Biographies - Icons of History

Leonardo da Vinci defined the era known as the Renaissance . As a painter he was responsible for such great works as "The Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper." As a scientist and engineer, he envisioned many modern inventions such as the bicycle, airplane, and even the helicopter. He was a renowned architect, botanist, and astronomer.

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal." This was Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. A dream that he would spend most of his life trying to fulfill. In this document of his life, you will learn about the history of the Civil Rights Movement and his immense role in it.

Michelangelo Buonarotti flourished as a sculptor, painter, and architect during the cultural rebirth known as the Renaissance. While under the patronage of many notable figures of the era, Michelangelo created eternal masterpieces such as the sculpture of David and the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

From his birth on a small Mediterranean island to his death in exile on St. Helena, the life of Napoleon Bonaparte has come to symbolize the period of world history just before the Industrial Revolution. The Age of Napoleon was one of profound triumphs and crushing defeats, and brought forth profound change for France, Europe and the world.

The dominant artistic voice of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso's legendary career spanned nearly eight decades during which he achieved international recognition as an innovative and prolific painter and sculptor. Meet the child prodigy who broke with the conventional art forms of his time and spawned Cubism. His life, his politics, and his lovers are revealed through his collection of works.

Standing beside such artistic giants as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, the artist known as Raphael is considered one of the most gifted and admired painters from the era known as the Renaissance. Raphael was responsible for some of the most inspirational paintings of the era, most notably The Transfiguration and The School of Athens.

Rosa Parks was a courageous woman whose defiance in the face of segregation helped inspire the architects of the Civil Rights movement and set an example for generations to follow. She had the courage to fight segregation in its common place, a seat on a bus. She was also the first woman to lie in state in the Capital Rotunda.

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration" - Thomas Edison. Edison's life was a true "rags to riches" story. Considered to be the greatest inventor of his or any time, Edison's wonderful inventions, including the phonograph and light bulb were a driving force of the Industrial Revolution. His inventions guided America into the 20th Century.

Vincent van Gogh died an impoverished failure in the eyes of the world. Today his paintings are among the most famous and most recognizable in the world. In the brief decade before his death, Vincent produced his entire body of work perfecting a vigorous brushstroke and a vibrant use of color that distinguished his paintings from all others.

After immigrating from Scotland to Canada Alexander Graham Bell became one of the foremost developers of the telephone, together with Antonio Meucci, inventor of the first telephone prototype, and Philipp Reis. A rival of Thomas Edison, he was also responsible for important advances in aviation and hydrofoil technology.

Coretta Scott King was the wife of the slain civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and a noted community leader in her own right. King made huge accomplishments throughout her life, including carrying on the legacy of her husband for over three decades. This informative program will take students of all ages through her life story.

Mohandas K. Gandhi was a man of peace who spent most of his life preaching nonviolence to gain equality and freedom for the people of India. This informative program explores his struggle against the mighty British Empire and her colonies of India and South America. Gandhi's words and deeds made him one of the most influential men of the 20th century.

Imagine that you could not see these words or hear them spoken but you could still talk, write, read, and make friends. In fact, you went to college, wrote nearly a dozen books, traveled all over the world, met 12 U.S. presidents, and lived to be 87! Well, there was such a person, and she was born over a hundred years ago! All this and more as we explore the life of Helen Keller.

From humble beginnings, Henry Ford used his natural gift for mathematics and his love for machines to propel himself into history. He was a pioneer in automobile technology and the inventor of the mass-production assemble line. Ford's dedication to his dreams has affected us all and helped shape the world in which we live.