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Famous Americans. George Washington. First president of the United States Called the “Father of our Country” Born in Virginia - started out as a farmer, but then became a brave leader of soldiers in our fight for freedom from England
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George Washington • First president of the United States • Called the “Father of our Country” • Born in Virginia - started out as a farmer, but then became a brave leader of soldiers in our fight for freedom from England • Believed in the republican form of government, after the U.S. won its independence from England • Helped establish the 4 basic principles for American citizens
4 Basic Principles • Right to Life • Liberty • Pursuit of Happiness • Equality Under the Law
Thomas Jefferson • Born in Virginia when England still ruled the United States • Wrote the Declaration of Independence • Third President of the United States • Also wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom which states that people should be free to express their religious beliefs
Why write the Declaration of Independence? At this time (1775) the 13 colonies in North America were controlled by the British government. Do you remember the Jamestown settlement? All of these settlements were controlled by the King George and the English Parliament (government). The King wanted the colonists to pay taxes and follow English laws, but he would not allow the colonists to have a representative in Parliament. The colonists were unhappy with the British King. The members of this group wanted freedom from British rule. They wrote a document that declared them independent from British rule or control.
The Declaration of Independence • At this time the 13 colonies in North America were controlled by the British government. • The colonists were unhappy with the British King. • The members of this group wanted freedom from British rule. This document declared them independent from the British. • The Declaration of Independence states that people have certain rights. • The Declaration of Independence was created on July 4, 1776 by Congressional Representatives of the Thirteen Colonies. • Members of Congress would roll up and carry the original Declaration of Independence to where they were meeting • The Declaration of Independence was not written on paper. It was written on parchment which is animal skin that is very thin and treated. • Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence.
Abraham Lincoln • 16th President of the United States • Believed all people were equal • Our country was divided over the issue of slavery when he became president • During his presidency, citizens fought over the basic principle of equality for all in the Civil War • Helped abolish slavery and free African American slaves in the United States • Helped end the Civil War
Called “Honest Abe” because he was famous for telling the truth • Born in a log cabin in Kentucky and his family was very poor • Taught himself to read and became a lawyer • Turn and tell your neighbor one fact you just learned about Abraham Lincoln Other Facts
Rosa Parks • Born in Tuskegee, Alabama • Lived in the 1950’s when people of different colors were segregated in public places • Called the “First Lady of Civil Rights” because she helped change laws so that all people would have equal rights
At the time Rosa Parks lived, African Americans were forced to sit in the back of the bus or to give up their seats to white passengers if there weren’t enough seats for white passengers. • Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger because she had worked all day and her feet hurt. • Because she did not give up her seat, she was arrested • Her actions led to the boycott of Montgomery buses • The boycott lasted 381 days until the city of Montgomery ended segregation on public buses Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King Jr. • Born in 1929 • African American Civil Rights Leader and Minister • Spoke out for people who were not being treated fairly such as Rosa Parks • Gave speeches and led marches for equal rights • Believed in peaceful actions to change the laws instead of violence • Believed all people should be treated equally • Helped get the laws changed so that everyone is treated fairly • We celebrate his accomplishments and his birthday in January on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Born in Yuma, Arizona in 1927 • A Mexican American who helped improve working conditions for migrant farmers • Migrant farmers are people who move from place to place to find work • He believed in peaceful protests such as boycotts, speeches, marches and hunger strikes Cesar Chavez
Thurgood Marshall • 1st African American Supreme Court Justice • A lawyer who defended people who were treated unfairly • Helped change the law that required black and white children to attend separate schools • His actions helped people get equal rights
Activities about Famous Americans: • https://sites.google.com/a/solteacher.com/olteacher-com/home/third-grade-virginiasol-resources/3rd-grade-virginia-social-studies-sol-resources/sol-3-11-famous-people • http://www.quia.com/rr/39303.html
