Look N' See

“F.D.R. was a rich man who understood the poor man's problems. He was elected State Senator, then Asst. Secretary of the Navy, and finally, was nominated for vice-president of the U.S. Suddenly, he became very, very sick - and for three years could hold no office at all. However, his remarkable courage and determination to get well pulled him through. He became one of the greatest presidents the U.S. has ever had.”

“For two years there had been war in Europe, and President Wilson had done everything possible to keep the U.S. out of it. Then, quite suddenly, German submarines sank the “Luisitania”, with over 100 Americans on board. The American people were indignant, yet the Germans announced they would continue with submarine warfare! President Wilson therefore suggested that war be declared upon the Germans.”

“The ships of the US Navy were being molested and robbed in the Mediterranean Sea. When Jefferson became President, he insisted that the government of Tripoli end this piracy on American vessels. Then, for the first time, the navy of the new U.S. was able to go freely into foreign waters. As third president of the U.S., father of the University of Virginia and a founder of the Democratic Party, Jefferson had a great influence on the American government.”

“Lincoln was born in a log cabin, without a door and without the barest necessities. He educated himself ???  chalk to write on the wall of the cabin and even on the back of an old black shovel. He grew to be over six feet tall, and was a good wrestler, runner and swimmer. He split rails for fences to earn his way through law school. His great heart and deep understanding of the common people made him beloved by all.”

“The sudden death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1945, made Mr. Truman our president. He was faced with many overwhelming problems. With the aid of experts, and his own fearless honesty and courage, he has managed to solve most of them satisfactorily. When South Korea was being attacked by the communists, President Truman felt the U.S. had a job to do - and issued the order that sent the U.S. Army to defend that little country.”

“Teddy” Roosevelt was born in New York City, of a wealthy family. But he was a weak boy, and determined to become strong. He did a great deal of body-building exercise, until he could compete with the best of athletes. As president, he was dynamic and progressive. As ex-president, he was an active and vigorous game-hunter in Africa. He died in 1919, after completing twenty-five volumes of history and his life adventures.”

“The war with Mexico was over. Two soldiers who had fought side by side, now were parting. They shook hands - and each went his own way. Almost twenty years later, in 1865, these two men sat facing each other in the U.S. Army headquarters. Both had become generals One was Lee, surrendering for the South. The other was Grant, writing the terms of surrender. When that was done, they shook hands again.”

“Born to a widowed immigrant mother in a log cabin, Andrew Jackson often had to fight hard for his rights. He soon became a leader among the boys in his neighborhood. In the Revolutionary War, his two brothers were killed and his mother, sick and heartbroken, died right after them. Yet he worked and studied and became a lawyer at the age of twenty. He was one of America's most courageous and forceful presidents.”

“It was Christmas night. A hungry, ragged army was rowing across the Delaware River, braving the dangers of floating ice and freezing weather, determined to accomplish its mission. In the first boat, silent and tall, stood George Washington. Quietly, covered by darkness, the Americans landed in Trenton, surprising the British soldiers and capturing over 900 of their troops. Thanks mostly to Washington’s genius, this victory was won.”

“Francis Scott key was a young lawyer who happened to be on board a ship when the British were bombarding Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. He watched the British guns firing at the fort all night long and when the guns stopped, at dawn, he watched anxiously through the smoke to see if the American flag was still flying. The flag was there, and Key was inspired to write a song for which he will always be remembered.”

“When he was graduated from West Point, Jefferson Davis became an officer in the Army. He led the fights against the Indians for seven years, and became famous for his heroism. One day, a tall, lanky young man came to enlist with him, and Jefferson Davis swore him in. Years later, this man -  Abraham Lincoln - became his opponent and President of the United States. During the struggle between the states, Davis was calm and level headed and admired even by his enemies.”

“Again and again, Patrick Henry spoke up against the unfairness of the British rule of the American Colonies. His speeches were fiery… demanding that America be free! He was afraid of no one, and his bold words gave great courage to his fellow Americans…inspiring them to take actions against the British, after all peaceful attempts to settle our dispute had failed. He became governor of Virginia after the War of Independence had been won!”

“One of the greatest patriots of our country, Alexander Hamilton was an active fighter from the beginning of the Revolutionary War until its end! Working besides George Washington, as his right hand man, Hamilton made several speeches and wrote pamphlets that made the people realize how important it was to fight the British and win Independence! When the war was over, he stayed on with the President, even helping to draw up the Constitution of the United States!”

