15-Minute Biographies

Abe Lincoln came from humble beginnings but he learned from an early age the power of education. He wanted to help Americans and bring equality for all. During the Civil War, he put his skills to work. He made two famous speeches: The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. They changed America forever. Find out more about Lincoln and how he became President in this 15-minute bio.

Abraham Lincoln came from humble beginnings, but he learned from an early age the power of education. He wanted to help Americans and bring equality for all. During the Civil War, he put his skills to work. He made two famous speeches: The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. They changed the nation of America forever. Find out more in this 15-minute bio. Includes CCS exercises.

Amelia Earhart thought a woman could do anything a man could. She encouraged women to follow their dreams. When Amelia first saw an airplane, she was not impressed. A few years later, she knew she had to fly. Amelia set many flying records. Her dream was to be the first person to fly around the world along the equator. In 1937, she set off on her dream. Learn more in this 15-minute bio for kids.

Annie Oakley went from a life of poverty and abuse, to being one of the most famous women in the world. She made her own way, learning to fire guns like a man and perfecting her sharp shooting. When she joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, her fame spread. Finally she found happiness in both her personal and her professional life. Find out more about this woman who could outshoot any man. RL: 6.3

Ben Franklin was a writer, scientist, inventor and political leader. He was one of the Founding Fathers who drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the U.S. He organized the first lending library and volunteer fire department. He established universities and hospitals. He also flew a kite in a thunderstorm to show that lightning was electricity. Learn more in this short bio

On the first day of 1752, a new baby was born. Her parents were Samuel and Rebecca Griscom. They named their baby Elizabeth, but soon everyone called her Betsy. Betsy grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father worked as a carpenter. He helped to build many buildings. He even built the house that Betsy and her family lived in. Learn about Betsy Ross and her life in this fun, fact-filled book

On January 1, 1752, a new baby was born. Her parents were Samuel and Rebecca Griscom. They named their baby Elizabeth, but soon everyone called her Betsy. Betsy grew up in Philadelphia. Her father worked as a carpenter. He helped to build many buildings. He helped build the Carpenters Hall and many houses. He even built the house that his family lived in. Educational Version has CCSS activities.

Mary Tudor was a princess who should have been a queen. But her father shunned and disowned her because she was not a boy. After the deaths of her father and half brother, she had to fight those in power who sought to keep her off the throne. Eventually crowned Queen of England, her battles to abolish her father’s new church and return England to Roman Catholicism eaarned her the name Bloody Mary.

Mary Tudor was a princess who should have been a queen. Instead, her father shunned and disowned her because she was not a boy. After the deaths of her father and half brother, she had to fight those in power who sought to keep her off the throne. She was eventually crowned Queen of England. Educational Versions have CCSS Activities.

Chief Joseph was the name given to the leader of the Nez Perce by the white men who couldn't pronounce Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekht (Thunder Rolling in the Mountains). Inheriting the leadership of the Wallowa Band from his father Tuekakas in 1871, Joseph led his people in the Nez Perce war of 1877, the first and only war between the Nez Perce and the whites. Find out more in this 15-minute book.

Chief Joseph was the name given to the leader of the Nez Perce Indians by the white men who couldn't pronounce Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekht (Thunder Rolling in the Mountains). Inheriting the leadership of the Wallowa Band from his father in 1871, Joseph led his people in the Nez Perce war of 1877, the first and only war between the Nez Perce and the whites. Educational Versions have CCSS Activities.

Florence Nightingale went from being a rich child to the poorest conditions in war. Along the way she saved countless lives, changed the world of health care, created schools and trained countless nurses. She also wrote hundreds of books, and changed the way women and hospital patients were treated. Find out more about this founder of modern nursing in this short 15-minute children's bio. RL: 6.5

The name Geronimo brings fear to the hearts of many people, especially when they hear an enemy yell his name. Many people think of Geronimo as a fighting man; a great warrior. He was. He was also a very gentle man. He was a kind and loving husband who loved to play with his children. Why did he become a warrior and fight the whites and the Mexicans? Educational Version has activities to meet CCSS

The name Geronimo brings fear to the hearts of many people, especially when they hear an enemy yell his name. Many people think of Geronimo as a fighting man; a great warrior. He was. He was also a very gentle man. He was a kind and loving husband who played with his children. What made Geronimo become a fighting man? Find out more about this great warrior and his life.

