Populations et Société de États-Unis d'Amérique

Nationalité

nom : Américain(s) adjectif : américain

Groupes ethniques

Blancs 61,6 %, Noirs ou Afro-Américains 12,4 %, Asiatiques 6 %, Autochtones et natifs de l'Alaska 1,1 %, Hawaïens natifs et autres insulaires du Pacifique 0,2 %, autres 8,4 %, deux races ou plus 10,2 %

Population

339,996,563

Population (Hommes / Femmes)

hommes : 168 598 780 femmes : 173 364 628

Répartition de la population

de vastes agglomérations urbaines sont réparties dans toute la moitié orientale des États-Unis (en particulier la région des Grands Lacs, le nord-est, l'est et le sud-est) et les États de la frange occidentale ; les zones montagneuses, principalement les montagnes Rocheuses et la chaîne des Appalaches, les déserts du sud-ouest, les forêts boréales denses de l'extrême nord et les États centraux de prairie sont moins densément peuplés ; la population de l'Alaska est concentrée le long de sa côte sud - avec un accent particulier sur la ville d'Anchorage - et celle d'Hawaï est centrée sur l'île d'Oahu

Population Urbaine

urban population: 83.3% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.96% annual rate of change

Population dans les grandes zones urbaines

18,937 millions New York-Newark, 12,534 millions Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, 8,937 millions Chicago, 6,707 millions Houston, 6,574 millions Dallas-Fort Worth, 5,490 millions WASHINGTON, D.C. (capitale)

Structure par âge

0-14 ans : 18,1 % (hommes 31 618 532/femmes 30 254 223) 15-64 ans : 63,4 % (hommes 108 553 822/femmes 108 182 491) 65 ans et plus : 18,5 % (est. 2024) (hommes 28 426 426/femmes 34 927 914)

Âge Médian

total : 38,9 ans hommes : 37,8 ans femmes : 40 ans

Espérance de vie à la naissance

Population totale : 78,4 ans Hommes : 75,9 ans Femmes : 80,9 ans

Taux de mortalité infantile

total : 5,4 décès/1 000 naissances vivantes masculin : 5,8 décès/1 000 naissances vivantes féminin : 4,9 décès/1 000 naissances vivantes

Source d'eau potable

improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.1% of population

Accès aux Installations Sanitaires

improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 11.1% of population total: 0.3% of population

Consommation de Tabac

total : 23 % hommes : 28,4 % femmes : 17,5 %

Consommation d'alcool

total : 8,93 litres d'alcool pur bière : 3,97 litres d'alcool pur vin : 1,67 litre d'alcool pur spiritueux : 3,29 litres d'alcool pur autres alcools : 0 litre d'alcool pur

Définition de l'Alphabétisation

Les personnes âgées de 15 ans et plus savent lire et écrire

Espérance de vie scolaire totale

total : 16 ans hommes : 16 ans femmes : 17 ans

Classe

Parce que les écoles sont financées au niveau des États et au niveau local, la qualité des structures et des ressources de classe peut varier considérablement. La plupart des écoles tentent de maintenir la taille de leurs classes à 20 élèves ou moins, mais parfois les ressources nécessitent des inscriptions de classe plus importantes. Parce que les élèves sont à l'école pendant une moyenne de sept à huit heures par jour (selon les directives locales), ils mangeront généralement le déjeuner pendant les heures de classe. Ils peuvent apporter un déjeuner de la maison, ou acheter le déjeuner à l'école pour un coût très raisonnable (environ 2,00 dollars américains). Les directives diététiques pour les déjeuners disponibles à l'école sont établies par le gouvernement national (administré par le Département de l'Agriculture), mais les écoles locales décident quels aliments servir pour répondre à ces directives. Un déjeuner typique peut consister en un hamburger ou une tranche de pizza, une boisson, un fruit et un biscuit. Pour les familles à faible revenu, les déjeuners sont gratuits ou à prix réduit. Pendant l'année scolaire 2004-2005, six élèves sur dix aux États-Unis ont reçu un déjeuner gratuit ou à prix réduit.

Éducation Culture

Les États-Unis ne possèdent pas de système scolaire national ; cependant, il existe des programmes de soutien fédéraux et des directives éducatives, en plus des directives étatiques et locales. Entre 85 et 90% des enfants de moins de 18 ans fréquentent des écoles publiques. Bien que la limite d'âge varie selon les États, tous les enfants aux États-Unis ont le droit de recevoir au moins 11 années d'éducation financée par les fonds publics. Ces écoles publiques sont financées par les impôts locaux et étatiques et relèvent de ces juridictions. Un segment assez restreint de la scolarité publique est constitué d'écoles à charte, qui sont des écoles publiques confiées à une communauté locale ou à un groupe de parents pour être gérées. Parmi les enfants qui ne fréquentent pas les écoles publiques, la plupart sont inscrits dans des écoles privées, qui doivent être payées par les familles des élèves. 80% des écoles privées aux États-Unis sont gérées par des groupes religieux. Une troisième option éducative dont profite seulement un petit pourcentage est l'école à domicile, ce qui signifie que les parents enseignent eux-mêmes aux enfants à la maison. Le nombre d'enfants scolarisés à domicile a dépassé un million pour la première fois en 2003. La maternelle est généralement disponible pour une année avant l'entrée à l'école élémentaire, qui commence à l'âge de six ans. Les systèmes scolaires incluent habituellement les classes de la première à la sixième année à l'école élémentaire, de la septième à la huitième ou neuvième année au collège (parfois appelé école intermédiaire), et les classes de la neuvième ou dixième à la douzième année à l'école secondaire. Dans les communautés rurales plus petites, il est courant que l'école élémentaire inclue les classes de la première à la huitième année, l'école secondaire couvrant les années restantes jusqu'à la douzième. Avec l'afflux de personnes ne parlant pas anglais au cours des 20 dernières années, les modèles éducatifs traditionnels ont été élargis pour inclure le contenu et les méthodes de nombreuses sous-cultures majeures des États-Unis. Comme la plupart des nations industrialisées, environ un tiers des jeunes adultes entrant sur le marché du travail ont fait des études universitaires. De plus en plus, une éducation universitaire est nécessaire pour obtenir un emploi permettant de maintenir le niveau de vie auquel de nombreuses familles se sont habituées.

Apprentissage

Les enfants sont à l'école en moyenne sept à huit heures par jour (selon les règlements des États et locaux), du lundi au vendredi, pendant environ 180 jours par an. La plupart des écoles ont une longue pause d'environ deux mois et demi pendant la saison estivale, qui est beaucoup plus longue que dans de nombreuses autres nations. Les uniformes scolaires ne sont pas obligatoires dans la plupart des écoles publiques des États-Unis (3 % avaient des uniformes en 1997, alors que certaines études affirmaient que ce chiffre atteignait 21 % en 2000). Cependant, il existe généralement une sorte de code vestimentaire qui interdit les vêtements qui exposent trop de peau ou les sous-vêtements, qui sont liés aux gangs, ou qui ne sont tout simplement pas sûrs. Dans les écoles privées, les uniformes sont assez courants, composés de chemises à col de couleurs spécifiques avec des pantalons ou des jupes également de couleurs spécifiques. Certaines écoles privées préfèrent un uniforme plus formel composé d'un blazer et d'une cravate pour les garçons et de culottes ou de jupes pour les filles. Bien que le programme scolaire change d'un État à l'autre, presque toutes les écoles élémentaires enseignent les mathématiques, les arts du langage (comme la lecture et l'écriture), les sciences, les études sociales (incluant l'histoire et la géographie), et l'éducation physique. La plupart des écoles aujourd'hui enseignent également les compétences informatiques de base, qui deviennent une partie essentielle de l'éducation dans tous les domaines d'études et les compétences générales de la vie. Les écoles secondaires enseignent des aspects de plus en plus ciblés de ces domaines généraux et incluent souvent des cours au choix supplémentaires tels que le théâtre, la musique chorale et instrumentale, les compétences de vie (comme la cuisine ou les finances personnelles), les langues étrangères, l'athlétisme, l'édition, et les compétences techniques (comme la mécanique automobile, la soudure, ou la menuiserie). La plupart des États attribuent des notes de performance en utilisant une série de lettres : traditionnellement A signifiait exceptionnel ; B, au-dessus de la moyenne ; C, moyen ; D, en dessous de la moyenne ; et F était une note d'échec qui nécessitait la répétition du cours jusqu'à ce que la maîtrise soit obtenue. Cependant, l'inflation des notes est devenue une pratique si courante qu'aujourd'hui un B est plus typique d'une performance moyenne, et un C est un travail réussi mais inférieur aux normes.