“This great writer became famous when he hit on the idea of writing stories based on the old legends of the Dutch who had settled in the Hudson River Valley. The characters he created, such as Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, in his “Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, are known to almost every schoolchild in the United States. George Washington, after whom he was named, gave him his blessing soon after he was born.”

“One of the great men of modern science, Albert Einstein was driven out of Germany by Adolf Hitler and came to the United States in 1933. He IS a man of very simple tastes…even refusing to wear socks except in winter. His study is furnished with only an unpainted desk, a few unpainted shelves, a pencil and paper. He likes to wear old clothes… refusing to change from his baggy pants even when distinguished visitors are coming!”

“PT Barnum rose from being a poor farm boy to becoming the owner of the biggest circus in the world the Barnum and Bailey Circus known as “The Greatest Show on Earth”… traveled all over the United States and had more freaks, animals, and acrobats than any other circus! Even today, many years after Barnum died, his circus brings excitement wherever it goes!”

“This Great American scientist was born into slavery on a plantation in Missouri! When the War Between the States was over, he was adopted by his former owners, and given their name… Carver. He worked his way through college by doing the laundry of the other students, and began the experiments with different types of plants that were to bring him fame all over the world! Every country has called for his help.”

“Almost every day, we eat a fruit or a vegetable that was created by Luther Burbank. He devoted his entire life to working with plants...developing new kinds of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. He worked on a tremendous farm in California...always looking for the ideas. Imagine how great his work was, for he was able to develop… among other things more than sixty varieties of prunes!”

“Mark Twain, one of our most famous American writers, found fame when he was mining for gold in California. He had already been a pilot on a Mississippi River boat... but went out to California to find his fortune! One day he saw some other miners holding a contest between two jumping frogs. He wrote a story about it and sent it to a friend! Before he knew what had happened, everyone in the country was reading his story!!”

“On May 11th, 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh, an airmail pilot, took off from San Diego, California in an one-motor airplane made especially for him! Flying with great speed, he landed in New York the following day! Then he took off again... heading out alone over the Atlantic... riding through heavy fogs until at last, he landed in Paris France… 33 1/2 hours later! He was the first man to make a non-stop flight from the US to Europe!”

“When the War between the States began, General Lee was offered the command of the Northern Army, but he refused! Instead, he resigned and became commander of the Southern Army... leading the Confederate Forces with brilliance until he was forced to surrender to General U. S. Grant in 1865. Time and again... during the course of the war... he proved himself to be one of the greatest generals this country has ever known!”

“Matthew B. Ridgway, was appointed to the post of commander of the United Nations’ forces and sent to South Korea to fight the Communist aggressors. He did so well, in fact, that when the need arose in Europe for a commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Oganization – MATO - General Ridgway was transferred from Japan, and is working with the NATO today. He is one of the finest military leaders in our country.”

“One of the greatest leaders of the Confederate Forces during the War Between the States, General Stonewall Jackson gained victory after victory for the South. Then while returning from an advanced scouting trip, he was fired on by mistake by some of his own men. The General was wounded three times and his left arm had to be cut off!”

“One of our country's greatest military leaders, General Eisenhower, had reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel at the very young age of twenty-eight! Then he worked for many years with general MacArthur until... when World War II was declared... he was made Supreme Commander of all Allied Forces fighting in Europe! Under his command, the Allies pushed forward steadily against the enemy until the Germans were forced to surrender!”

“The greatest sea fighter America ever had, John Paul Jones won all his great battles without enough ships, supplies or men! Everything he did was due to his own skill, his courage, and his devotion to the cause of Freedom! He raised on his ship the first Stars and Stripes ever to fly from the top mast of an American man of war... and his defeats of the British were very important in our winning the Revolutionary War!”

“It was pitch dark, for the moon had hidden behind the clouds. A storm was blowing up, and the lightning shook her plane. But Amelia Earhart was happy. She had always wanted to cross the Atlantic alone. Suddenly, her altimeter stopped working! Then she saw flames at the back of the plane! She climbed higher going ahead, until the break of day. Finally, she landed in an English pasture-just to the flames leaped close to the cockpit!”

“Admiral Byrd is a daring American explorer of the North and South pole. On one of his many fearless expeditions he stayed all alone for forty days in an icebound shack at an advanced outpost. His mates were happy to find him still alive when they returned. His maps and reports about these little-known regions one him twenty decorations and are proving very valuable to the United states today.”

