Biddy Bridget Mason: From Enslaved to Entrepreneur Biddy Bridget Mason (1815–1891) was an extraordinary woman who rose from a life of slavery to become one of the first Black women to own property in Los Angeles. Her story is one
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Juana Maria: The Native American Who Lived Alone for 18 Years on San Nicolas Island
Juana Maria: The Native American Who Lived Alone for 18 Years on San Nicolas Island San Nicolas Island is one of the Channel Islands off the coast of California. These islands have been home to humans for thousands of years,
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Frank Sinatra: A Champion for Equality During the Civil Rights Movement
Frank Sinatra: A Champion for Equality During the Civil Rights Movement Frank Sinatra wasn’t just a music legend—he was also a strong advocate for civil rights. During a time when racial discrimination was common in the United States, Sinatra stood
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The 1976 Chowchilla Kidnapping: A Crime That Shook America
The 1976 Chowchilla Bus Kidnapping: A Crime That Shook America In 1976, a shocking crime shook the small town of Chowchilla, California. Three young men from wealthy Bay Area families—Frederick Woods and brothers James and Richard Schoenfeld—came up with a
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One of the Last Slave Ship Survivors Shares His Story in a 1930s Interview
One of the Last Slave Ship Survivors Shares His Story in a 1930s Interview The last American slave ship docked illegally in Mobile, Alabama in 1860, carrying about 160 West African captives. Among them was Cudjo Lewis, who recognized how
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JOHANN PETURSSON – The Viking Giant
JOHANN PETURSSON – The Viking Giant Johann Petursson was once one of the tallest men in the world. Although Robert Wadlow eventually surpassed him in height, Johann remains famous for his entertaining personality, strong presence, and long career. Early Life
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Susan Wiley: The most disturbed child you have ever seen
Susan Wiley: The most disturbed child you have ever seen In October 1970, a frail girl walked into a welfare office in Los Angeles. She seemed about six or seven years old, but her appearance was strange. Her back was
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The Brave Men Who Broke the Rules and Survived the Titanic
The Brave Men Who Broke the Rules and Survived the Titanic The Titanic’s sinking is one of the most famous disasters in history. People often talk about the rule of “women and children first.” But not everyone followed that rule.
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The Story Of Marianne Bachmeier
A Mother’s Revenge. The Story Of Marianne Bachmeier Marianne Bachmeier, a West German mother, became internationally famous in 1981 after taking justice into her own hands. In a courtroom in Lübeck, Germany, she shot and killed Klaus Grabowski, the man
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Abebe Bikila: The Barefoot Marathon Legend
Abebe Bikila: The Barefoot Marathon Legend Many people know the famous story of Abebe Bikila, the Ethiopian marathon runner who won the 1960 Rome Olympic Games running barefoot. But fewer know why he ran without shoes or the events that
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