À l'école

Certains enfants vont à l'école à vélo ou à pied, certains prennent des bus fournis par l'école, d'autres profitent des systèmes de transport public disponibles dans de nombreuses zones métropolitaines, et d'autres encore font du covoiturage ou sont accompagnés par un parent. Le mode de transport dépend souvent de la situation de l'école dans un environnement urbain ou rural, de la période de l'année et du statut économique des parents.

• Protestant52.0%
• Roman Catholic24.0%
• Other10.0%
• None10.0%
• Mormon2.0%
• Jewish1.0%
• Muslim1.0%

Anglais 82,1%, espagnol 10,7%, autres langues indo-européennes 3,8%, langues asiatiques et des îles du Pacifique 2,7%, autres 0,7% Note : les États-Unis n'ont pas de langue nationale officielle, mais l'anglais a acquis un statut officiel dans 28 des 50 États ; l'hawaïen est une langue officielle dans l'État d'Hawaï

anglais seulement 78,2 %, espagnol 13,4 %, chinois 1,1 %, autre 7,3 %

• English

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  John Adams

  Président des États-Unis

  Second President of the United States of America from 1797-1801 . Without John Adams the United States of America might not have had an Independence Day to celebrate. He was one of the first men in the colonies to argue that we should seek freedom for England . John Adams served with Thomas Jefferson on the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence. He helped convince Continental Congress that the Declaration should be accepted, and as a result, on July 4, 1776, the country known as The United States of America was born. John Adams, was a lawyer. He graduated from Harvard University . In spite of his great patriotism, courage, and honesty, Adams was an unpopular president. Proud and stubborn, he represented the influence and power of his secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and his Vice-President, Thomas Jefferson. John Adams was the first president to live in the white house, then called the Castle. It was not finished inside and lacked landscaping. Adams’ most important acts as President were: Keeping us out of war with France , establishing the Marine Corps and the Department of the Navy, and establishing the Library of Congress. The Fifth Amendment was added to the Constitution while he was president.

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  John Quincy Adams

  Chef de gouvernement

  6 th President of the United States of America from 1825 - 1829. John Quincy Adams was the son of our 2 nd president, John Adams. This is the only case of both a father and son being elected to presidency until George W. Bush. When John Quincy Adams was 10 years old he watched the Battle of Bunker Hill. His father often took him to Europe on his travels and at age 14 John Quincy became secretary of our ambassador to Russia . John Quincy Adams was a lawyer. He was very brilliant and capable, which is why he held more government offices then any president before him. John Quincy was the first president to win an election without the majority of electoral or popular vote. There were 4 men running for president in 1824 and none of them received two-thirds of majority necessary to win so the House of Representatives chose the president, which was John Quincy Adams. While he was president the Erie Canal was completed and track was laid for America ’s first passenger train. No new states were added during his term.

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  Chester Alan Arthur

  Président des États-Unis

  21 st President of the United States of America from 1881 - 1885. Chester A. Arthur was a professional politician who achieved his goals by whatever he could. He rose to power during a period of dishonesty in government. As a New York lawyer he became known as a defender of Negro’s civil rights. In 1855 he won a case establishing rights for Negroes to ride any street car in the city. As president, Arthur surprised the nation by his honesty and efficiency. Outraged over dishonesty of some previous administrations in appointing officials to positions where they had no particular training or ability, Arthur caused Congress to pass the Civil Service Act. This meant to apply for a government job one must pass a test to show their skills and ability. It also protected them from losing their job when a president died. When Arthur was president, the first skyscraper was built in Chicago , The U.S. celebrated the 100 th anniversary of its independence, and standard time was adopted across the country.

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  James Buchanan

  Président des États-Unis

  15 th President of the United States of America from 1857 - 1861. James Buchanan was our only bachelor President. When he was a young man he became engaged. The couple quarreled and broke the engagement – shortly after the girl died. This unhappy affair really upset Buchanan and he vowed to never marry. While president, his niece acted to be the White House hostess. When Buchanan was president, 7 of the 15 states broke off and created the Confederate States of America . The Pony Express was established and Americans went riding in horse drawn sleighs singing the newest song – Jingle Bells. Three more states were added to the Union . They were Minnesota , Oregon , and Kansas .

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  George H. W. Bush

  Président américain

  41st George Herbert Walker Bush President of the United States of America from 1989 - 1993. On Tuesday, November 8, 1988, George Bush and Dan Quayle were elected President and Vice-President of the U.S. They represented the Republican Party and defeated Mike Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen of the Democratic Party. Mr. Bush had served as Vice-President to Ronald Reagan for the last 8 years and he became the first Vice-President to be elected to the Presidency on his own since Martin Van Buren. Bush was a pilot during World War II and won the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism. He later graduated from Yale University . He worked as a salesman in the oil industry in Texas and later he and his two partners founded their oil company. He has also been President of an off-shore drilling company. He married Barbra Peirce in 1945 and they have five living children (Robin, a daughter died in 1953 at the age of five). Bush entered politics in 1964 when he ran for Senate and lost. In 1966, he won a seat in the House of Representatives. He served 2 terms. He has also served as an Ambassador of the United Nations, been chairman of the Republican National Committee, and been Director of the C.I.A.

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  Grover Cleveland

  Président américain

  22 nd and 24 th President of the United States of America from 1885 - 1889 and 1893 - 1897. Grover Cleveland was our only president to serve 2 non-successive terms. He was also the 1 st president to be married in the White House. Cleveland was the son of a minister who died when Grover studied law and became a successful attorney. Cleveland was an honest president and didn’t hesitate to veto bills that he considered a “raid on the U.S. Treasury”. His motto was “a public office is a public trust.” When Cleveland was president, France gave us the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Cleveland defeated Benjamin Harrison in the 1892 election to become our 24 th president. When Cleveland was president the 2 nd time Utah was made the 45 th state, Henry Ford’s 1 st car appeared on the streets of Detroit in 1893, the Chicago World’s Fair featured the 1 st Ferris wheel and the 1 st fairgrounds lighted by electricity, and Thomas A. Edison opened the 1 st motion picture studio

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  Bill Clinton

  Président américain

  42 nd President of the United States of America from 1993 - 2001. As a 16-year-old member of Boy’s Nation, Clinton stood in the Rose Garden of the White House and shook hands with John Kennedy- an instant of symbolic torch passing that had a powerful effect upon a boy from Hope , Arkansas . Clinton likes to invoke a parallel. Kennedy and Clinton do not look alike, though they share an air of youth and vigor and good health. Mr. Bill Clinton won the presidential election in November 1992, over the incumbent President, George Bush, who managed Desert Storm steadfastly and precisely. The American people responded to Clinton ’s gamble by taking an enormous risk of their own. Clinton ’s best luck was that the economy kept dragging along the bottom or the duration fof the campaign. “First, we have to roll up our sleeves,” Bill Clinton explains how he will make the hard choices that lie ahead of him. With his wife Hilary, he describes a political partnership without precedent in U.S. history. The American people are eager to see many new and creative changes in the future with Clinton ’s in the White House.