My white name is Kathy, but my Indian name is Cornflower. I was born in the time when the flowers blossom in the stalks of corn around our village. The cornflower blossom was the first thing my father saw after I had been brought into the world of men. That is why I have the name Cornflower. Read the story of this White Mountain Apache Girl and what her life is like on the reservation.

My white name is Kathy, but my Indian name is Cornflower. I was born in the time when the flowers blossom in the stalks of corn around our village. The cornflower blossom was the first thing my father saw after I had been brought into the world of men. That is why I have the name Cornflower. Read the 15-Minute bio of this Apache girl. The Educational Version has activities that meet Common Core SS

The Seventeen-Year-Old Son of a Pennsylvania Railroad Official Tells the Moving Story of His Rescue ONE of the calmest of the passengers was young Jack Thayer, the seventeen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Thayer. When his mother was put into the lifeboat he kissed her and told her to be brave, saying that he and his father would be all right. Educational versions have CCSS activities.

James Garfield had little early education, he worked to put himself through college before entering politics. When the Civil War started, he joined the Union Army. He won many battles and become a Major General. As a politician, he fought for civil rights, the abolition of slavery and an education system for African Americans. In March 1881 he became president. 200 days later he was dead. RL: 6.8

Incidents Related By James Mcgough. Women Forced Into The Life-Boats—Why Some Men Were Saved Before Women--Asked To Man Life- Boats. Surrounded by his wife and members of his family, James McGough, of Philadelphia, recited a most thrilling and graphic picture of the disaster. Read how James McGough survived the sinking of the Titanic in this 15-Minute book. Includes Common Core Exercises.

Joan of Arc was a young farm girl who heard the voices of saints. She led an army in battles to drive the English out of France and put the rightful King on the throne. After she was captured, the King and the armies did nothing to help her. She was sold to the English and put on trial for crimes against the Church. Joan was convicted and burned at the stake. Find out more in this 15-Minute bio.

Joan of Arc was a young farm girl who claimed to have heard the voices of saints. She led an army in battle to drive the English out of France and put the rightful King on the throne. After she was captured, the King and the armies did nothing to help her. She was sold to the English and put on trial for crimes against the Church. Find out about Joan's life. Educational Versions have CCSS Activiti

John Adams was a farmer and lawyer. He was one of the Founding Fathers who pushed for Independence. He helped write and sign the Declaration of Independence and became America’s second President. But there are no memorials to John Adams in Washington. He is the Forgotten Founding Father. Find out more about our second president and how he helped found the United States.

John Flynn was a man with a dream. The outback of Australia was a land of adventure. It was also a land of isolation and danger. Flynn wanted to create a “mantle of safety” across the outback. He set up hospitals, hostels, nursing homes and welfare centres, and created the world’s first aerial medical service – the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Read about him in this 15-Minute book. Hass CCSS tasks

John Flynn was a man with a dream. The outback of Australia was a land of risk and adventure. It was also a land of isolation and danger. Flynn wanted to create a “mantle of safety” across the outback. He set up hospitals, hostels, nursing homes and welfare centres, and created the world’s first aerial medical service – the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Learn more about him in this 15-minute bio.

Johnny Appleseed is one of the most loved characters in American folk history and the official folk hero of Massachusetts. He is often shown wandering barefoot, wearing a shirt and pants, and with a tin hat on his head. A kind, nature-loving man who wandered across the frontier scattering apple seeds wherever he went. Like most legends, there is a mixture of myth and truth. This is the true story.