“Christopher Columbus was born in Italy, but when he set sail from Europe towards the West, he went under the flag of Spain... his voyage paid for by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. He believed the Earth was round and wanted to prove it. At last, on October 12th, 1492, after 10 weeks of sailing, he cited some small islands off the coast of America! He thought he had reached India and when he saw the natives he called Indians!”

“One of our most famous western heroes, Colonel William F Cody began his career as a pony express writer at the age of fifteen! Then, when the railroads were pushing westward, the Indians were preventing the workers from getting food. Cody was hired as a hunter to get fresh meat for them... and then less than 18 months, he killed 4,280 buffaloes! Later... he organized his own Wild West Show.”

“There have been very few hunters and Indian fighters more daring than Daniel Boone! In time, he became so feared by the Indians that they took him into their tribe, giving him the name of “Big Turtle”. He kept pushing westward all through his life... getting up and moving whenever other people began to settle too close to him. Even at the age of 86, he felt he needed “elbow room”, and went further west!”

“Geronimo was known as the worst Indian who ever lived! Cunning and blood-thirsty, he was very cruel and he did more to resist the white man than any of his people. Before he was captured and sent to Florida under guard, Geronimo was responsible for the death of more than a thousand white men! When Geronimo was leading the Apaches, it wasn't safe for any white man to go anywhere near Apache territory!”

“This great leader of the Indians went on his first war path when he was only fourteen years old! He was the most famous western Indian who ever lived... leading his warriors against General Custer and killing every man in Custer’s army! He was almost the only man who could keep all the members of his tribe together... fighting the white men, until he was forced to run away and hide in Canada.”

“The Mexican Army of 8,000 men was advancing against the small Texas army of only 700! It seemed hopeless... and would have been... if it weren't for the great leader of the Texan Army, Sam Houston! Texas was fighting for its independence from Mexico, and Houston was the leader of the struggle! The small Army completely defeated the Mexicans, and Sam Houston became the first president of the Republic of Texas!”

“One of the most famous and fearless fighters for law and order in the west, Bat  Masterson became Sheriff of one of the toughest towns in old Kansas when he was only twenty-two years old! He gained such great reputation that President Theodore Roosevelt, himself, became his friend and promoted him to Deputy United States Marshall of New York.From then on, he spent the rest of his life in the East.”

“Billy the Kid, the worst killer the West has ever known, was actually born in New York City! His family moved west when he was three years old and they let young Billy do pretty much as he wanted. By the time he was twelve, he was well-known in all the salons and gambling halls of Silver City, and he committed his first murder before he was thirteen! From then on he continued murdering and robbing, until caught by the law!”

“In all of England’s history, things had never been worse. The British forces had taken a terrible beating at Dunkirk. France, England’s ally, had fallen into German hands. Food and clothing were being rationed. And experienced leader was very much needed- and Winston Churchill was made head of all the nation's armed services, and director of War Strategy. He remained Prime Minister during most of the Second World War, and often met with President Roosevelt.”

“It is difficult to believe that William Shakespeare, the greatest writer who ever lived, went to school for only a few years. He started his career as an actor, but after a year he had become the owner of the theater and which he acted. Then he began to write the plays and poems that are known in every corner of the world. Even today…three hundred and fifty years after his death, his plays are still being performed!”

“Napoleon was an excellent student in military school - but he was very unhappy there. His classmates used to make fun of his appearance - until he decided that someday he would make them take orders from him! Soon, he became a captain of artillery - and within five years, he was commander of the French Army! Later he became the emperor of France. Before he died, however, he lost all his power and was exiled on a desert island.”

“Even today, in battles at the front lines, news is sent out using the Morse Code invented by Samuel Morse! He devoted his early life to finding a way to send messages over wires... and his first step toward forward was creation of the code. Then in 1837 he successfully showed his great creation... the telegraph! One of the little known facts about this inventor is that he was one of America's foremost artists, as well!”

“In the history of inventing, Thomas A. Edison stands alone. He created more than twelve hundred inventions with a value of over fifteen million dollars! His amazing career began because he saved a boy from drowning. The boy's father was so grateful that he taught young Edison how to be a Telegraph operator.  From then on, he started experimenting... and one invention followed another!”

“Henry the VIII, king of England from 1509 to 1547, is remembered more for the number of his marriages than for anything else! When he divorced his first wife to marry Anne Boleyn, the Pope declared his actions illegal. Henry decided he wouldn't let the Pope have any authority to England, and he had himself declared the head of the English church! Two things interested Henry... the greatness of England, and his own pleasure!”