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  Calvin Coolidge

  Président des États-Unis

  30 th President of the United States of America from 1923 - 1929. Calvin Coolidge was a shy, silent lawyer. His nickname “Silent Cal” suited him well. He issued few unnecessary public statements and rarely wasted a word. His campaign slogan was “Keep Cool with Coolidge.” Coolidge was a very popular President and could have served a second term but refused. His statement on the subject was “I do not choose to run for President in 1929.” When Coolidge was president, Charles A. Lindbergh made the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, two U.S. Army bi-planes made the first around the world flight, the first diesel locomotive began operation in New York , and the first talking motion picture was made. The title of this movie was “The Jazz Singer” and starred Al Jolson.

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  Dwight D. Eisenhower

  Président américain

  34 th President of the United States of America from 1953 - 1961. Dwight David Eisenhower, a general in World War II, commanded the greatest army in history. He was the commander of all the Allied armies in Europe . He was the second President to be a West Point graduate. Eisenhower as the choice of both political parties for their nominee for President in 1952. He was very close to being a bipartisan President (one that represents both parties). When Ike, as he was called by his friends, finished his second term in office, he was 70 years old, the oldest man in the U.S. history to leave that office at that time. Almost as soon as he took office, Eisenhower brought an end to U.S. involvement in the Korean War. Other events when he was President were; Dr. Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine to prevent polio, the first satellite was launched in 1958, jet passenger service began on U.S. airlines and Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union as 49 th and 50 th states. Eisenhower was the first President to have his inaugural ceremonies on television

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  Millard Fillmore

  Président des États-Unis

  13 th President of the United States of America from 1850 - 1853. Millard Fillmore was born in a log cabin. His parents were poor farmers. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to a clothing maker. He hated his work and his master so bad he worked on his father’s farm and studied to become a lawyer. His tutors name was Miss Abigail Powers and she encouraged him to go into politics. In 1826 they were married. Fillmore’s most important contribution to the country was to delay the Civil War by passing the Compromise of 1850. This provided for the run-away slaves to be returned to their owners and abolished slavery in Washington D.C. It also organized the territories of Utah and New Mexico with no reference to slavery and admitted California to the Union as a free state . The city of Fillmore in Millard County , Utah , is named for this President.

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  Gerald R. Ford

  Président des États-Unis

  38 th President of the United States of America from 1974 - 1977. Gerald Ford was the only Vice president to become president upon the resignation of a President. Richard Nixon resigned President on August 9, 1974, and Ford took office the same day. Ford had been Vice President only 8 months when he became President. The major problems Ford inherited as President was soaring inflation and a loss of public confidence in government. The Watergate scandal was not quickly forgotten in the minds of most Americans, and so when President Ford pardoned Nixon of all federal crimes, Ford’s popularity has hurt severely. Other happenings during Ford’s administration were: the bicentennial celebration of the founding of American, space vehicle (Viking I) landed on another planet (Mars) in 1976, and the Vietnam War ended in 1975 when North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam . President, Gerald Ford escaped 2 assassination attempts, both in 1975 and both in California . Gerald Ford was elected President in 1976, and thus became the only person ever to serve as President of the United States without being elected to that office.

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  James A. Garfield

  Président des États-Unis

  20 th President of the United States of America in 1881. James A. Garfield was the last President to be born in a log cabin. Nobody knows what kind of president he would be because he was assassinated a few months into office. His is the shortest term next to William Henry Harrison. Before becoming president, he was a successful professor, college president, Civil War General, and U.S .Congressman. He was a very brilliant man and would entertain his friends by writing Greek in one hand and Latin in the other. On July 2, 1881, while standing in a railroad station in Washington D.C. , Charles J. Guiteau stepped out of a crowd of people and fired 2 shots at Garfield . Guiteau held a grudge because he didn’t appoint him the U.S. Consul in Paris , France . Garfield lived near death for 80 days. Surgeons couldn’t find the bullet lodged in his back. In the short time Garfield was president, The Red Cross was organized by Clara Barton. Garfield County in Utah is named for this President.

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  Ulysses S. Grant

  Président des États-Unis

  18 th President of the United States of America from 1869 - 1877. Ulysses S, Grant was the first West Point graduate to become president. He gained fame as the leader of the victorious Union Army during the Civil War. Grant’s presidency was clouded by disgrace and dishonesty. Grant himself was not dishonest but he put his trust with the wrong people. The dishonest schemes were committed by persons he had in high positions. Grant’s real name was Hyrum Ulysses Grant, but the Congressman who made the appointment papers to West Point thought that Ulysses was his first name and Simpson, his mother’s family name was his middle. Afraid that his classmates would make fun of his initials (H.U.G.), he never corrected the mistake. While Grant was president, the transcontinental railroad was connected, the telephone was invented, Yellowstone Park was made our first National park, Custer was defeated at the Battle of the Big Horn, the Suez Canal was completed, and Colorado was admitted to the Union . Also, the 15 th amendment was added to the Constitution giving all citizens the right to vote.

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  Warren G Harding

  Président des États-Unis

  29 th President of the United States of America from 1921 - 1923. Warren G. Harding was our only President to be in the Newspaper business. He bought the Marion Star when he was 19 and became its editor. When Harding became president, he had the confidence of the American people and his slogan “Back to normalcy” was very popular. Life in the U.S. did seem to be back to normal. Harding had little interest in foreign affairs of other nations. A scandal arose involving a United States Navy oil field in the west called “ Teapot Dome ”. Some of Harding’s advisors in his cabinet had turned the rich Teapot Dome oilfields over to their personal friends. Some cabinet members went to jail for taking bribes. Other officials were convicted of stealing government money. Harding’s close advisors had betrayed him. In 1923 he went on a speaking trip around the country to try to explain things to the American public. While on this trip he became sick and died. While Harding was president, the Unknown Soldier of World War I was buried in Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated.

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  Benjamin Harrison

  Président américain

  23 rd President of the United States of America from 1889 - 1893. Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of our 9 th President William Henry Harrison. Benjamin was very brilliant. He became a lawyer at the age of 20. Harrison did more than any other president to increase respect for the flag. By his order, the flag waved above the White House and all government buildings. Harrison also urged that the flag be flown over all the schools. Harrison ’s greatest contribution was passing the Anti-Trust Act. During the period of rapid industrialization in the late 1880’s many corporations formed trusts that controlled market prices and destroyed competition. This Act was passed to protect small farmers and businessmen. While Harrison was president, electric lights and bells were installed in the White House, basketball was originated in 1891 by James A Naismith, a physical education instructor. The states of North Dakota , South Dakota , Montana , Washington , Idaho , and Wyoming were added to the United States.

