “The red path is the warpath. The white path is the path we can walk together. The black path is death--the path you will walk if you do not surrender.” Daniel knew that the settlers would not give up the fort. Could he help them escape the path of death?” In search of open spaces and land to call his own, Daniel Boone fearlessly led a band of brave settlers into the bountiful Kentucky wilderness. Daniel’s expert hunting ability, incredible outdoor survival skills, and courage under fire helped his companions stay alive in a dangerous and unknown land despite threatening encounters with soldiers, Indians, and even other settlers. From the childish pranks of his youth to his daring feats as a pioneer, Daniel Boone’s lifelong quest for adventure made him a spirited leader. His heroic accomplishments on the frontier made him an American legend for all time.

Known during the Civil War as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” remarkable Clara Barton helped to save countless lives on the frontlines of battle. She went on to find thousands of missing soldiers and to organize the American National Red Cross. An incredible story of service and sacrifice.

It was completely dark. The only things visible now were the two small beacon fires on the Pinta and the Nina. Christopher was glad the two fires calmed his, too. Their glow reminded him that the Santa Maria was not alone on the vast, uncharted Ocean Sea. The three ships would sail together into the unknown. Buoyant and determined, and having at last won the support of the king and queen of Spain, Christopher Columbus sailed west from Europe with three ships, confident he would reach the Indies by this new route and find the gold-laden civilization to the great Khan. After four risky expeditions in which he explored the Caribbean and landed on South America, Columbus died without acclaim, never knowing he had reached what would soon be known as the New World. While Columbus himself never realized the magnitude of his discoveries, his voyages across the Ocean Sea would soon be recognized as a major turning point in world history.

The mainsail cracked above them in the ferocious wind as a group of red-faced men descended on John. “You have brought a curse on us. Overboard with you,” one of the men yelled. A chorus of cheers went up. It was the last sound John heard before he was dumped over the side of the ship and engulfed by the dark, roiling ocean.” Thrown overboard, enslaved by the Turks, captured by pirates, rescued by a princess-the story of Englishman John Smith (1580–1631) would seem unbelievable were it fiction. Young John first sought adventure in Europe, traveling as far as Russia and distinguishing himself in the wars that raged across the Old World. But John Smith’s real passion was for the New World, and in 1607 he sailed to North America with the men who would establish the first lasting British settlement-Jamestown. There he fought level-headedly for the policies that would enable the fragile community to survive starvation, disease, and deadly attacks to become a foothold in the New World.

Billy boarded the train to Minneapolis. He had come to Los Angeles months before as a small-time preacher. Now he was leaving as one of the most recognized Christians in the country. It was not what Billy had sought; he’d just been open for God to use. Billy wondered if this would be the peak of his fame or if something bigger was about to happen. The oldest son of dairy farmers from Charlotte, North Carolina, young Billy Graham (1918-) attended evangelical revival meetings that inspired him for the rest of his life. As an ordained minister, he rose to prominence and would subsequently preach the Christian message to over 200 million people in 185 countries. Graham championed civil rights, befriended US politicians and presidents, and traveled the world to places no one else dared to go. His life and ministry have shaped the spiritual life of America and offer hope for the future -- inspiring new generations of leaders willing to serve with courage, integrity, and vision.

Ben thought about the strange course of events that had led him to this point in his life. He had considered being a lawyer but had ended up becoming a doctor, and now he was also a politician and member of the Continental Congress. Ben had never thought of working with the army. But for now, that was what he was doing. He wondered if he too might be called to die for the new country they were trying to forge. Filled with intelligence and devotion, Benjamin Rush eagerly took up numerous roles as a physician, surgeon general in the army, politician, educator, and writer. A signer of the Declaration of Independence and close friend of John Adams, he made lasting contributions to American society. Born in Pennsylvania, Rush studied medicine with some of the greatest doctors in America and Europe. He was outspoken about improving the conditions and treatment of wounded soldiers and was a lifelong champion of medical care for the poor and freedom for slaves, becoming one of the greatest American physicians and social reformers in history (1746–1813).

As Ben experimented, people peppered him with questions about electricity. Distracted, Ben was still holding the ends of two bare wires when the other ends touched the Leyden jars. A massive charge knocked him to the ground. When he clambered to his feet, he had to admit that his guests appeared to have enjoyed watching him get electrocuted. Benjamin Franklin’s life never lacked excitement and intrigue. As a printer, writer, scientist, inventor, and American statesman, this spirited Philadelphia resident continually sought to improve himself and the world he lived in. A key founding father, Franklin was the only an to sign all give of the most important documents upon which the United States was built. He also served the colonies and young nation in England and France, where he was greatly admired and regarded as a genius. Today Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom and influence still reverberate through literature, science, politics, and society.

Ben visited Maranda’s family the night before the young girl’s brain surgery. He spoke to her parents, outlining the risks one last time. “The surgery should take about five hours. There’s a strong likelihood that Maranda could bleed uncontrollably and die right there. Or she could survive and be paralyzed and never speak again. There is no way to know what will happen.” As a child growing up in Detroit, Ben Carson (1951-) has a dream of becoming a physician, a dream that rose out of struggles with poverty, racism, and poor grades. As Ben persevered and strove for academic excellence, his life became one of compassion and service. Today, Benjamin Carson, MD, is known as the American neurosurgeon with gifted hands. The first surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head, he directed pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital for over a quarter of a century. His life continues to be a model of what it means to care deeply, serve brilliantly, and lead courageously.

Alan Shepard gripped the abort handle and braced his feet against the capsule floor. Five, Four, Three...Don’t screw up, he muttered. Two, One, Zero, Liftoff. Alan felt himself rising into the sky. He could scarcely believe it. The boy who grew up with a passion for flying was off on the ultimate flight -- to space! Alan Shepard’s boyhood fascination with flight led him from constructing model airplanes in his grandfather’s basement to attaining national hero status in the race to space. Rooted in hard work and education, this pioneer’s dreams of flight came true as he became not only the first American launched into space but, later, one of the privileged few to walk on the moon. When he wasn’t soaring above the clouds, astronaut Alan Shepard used his expertise to benefit others, raising money to fuel the dreams of science students and guiding NASA missions. The achievements of this high flyer -- America’s “Lindbergh of Space” -- inspire all who dare to live their dream

From the flag-draped presidential box, Abraham Lincoln watched the popular comedy on stage at the Ford Theater. As he laughed at a funny line--Bang! A single shot rang out from a small derringer, the sound barely audible over the laughter of the crowd. Abe slumped forward, blood running from behind his left ear. When President Lincoln died the next morning, the United States mourned as it had never mourned before. An assassin had killed the man who had led Americans through the bloody turmoil of the Civil War with an unswerving commitment to rebuilding a strong and united country. Abe Lincoln had never set his sights on becoming president; after all, he’d grown up in a log cabin on the frontier and had hardly any formal schooling. But as the quesion of slavery threatened to destroy the United Sates, this self-taught lawyer with a sharp mind and passion for justice found himself at the center of the greatest debate the nation had ever faced