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Robert E. Peary
Did he or didn’t he? For years, people have debated whether Robert Peary was the first explorer to reach the North Pole.
EARLY LIFE
Robert Edwin Peary was born in 1856 in Cresson, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Navy as an engineer. As an officer, Peary participated in a survey in Nicaragua in 1884 and 1885. Afterward, he headed north to explore polar areas.
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein led a stormy life as the ruler of Iraq. He fought three big wars during his 24 years in power. The third war ended his rule.
HUSSEIN’S RISE
Saddam Hussein was born to a poor farming family in Tikrit, Iraq. In 1955, he joined the Baath Party. This group wanted to build one big Arab nation. In 1959, Hussein tried to kill Iraq’s president. After failing, he fled to Egypt.
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama is best remembered as the first European to sail from Europe to India. The sea route he found helped Portugal build a rich empire overseas.
EARLY LIFE
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal, around 1469. As a young man, da Gama studied navigation and astronomy. He went on to serve as an officer in the Portuguese navy.
In 1497, the king of Portugal asked da Gama to find a sea route to India by sailing around Africa. This would allow Portugal to control the rich Indian spice trade.
Socrates
What is love? What is truth? What is justice? Socrates, a philosopher in ancient Greece, asked big questions like these and tried to make people think.
Socrates was born in Athens, Greece, in 469 bc. He devoted his life to philosophy. He taught students, made speeches, and debated with anyone who would listen to him.
KNOWING WHAT TO DO
Socrates wanted to find out the best way to live. He wondered why some people behaved well and others behaved badly.