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  William Henry Harrison

  Président des États-Unis

  9 th President of the United States of America in 1841. William Henry Harrison was the oldest man to become the president of the United States . Harrison also served the shortest term in office (31 days). At his inaugural ceremonies he caught a cold which turned to pneumonia. He died one month later. He was the first president to die in office. Harrison was born on a beautiful plantation called “ Berkeley ”. His father wanted him to become a doctor and he studied medicine for a while, but didn’t like it so he joined the army. He gained fame as an Indian fighter at the Battle of Tippecanoe. There he defeated the famous Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh in 1811. Harrison campaign slogan was “Tippecanoe and Tyler , too”.

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  Rutherford Birchard Hayes

  Président américain

  19 th President of the United States of America from 1877 - 1881. Rutherford B. Hayes was a successful Lawyer and a fearless Civil War army officer. He was wounded four times and had four horses shot from under him. Hayes was elected President by a margin of 1 electoral vote. His election over Samuel Tilden ended the most disputed election in U.S. history. Hayes and his wife Lucy tried to set a good example for every American family; smoking, card playing, and the serving of alcohol in the White House was forbidden. Because of her ban on alcohol in the White House, some people called her “Lemonade Lucy”, but most praised her for her high standards and gracious manners. When Hayes was President, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph and demonstrated it at the White House, the first electric street lights were used, and the custom of rolling Easter Eggs on the White House lawn begun.

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  Herbert Hoover

  Président américain

  31 st President of the United States of America from 1929 - 1933. Herbert Hoover was the first professional engineer to hold the office of President. Hoover ’s father was a village blacksmith so Herbert had to work his way through college to earn his engineering degree. Hoover was one of the best engineers of his time and was entrusted with important engineering projects for the U.S. and other nations. When World War I broke out in 1914, he took up the job of helping stranded Americans leave Europe . He became interested in food distribution to Belgium children orphaned by the war. President Wilson appointed him Federal Food Administrator. Both Presidents Harding and Coolidge made him their Secretary of Commerce. Hoover entered the Presidency on the crest of Prosperity, but just 7 months later the country entered the worst depression of Unites States history. Stocks and bonds became worthless, business failed, banks closed, and millions were out of work. Although the depression was world wide and the result of a let-down after a war, the American people blamed Hoover and did not re-elect him.

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  Andrew Jackson

  Président des États-Unis

  7 th President of the United States of America from 1829 - 1837. Andrew Jackson was the first President to be born in a log cabin. He was an orphan and at the age of 18 he fought in the Revolutionary war and was captured by the British. While he was a prisoner a British officer slashed his arm and face with his saber. After the Revolutionary war, Jackson studied to be a lawyer and he built a beautiful plantation in Nashville , Tennessee , called “The Hermitage”. When the war of 1812 came, Jackson led the American forces at the battle of New Orleans to victory against the British. This made him a national hero and earned his nickname “Old Hickory”. While he was president the first daily newspaper was published in New York in 1833, the McCormick reaper was invented and the Battle of the Alamo took Place. The states of Arkansas and Michigan were added to the Union making a total of 26 States.

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  Thomas Jefferson

  Président des États-Unis

  3rd President of the United States of America from 1801 - 1809. Thomas Jefferson was a plantation owner. His plantation, Monticello , means “Little Mountain” in Indian Language. Jefferson was also a lawyer, an inventor, and a famous architect. He was one of the first farmers to use machinery. His home at Monticello is filled with his inventions. Jefferson was good at everything he tried, and the three he most proud of were: Author of the Declaration of Independence, Author of the Statue of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and founder of University of Virginia . When Jefferson was president, Ohio was admitted to the union as the 17 th state. Jefferson also doubled the land area of our country with the Louisiana Purchase from France . Other events during Jefferson’s term as President were the establishment of West Point Military Academy to train our army officers, the first successful steamboat was built by Robert Fulton, and Zebulon Pike discovered the famous peak in Colorado named after him. ( Pike’s Peak ) Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington D.C.

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  Andrew Johnson

  Président des États-Unis

  17 th President of the United States of America from 1865 - 1869. Andrew Johnson was President during one of the most difficult periods of our history. The Civil War had left great financial problems in our country. The Union had been saved, but the feelings between the North and South were very bitter. Johnson was not a popular president especially with the Congress and Senate. Impeachment charges were filed against him and he was saved by 1 vote, it would have required 36 out of 54 Senate votes to put him out of office and only 35 votes were cast against him. Andrew Johnson never learned to read until he was 14 years old and his wife taught him to write. He had a talent for public speaking and entered debates held by students at college near his home and with this training he entered politics. While Johnson was President, we purchased Alaska from Russia , Nebraska entered the Union , the first practical typewriter was invented, and the 13 th and 14 th Amendments were added to the Constitution. The 13 th freed all remaining slaves and the 14 th made them citizens of the U.S.

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  Lyndon B. Johnson

  Président des États-Unis

  36 th President of the United States of America from 1963 - 1969. Lyndon Baines Johnson was born very poor. After high school he decided he had enough schooling and worked on a road building crew. Finally he realized that his parents had been right, he did need more education. After graduation from college he taught at Houston High School for 2 years. At age 24 he quit teaching and entered politics as a secretary to a Texas Congressman. Later Johnson was elected as a Congressman and then a senator from Texas . When he entered World War II, Johnson was the first member of Congress to go on active duty. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery. When Johnson was President, the United States became deeply involved in Vietnam and three U.S. astronauts became the first to orbit the moon, the 25 th Amendment was added to the Constitution, this clarified the role of Vice-President in the event of the death or disability of a President and it gave him the right to choose a new Vice-President. Although Johnson was elected by one of the largest majorities in our century, the anti-war movement and race-riots reduced his popular so much that he did not seek a 2 nd term of his own in 1968.

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  John F. Kennedy

  Président américain

  35 th President of the United States of America from 1961 - 1963. John F. Kennedy was the youngest man elected to office of President, 43 years old. (Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he became President on death of McKinley.) Kennedy was the wealthiest man to ever take office. Most of his early education took place in exclusive private schools. He attended Harvard Law School to obtain his law degree. During World War II he served as a commander on a P.T. boat in the Navy. Kennedy is best remembered for hi statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.” While Kennedy was President, he avoided an atomic bomb war with Russia and forced them to withdraw their missiles from Communist Cuba, the civil rights demonstrations and protests by Negroes and other minority groups broke out in the large cities of the United States and U.S. troops were sent to Viet Nam . Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in a motorcade in Dallas , Texas .

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  Abraham Lincoln

  Président des États-Unis

  16 th President of the United States of America from 1861 - 1865 Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin. He attended school only a few months, but read every book he could borrow in order to prove himself. While growing up he worked as a storekeeper and laborer in order to earn enough money to study law. In 1856, Lincoln joined the newly formed Republican Party. His debates with Stephen A. Douglas against slavery won him national recognition. In 1860 he won his party’s nomination for president and his election made him our first Republican President. Lincoln was president during the most difficult time in our nation’s history. Eleven slave states left the Union to the Confederate States of America . The Civil War started only days after his election in 1861 and lasted until 1865. Lincoln put an end to slavery in our country with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Just 6 days after Robert E. Lee surrendered and our nation was reunited, Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. by John Wilkes Boothe. The states of Nevada and West Virginia were admitted to the Union . West Virginia was formed from a part of Virginia which did not leave with the Confederate States . .

