Dwight David Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States and a member of the Republican Party. He was a hero of the Second World War and a very important figure in the liberation of Europe. He was also regarded as a great diplomat and, when he was elected, he became the first Republican president in 20 years. In...
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The conquistador Francisco Pizarro was one of the most important figures of Spanish colonization. His subjugation of the Inca Empire allowed him to seize power in the capital, Cuzco, and establish a number of new towns on behalf of the Spanish Crown, bringing a huge amount of wealth to Spain and helping it to become one of the most powerful countries...
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Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States and brought the Democratic Party back into power after over 20 years in the wilderness. He inherited a dire economic situation from his Republican predecessor and responded by implementing the New Deal, a wide-ranging series of measures designed to stimulate economic recovery and create jobs. He also took the crucial decision to bring the...
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Mahatma Gandhi was one of the emblematic figures of Indian independence and remains an icon of nonviolent resistance. Through actions such as the Salt March and his celebrated Quit India speech, Gandhi helped his compatriots to throw off the yoke of British colonialism and become an independent nation. His peaceful protests brought him renown all over the world and inspired many...
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George Washington was the 1st President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers, making him undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in American history. He took part in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776 and was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, which he organized and led to victory against the...
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Georges Lemaître was a Belgian priest, astronomer and professor of physics. Lemaître is known most of all for developing the Big Bang theory, which is now widely accepted and has led to the creation of a new field of research: cosmology. He proposed that the universe expanded from a single point, which he called the "Primeval Atom". Although part of...
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Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the USSR and had a major impact on the path that Russia took at the end of the 20th century. He was a somewhat controversial figure, known in the West as the man who ended the Cold War while being one of the least popular 20th century leaders in Russia. This is understandable, as Gorbachev...
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Henry Ford was an American industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor Company. His innovative approach to manufacturing made cars accessible to ordinary people, revolutionized industry and caused the explosion of mass production. He doubled his workers’ salaries, introduced the division of labor and indirectly caused the development of mass consumption. In just 50 minutes, you will find out how...
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On 6 August 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The second bomb followed days later, hitting Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. The attacks caused the complete destruction of two major Japanese cities, brought about the immediate surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War, and led to the beginning of the...
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Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, astronomer, and physicist who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time. Known in particular for his laws of motion and theory of universal gravitation, Newton was a passionate scientist whose discoveries had an enormous impact on the world of science. In just 50 minutes, you will find out...
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James Monroe was the 5th President of the United States of America. Known in particular as a great diplomat – he was ambassador, Senator and Secretary of State before being elected – Monroe led America during a time known as the “Era of Good Feelings”. In spite of the relative prosperity of these years, Monroe had to deal with tensions...
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Joan of Arc was a heroine of France who played a significant role in the Hundred Years’ War. She claimed to be carrying a divine message, according to which she was destined to liberate France. She proved a highly effective military leader, recapturing Orléans in May 1429 before being seized, sold to the English and burned at the stake. In just...
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