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  James Madison

  Président des États-Unis

  4 th President of the Unites States of America from 1809 - 1817. James Madison was a wealthy plantation owner and lawyer. He served our country well as a champion of the Bill of Rights, member of Congress, Secretary of State, and Father of the Constitution. Madison was a peace-loving man, but he was reluctantly obliged to declare war on England in 1812 to establish the rights of American ships and sailors. England was stopping our ships and trying to locate runaway British sailors. They captured American sailors and forced them to serve on English ships. During the War of 1812, the British burned Washington D.C. and the White House. This is the only war which a foreign power has invaded continental United States . In 1814 Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” during the shelling of Fort McHenry by British war-ships. While Madison was President the states of Louisiana and Indiana were added to the union to making 19. After his term in office, Madison retired to his plantation, Montpelier , where he joined with Jefferson in founding the University of Virginia . Madison was our shortest president, just 5 feet 4 inches tall.

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  William McKinley

  Président des États-Unis

  25 th President of the Unites States of America from 1897 - 1901. When the Civil War broke out McKinley was the first man in his home town to volunteer. He first served in a regimen command of another future president, Rutherford B. Hayes. After the war he entered law school. Early in life McKinley developed a love for politics. He served two terms as governor of Ohio and seven terms as a U.S. Congressman. His political career almost came to an end when banks came to him to collect notes for 100,000.00 which he signed to a friend who went bankrupt. Threatened with bankruptcy himself, he appealed to his wealthy political sponsor, Marcus Hanna. Hanna and some other wealthy men paid off the notes and saved McKinley’s future. When McKinley ran for president, he conducted most of his campaign from his front porch. His wife was an invalid and he refused to leave her to go on campaign trips. Mr. Hanna arranged for thousands of visitors to go to McKinley’s home in Ohio to hear his speeches. McKinley was just six months into his second term when he was assassinated by Leon T. Czolgosz at a public reception in Buffalo , New York . When McKinley was president, the United States fought and won the Spanish-American war. This victory made U.S. a world power. Guam , Hawaii , the Philippines , Puerto Rico, and American Samoa all became states or dependent territories of the United States.

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  James Monroe

  Président des États-Unis

  5 th President of the Unites States of America from 1817 - 1825. James Monroe was a planter and lawyer. His two homes are named “Ash Lawn” and “Oak Hill”. Monroe was so popular that his two terms where named “The Era of Good Feeling”. During Monroe ’s administration, the states of Mississippi , Illinois , Alabama , Maine , and Missouri were added to the Union to make 24 total states in the United States . While Monroe was president he passed “The Missouri Compromise” which limited the westward expansion of slavery. He purchased Florida from Spain and he gave his name to one of our nation’s most important documents: The Monroe Doctrine. This doctrine stated that the American continents were no longer open to colonization and that there must be no European interference with American nations

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  Richard M. Nixon

  Président des États-Unis

  37 th President of the Unites States of America from 1969 - 1974. Through President Richard Nixon disliked much of the press, he had the White House swimming pool filled in, to give reporters more room when covering the White House events. Born in California in 1913, Nixon graduated from Duke University Law School and became a lawyer. Like Lyndon, Nixon served as a Lieutenant Commander during World War II. He was elected to Congress and became a Senator, before being selected Vice President to Eisenhower. Nixon’s first term serving as president was successful. His second term, however, began with a scandal. 5 men were arrested for breaking into the White House headquarters of the National Democratic Committee in the Watergate building. Several men resigned. At first Nixon denied his involvement, but as impeachment proceedings began, he resigned, the only President that did so. While Nixon was President, Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, U.S. began major withdrawals of troops from Vietnam , the 26 th Amendment was added to the Constitution allowing 18 year olds to vote, and the Supreme Court ruled that women must receive equal pay for equal work.

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  Franklin Pierce

  Président des États-Unis

  14 th President of the Unites States of America from 1853 - 1857. Franklin Pierce’s natural good looks and pleasant way with people helped him win easy political victories. An outstanding lawyer, he was elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 29. At the 34 he was elected to the Senate. While president the U.S. Senate made the Gadsden Purchase which acquired land in the South West from Mexico , the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed making slavery possible in large areas in the West. Pierce’s support of this act angered people in Northern States. This along with supporting the rights of new immigrants to the country made him unpopular and weakened the Democratic party, and led to the Republican Party being formed between 1854 and 1856. At Christmas time in 1855, carolers sang “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” for the first time. The most popular songs of this era were written by Stephen Foster.

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  James K. Polk

  Président des États-Unis

  11 th President of the Unites States of America from 1845 - 1849. Under James K. Polk, the United States achieved its greatest territorial growth. The U.S. flag was raised over most of the area now made up of 9 of our western states. Polk’s successful direction of the Mexican war won the United States most of its territory. Next to George Washington, Polk had the greatest record of successful programs. He carried out every item of his political campaign. His cold, silent, unfriendly, and ungenerous personality didn’t make him a popular president. Before he became president, Polk was a wealthy landowner, farmer, lawyer, and politician. While Polk was in office there was no dancing, no liquor, and no card playing in the White House. This was because of his wife’s strict religious upbringing. During his term in office Brigham Young led the Pioneers to Utah, Gold was discovered in California, the U.S Naval Academy was established in Indianapolis, Maryland, the first postage stamp was issued in the U.S., Elias Howe invented the sewing machine, and the states of Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin were added to the Union.

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  Ronald Reagan

  Président des États-Unis

  40 th President of the Unites States of America from 1981 - 1989. At age 69, Ronald Reagan was the oldest man in history to be elected President. Before entering politics he was a movie actor for nearly 30 years. He appeared in more than 50 movies. When Reagan became president, the nation faced serious foreign and domestic problems. Relations between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were at the lowest point in years, and at home the country was experiencing high inflation, a recession, and high unemployment numbers. By the end of Reagan’s first term, he had strengthened the country militarily, ended the high inflation, succeeded in lowering the unemployment numbers, and helped the economy make a strong recovery. The country was so pleased with his performance that he was elected for a second term, Reagan won by the greatest amount of electoral votes in history. (525 to 13). Other events during his administration include, the appointment of the first woman (Sandra Day O’Conner) to the Supreme Court, the 1985 bombing of Libya in retaliation for its terrorist attacks, and the 1984 invasion of Grenada to establish political stability there.

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  Franklin D. Roosevelt

  Président américain

  32 nd President of the Unites States of America from 1933 - 1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt served the longest term in the Presidency, being elected 4 times. Roosevelt was a millionaire. He studied law at Columbia University Law School but was not interested enough to stay until graduation. He became a state senator at the age of 27, and assistant Secretary of the Navy at age 31. He was excited by the appointment because by then he had decided to become a politician. Roosevelt led the United States through its hardest Depression. When he took office, 1 in every 4 Americans had no job. Americans were worried about what would happen to them next. In his inaugural address he made his most famous statement, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” At the age of 37 Roosevelt caught polio which left him crippled for the rest of his life. When he was president, World War II took place, the Japanese made the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; the Social Security Act was passed which provided for retired workers and unemployed widows, the second Ocean Navy Act was passed, and the 21 st Amendment was added to the Constitution ending prohibition.

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  Theodore Roosevelt

  Président américain

  26 th President of the Unites States of America from 1901 - 1909. Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president in the U.S. He was the most popular president since Andrew Jackson and was by far, the most athletic and adventurous president the United States ever had. Many people also consider him to be one of the greatest, too. Roosevelt was both a lawyer and a rancher. When the Spanish-American war broke out he resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to lead the famous “Rough Riders”. He returned from the war a national hero. Roosevelt ’s motto while president was “Speak softly but Carry a Big Stick.” In accordance with this he fought dishonesty in government and industry. Roosevelt was very interested in conservation. He was once shown in a cartoon holding a bear cub, and since his nickname was Teddy, a toy manufacturer made a stuffed bear and called it a “Teddy Bear” in honor of the President. While Roosevelt was president, the Pure Food and Drug Act was Passed, the 1 st model t Ford went on sale, and Oklahoma became the 46 th state.

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  William H. Taft

  Président des États-Unis

  27 th President of the Unites States of America from 1909 - 1913. William Howard Taft is the only man in the history of United States who served as president and then as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Taft did not want to be President; he had little taste for politics. His wife however, was very ambitious and she felt that since he spent 20 years of his career as a lawyer and a judge, he was in a rut and should get into politics. No President was more unhappy in the White House than Taft. When his term ended he stated, “I’m glad to be leaving, this is the most lonesome place in the world.” Taft was the largest president, standing over 6 feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. When Taft was president, the North Pole was discovered by Admiral Robert E. Peary, the 16 th Amendment to the Constitution was passed which gave Congress the legal power to levy income tax, and the state of New Mexico and Arizona were added to the Union . Taft was the first President to have a government car.

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  Zachary Taylor

  Président des États-Unis

  12 th President of the Unites States of America from 1849 - 1850. Zachary Taylor was a professional soldier. He gained fame and became a national hero during the Mexican war. He was much loved and respected by his soldiers who gave him his nickname “Old Rough and Ready”. While Taylor was president arguments over slavery reached a new high. California applied for statehood as a “Free” state. Taylor argued that California be admitted to the union and expressed hope that New Mexico territory be admitted. Before slavery could be settled, Taylor became sick and died. He had gone to lay the cornerstone at Washington Monument on July 4, 1850. It was a very hot day and the ceremonies lasted for hours. Soon after coming back to the White House, the President came down with a fever and died 5 days later. Taylor was the last Whig President. While he was President, the Department of the Interior was created, the overland mail service (Pony Express) begun, and the California gold rush began.

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  Harry S. Truman

  Président des États-Unis

  33 rd President of the Unites States of America from 1945 - 1953. For the first 33 years of Harry Truman’s life he was a farmer. When World War II came along he enlisted for the army. After the war, he tried several businesses, all of which failed, so he studied law and then entered politics. He served as a U.S. Senator from Missouri for 10 years. Truman became President while the United States was still at war with Germany and Japan . During his first few weeks in office, Germany surrendered. He than made one of the most difficult decisions made by a president, to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima , Japan . This forced them to surrender, thus ending World War II. Other Events that took place while Truman was in office were the United Nations was organized, the United States entered the Korean War as part of the United Nations force to halt Civil War in the country of Korea, and the 22 nd Amendment was added to the Constitution which limited Presidents to 2 elected terms.

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  John Tyler

  Président des États-Unis

  10 th President of the Unites States of America from 1841 - 1845. John Tyler was the first Vice–President to inherit the office of President. His professions were lawyer and planter. His plantation was called “Sherwood Forest”; Tyler was not a well-liked president. He didn’t support the polices of any political party including his own Whig party. While Tyler was president, Kit Carson and John C. Freemont explored as far west as California , the Oregon Trail opened, China opened its ports for open trade, and Samuel Morse invented the telegraph. The 27 th state, Florida , was admitted to the Union .

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  Martin Van Buren

  Président des États-Unis

  8 th President of the Unites States of America from 1837 - 1841. Martin Van Buren was the first president born under the United States flag, the previous presidents were born while we were still English colonies. Van Buren was a lawyer (he entered law school at 15). Van Buren was not a popular president. His fondness for elegant and high fashioned clothes made people dislike him, since the country was having a depression and many people were out of work. His enemies gave him the name “Red Fox of Kinderhook”. The most important contributions while Van Buren was President were: Charles Goodyear discovered how to vulcanize rubber in 1839, the first steamship crossed the ocean, and the worlds first postage stamp was issued in England in 1840. No new states were added to the Union.

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  George Washington

  Président des États-Unis

  First President of the Unites States of America from 1789 - 1797. He is known as the “Father of our Country”. Washington was the son of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner. When George was 15 years old he became interested in surveying and marketing out new farms in the wilderness. By the time he was 17 he was a professional surveyor, laying out the plans for towns. During the French and Indian war he served in the British army and was made Lieutenant-Colonel at the age of 22. In 1760 Washington inherited Mt. Vernon (a plantation) and spent his time developing it and establishing a large fortune. He was also a member of the Colonial Legislature. When the revolutionary war broke out Washington led armies of the 13 colonies to victory over the British. In 1792 he was elected for a 2 nd term. He refused to serve a 3 rd term and retired at Mt. Vernon . Washington was the only president that didn’t live in the White House. New York and Philadelphia were the national capitols while he was president. Washington helped choose the place where our Nation’s capitol city, Washington D.C, now stands. While he was president the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution, the first bank was charted by congress, the National Mint for making money was established, the first meeting of the Supreme Court took place. Kentucky , Vermont , and Tennessee were added to make 16 states.

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  Woodrow Wilson

  Président américain

  28 th President of the Unites States of America from 1913 - 1921. Woodrow Wilson led the United States through World War I and gained lasting fame as a champion of world peace and democracy. Before he became president he had been a teacher and then President of Princeton University. When Wilson was president, the 1 st air mail service was established in 1918 between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., airplanes were used for the first time as fighting machines in World War I, the first telephone lines linking New York and San Francisco began operating in 1915, and the first commercial radio broadcasts were made from Detroit and Pittsburgh in 1920. Three amendments were added to the constitution. Number 17 provided for the Election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, number 18 banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. Number 19 passed in 1920 gave women the right to vote. The Panama Canal begun in 1906 was finished in 1920 and officially opened. In 1920 Wilson was given the Nobel peace prize for his attempt to establish the League of Nations to promote World Peace.

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  Martin Luther King

  Reformer

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  Rosa Parks

  Reformer

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  Malcolm X

  Reformer

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  Thurgood Marshall

  Reformer

• Barack Obama

  Le sénateur de l'Illinois a fait l'histoire le 4 novembre en remportant l'élection présidentielle. Il est le premier Africain-Américain à remporter la course à la Maison-Blanche. Le charisme, l'intelligence et les discours puissants d'Obama l'ont rendu extrêmement populaire auprès de nombreux Américains. Il a eu beaucoup de succès avec son message de changement. Obama est né à Hawaï en 1961 d'un père kenyan noir et d'une mère américaine blanche. Ses parents ont divorcé et sa mère a épousé un homme indonésien. La famille de Barack a déménagé en Indonésie en 1967. Il a fréquenté des écoles à Jakarta jusqu'à l'âge de dix ans, quand il est retourné à Hawaï. Obama a étudié les sciences politiques et les relations internationales à l'Université Columbia à New York. Après quatre ans à New York, Obama a déménagé à Chicago. Là, il a travaillé en tant que directeur d'un projet communautaire de 1985 à 1988. Il a suivi la Harvard Law School et est devenu le premier président noir de la Harvard Law Review. Obama a enseigné le droit à la Faculté de droit de l'Université de Chicago pendant douze ans. Il est devenu sénateur de l'Illinois en 1996. Obama a été élu au Sénat américain en 2004. Il est devenu le cinquième sénateur africain-américain dans l'histoire américaine. Il a soutenu la législation sur la conservation, l'énergie, l'immigration et le leadership honnête. En novembre 2008, il a vaincu John McCain pour devenir le 44e président des États-Unis dans une bataille électorale très acharnée. .

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  James E. Carter

  Président des États-Unis

  39 th President of the United States of America from 1977 - 1981. Jimmy Carter was a successful peanut farmer in Georgia before he entered politics as a Senator in 1962. He had also been an officer in the U.S. Naval Academy. He was the first graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to become President. In appearance and manner, Carter was calm reserved and soft spoken. His friends knew him as a man of great personal warmth and charm. In politics, he was an able, energetic campaigner with an iron will and a determination to win every fight. While in the Navy, Carter worked with a select group of officers who developed the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. While Carter was president a treaty was signed with Panama giving them control of the Panama Canal in 1999, Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Iranians took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held a group of Americans hostage for 444 days, an accident at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania caused concern about the safety of such plants, and the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. After serving one term Carter failed in his effort to be re-elected and returned to his peanut business in Georgia .

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  George W. Bush

  Président américain

  43 e Président des États-Unis d'Amérique de 2001 à 2009 George W. Bush est né le 6 juillet 1946 à New Haven, Connecticut. Son père était George Herbert Walker Bush, le 41e président de la nation. En grandissant, George aimait être le fils aîné de la famille. Il avait trois frères et une sœur. Il a obtenu son diplôme de Yale en 1968. À cette époque, la nation était profondément impliquée dans la Guerre du Viêt Nam. George a rejoint la Garde nationale du Texas et a appris à piloter un avion de combat. Après avoir assisté à Harvard Business School, Bush est retourné au Texas en 1975 pour créer une société de forage pétrolier à Midland. En 1977, Bush a épousé Laura Welch, une bibliothécaire scolaire de Midland. Ils sont les parents de jumelles, Barbra et Jenna. Après la victoire électorale de son père en 1988, Bush et sa famille se sont installés à Dallas. Bush a bientôt essayé une nouvelle entreprise – le baseball. Il a organisé un groupe d'investisseurs pour amener les Texas Rangers de la Ligue américaine à Dallas. En 1993, Bush a annoncé son intention de devenir gouverneur du Texas. Avec une victoire surprenante, Bush est devenu le premier enfant de président à être élu gouverneur d'un État. Bush a été réélu en 1998. Les gens disaient qu'il devrait envisager une candidature à la présidence. Bush a rapidement marché vers l'investiture républicaine. En tant que candidat à la présidence, il a promis davantage d'aide aux écoles et a visité plus de 100 salles de classe. George W. a perdu le vote populaire, mais a remporté le Collège électoral. Sa victoire sur Al Gore avait une grande signification pour les Républicains. Elle a permis au parti de reprendre la Maison-Blanche après 8 ans de gouvernance démocrate.

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  Barack H. Obama

  Président américain

  Barack H. Obama est le 44e président des États-Unis. Avec un père du Kenya et une mère du Kansas, le président Obama est né à Hawaï le 4 août 1961. Il a été élevé avec l'aide de son grand-père, qui a servi dans l'armée de Patton, et de sa grand-mère, qui a grandi du secrétariat à la direction intermédiaire d'une banque. Après avoir financé ses études universitaires grâce à des bourses et des prêts étudiants, le président Obama a déménagé à Chicago, où il a travaillé avec un groupe d'églises pour aider à reconstruire les communautés dévastées par la fermeture des aciéries locales. Il a poursuivi ses études à la faculté de droit, où il est devenu le premier président afro-américain de la Harvard Law Review . À sa sortie, il est retourné à Chicago pour aider à diriger une campagne d'inscription des électeurs, enseigner le droit constitutionnel à l'Université de Chicago et rester actif dans sa communauté. Les années de service public du président Obama sont fondées sur sa conviction inébranlable en la capacité à unir les gens autour d'une politique de dessein. Au Sénat de l'État de l'Illinois, il a adopté la première grande réforme éthique en 25 ans, réduit les impôts pour les familles travailleuses et étendu l'assurance maladie pour les enfants et leurs parents. En tant que sénateur des États-Unis, il a tendu la main au-delà des clivages partisans pour adopter une réforme révolutionnaire des lobbies, sécuriser les armes les plus dangereuses du monde et apporter la transparence au gouvernement en mettant les dépenses fédérales en ligne. Il a été élu 44e président des États-Unis le 4 novembre 2008 et a prêté serment le 20 janvier 2009.

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  Benjamin Franklin

  Statesman · 1706–1790

  Benjamin Franklin était un diplomate, politicien, imprimeur et scientifique. Il a inventé les verres progressifs, le poêle Franklin et a expérimenté l'électricité. Franklin est né en 1706 à Boston, Massachusetts. Il a montré son intelligence et son intérêt très tôt pour la lecture et l'écriture. À l'âge de dix ans cependant, il a été retiré de l'école pour apprendre le métier de son père de fabrication de chandelles. Le jeune Benjamin détestait ce travail et deux ans plus tard, il est devenu apprenti dans l'imprimerie de son frère James. Après cinq ans, Franklin a quitté l'imprimerie de son frère et est allé à New York. Il n'y avait pas de travail à New York, il s'est donc installé à Philadelphie. Philadelphie était une ville beaucoup plus grande à l'époque. Franklin est devenu très prospère en tant qu'imprimeur. La richesse lui a donné le temps de travailler sur ses inventions et ses intérêts. Franklin a reconnu que les foyers ordinaires n'étaient pas efficaces. Il a conçu le poêle Franklin pour mieux utiliser la chaleur. Son poêle aspirait l'air frais, chauffait l'air, puis faisait circuler l'air chauffé. Ces poêles sont devenus très populaires en Amérique et en Europe. L'électricité venait d'être découverte en Europe. Franklin en est devenu extrêmement intéressé et a passé six ans à essayer de générer de l'électricité. Franklin a commencé à se concentrer sur la foudre et l'idée qu'elle était causée par des charges électriques. Franklin a suggéré l'utilisation de paratonnerres pour rediriger l'électricité loin des bâtiments afin de les empêcher de brûler. En attachant une clé en fer à une ficelle de cerf-volant pendant un orage, il a pu identifier la charge électrique comme étant la même que celle d'une bouteille de Leyde. Cela a prouvé que la foudre était l'électricité. Benjamin Franklin a passé la dernière partie de sa vie à poursuivre ses intérêts et à travailler pour les colonies et la création des États-Unis. Franklin est décédé en 1790 dans le pays qu'il a aidé à former et à améliorer

• Alexander Hamilton

  Chef de gouvernement · 1755

  Alexander Hamilton, patriote, premier secrétaire du Trésor des États-Unis. Né à Nevis, Indes occidentales britanniques le 11 janvier 1755.

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  Edwin Laurentine Drake

  Entrepreneur · 1819

  Edwin Laurentine Drake est né en 1819 à Greenville, New York. Drake est considéré comme l'entrepreneur du pétrole de l'industrie pétrolière. Ancien conducteur de chemin de fer, son succès reposait sur sa conviction que le forage était le meilleur moyen d'extraire le pétrole de la terre. Il a organisé la Seneca Oil Co., loué des terres, et le 27 août 1859, il a découvert du pétrole à une profondeur de 69 pieds près de Titusville, Pennsylvanie. La plupart des historiens attribuent le démarrage de l'industrie pétrolière à grande échelle à cette première entreprise. Drake a utilisé un vieux moteur à vapeur pour alimenter la foreuse. Après que son puits a commencé à produire du pétrole, d'autres prospecteurs ont foré des puits à proximité. Le pétrole a créé des richesses pour de nombreuses personnes et pour de nombreux pays, mais pas pour Drake. Son manque de sens des affaires l'a finalement appauvri. En 1876, l'État de Pennsylvanie lui a accordé une rente, où il est resté jusqu'à sa mort à Bethlehem, Pennsylvanie. Une industrie qui a apporté de grandes richesses à tant de personnes a finalement l'honoré en ramenant son corps à Titusville et en l'inhumant dans un beau tombeau orné d'une sculpture de bronze symbolique. L'industrie pétrolière honore son berceau avec un musée et un parc commémoratif sur le site où Drake a découvert du pétrole dans son puits pionnier.

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  Thomas A. Edison

  Inventor · 1847–1931

  Thomas Alva Edison est né en 1847 à Milan, Ohio. Le jeune Tom n'a pas très bien réussi à l'école, sa mère a donc décidé de le lui enseigner à domicile. Elle lui a donné beaucoup de livres à lire. Tom était un garçon curieux. Il voulait toujours savoir comment les choses fonctionnaient. Il aimait voir s'il pouvait les faire fonctionner mieux. Sa mère l'a laissé installer un laboratoire dans la maison où il pouvait expérimenter les choses. Jeune homme, Tom a mis en place son propre laboratoire, où il pouvait essayer ses idées. Il a inventé beaucoup de choses dans son laboratoire. Devinez quelle était son invention préférée ? C'était le phonographe. Avant le phonographe, si vous vouliez écouter de la musique, vous deviez la jouer vous-même ou aller à un concert. L'invention la plus célèbre d'Edison était l'ampoule électrique. À l'époque, les gens utilisaient des lampes à gaz ou à huile pour éclairer leurs maisons. Edison savait que ce serait moins cher et plus facile d'utiliser l'électricité. Le problème était que personne ne savait comment le faire. Edison a travaillé longtemps sur son idée. Il a essayé beaucoup de choses qui ne fonctionnaient pas. Mais il n'a pas abandonné. Il a continué à essayer jusqu'au jour où cela a fonctionné ! Aujourd'hui, vous pouvez appuyer sur un interrupteur et avoir de la lumière chaque fois que vous le souhaitez. Edison a également construit la première centrale électrique. La centrale électrique Pearl Street d'Edison a ouvert en 1882 à New York. Elle alimentait 85 clients et produisait assez d'énergie pour éclairer 5 000 lampes. Edison a également inventé la caméra de cinéma. Quand vous allez au cinéma ou regardez la télévision, vous pouvez le remercier pour ses idées et son travail acharné. Beaucoup des machines électriques que vous voyez à la maison ou à l'école sont venues de ses idées. Inventer des choses était ce qu'Edison aimait le mieux. Il réfléchissait à la façon dont les choses fonctionnaient. Puis il a pensé à comment il pouvait le faire mieux. C'est ce qu'on appelle l'inspiration. La partie difficile est venue ensuite. Edison devait faire fonctionner ses idées. Il a essayé toutes sortes de choses jusqu'à ce qu'il trouve exactement ce qui fonctionnerait. Il a appelé cela la transpiration. Il a dit que l'invention était « un pour cent d'inspiration

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  Lewis Latimer

  Inventor · 1848

  Lewis Howard Latimer est né en 1848 à Chelsea, Massachusetts. Jeune homme, Latimer a appris le dessin mécanique en travaillant pour un bureau de brevets de Boston. En 1880, il a été embauché par Hiram Maxim de la U.S. Electric Lighting Company pour aider à développer une lampe électrique commercialement viable. En 1882, Latimer a inventé un dispositif pour fabriquer efficacement les filaments de carbone utilisés dans les lampes électriques et a partagé un brevet pour la « lampe électrique de Maxim ». Il a également breveté une douille en bois filetée pour ampoules et a supervisé l'installation de réverbères électriques à New York, Philadelphie, Montréal et Londres. En 1884, Latimer est devenu ingénieur à la Edison Electric Light Company où il a eu la distinction d'être le seul membre afro-américain des « Pionniers d'Edison » - l'équipe d'inventeurs de Thomas Edison. En travaillant pour Edison, Latimer a écrit Incandescent Electric Lighting, le premier manuel d'ingénierie sur les systèmes d'éclairage. Bien que les ampoules à incandescence d'aujourd'hui utilisent des filaments fabriqués à partir de tungstène plutôt que de carbone, le travail de Latimer a contribué à rendre possible l'utilisation généralisée des lumières électriques.

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  Granville Woods

  Inventor · 1856

  Né à Columbus, Ohio en 1856, Granville Woods a littéralement appris ses compétences sur le terrain. Après avoir fréquenté l'école à Columbus jusqu'à l'âge de 10 ans, il a suivi un apprentissage dans un atelier de machines et a appris les métiers de mécanicien et de forgeron. Pendant sa jeunesse, il a également fréquenté l'école du soir et suivi des cours particuliers. Bien qu'il ait dû quitter l'école formelle à l'âge de dix ans, Granville Woods a compris que l'apprentissage et l'éducation étaient essentiels pour développer les compétences critiques qui lui permettraient d'exprimer sa créativité avec les machines. En 1872, il a obtenu un emploi de chauffeur sur le chemin de fer Danville and Southern en Missouri, devenant finalement ingénieur. Il a consacré son temps libre à l'étude de l'électronique. En 1874, Woods s'est installé à Springfield, Illinois, et a travaillé dans une aciérie. En 1878, il a accepté un emploi à bord de l'Ironsides, un navire à vapeur britannique, et, en deux ans, est devenu Chef Ingénieur du navire. Finalement, ses voyages et ses expériences l'ont amené à s'installer à Cincinnati, Ohio, où il est devenu la personne la plus responsable de la modernisation du chemin de fer. En 1888, Woods a développé un système de lignes de conduction électriques aériennes pour les chemins de fer, qui a contribué au développement du système de chemin de fer aérien trouvé dans des villes comme Chicago, Saint-Louis et New York. Au début de la trentaine, il s'est intéressé à l'énergie thermique et aux moteurs à vapeur. Et, en 1889, il a déposé son premier brevet pour un foyer de chaudière à vapeur amélioré. En 1892, un système complet de chemin de fer électrique a été exploité à Coney Island, NY. En 1887, il a breveté le Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph, qui permettait les communications entre les gares depuis les trains en mouvement. L'invention de Woods a permis aux trains de communiquer avec la gare et avec d'autres trains afin qu'ils sachent exactement où ils se trouvaient à tout moment. Cette invention a accéléré les mouvements des trains et a prévenu d'innombrables accidents et collisions.

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  William Stanley

  Inventor · 1858

  William Stanley was born in 1858. During his lifetime he was granted 129 patents covering a wide range of electric devices. The most notable of these is the induction coil, a transformer that creates alternating current electricity. In the 1880s every electricity distribution system used direct current (DC). The problem is that DC transmission over long distances is impractical, requires thick wires, is dangerous and could not be used for lighting. On the other hand, alternating current (AC) systems did not have these drawbacks. AC voltage systems could be varied by use of induction coils, but no practical coil system had been invented. Stanley’s patent #349,611 changed all this and became the prototype for all future transformers. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Stanley attended private schools before enrolling at Yale University. He began to study law at age 21 but less than a semester later left school to look for a job in the emerging field of electricity. Stanley’s first job was as an electrician with one of the early manufacturers of telegraph keys and fire alarms. He designed one of the country’s first electrical installations for a store on New York’s Fifth Avenue. After inventor and industrialist George Westinghouse learned of Stanley’s accomplishments, he hired Stanley as his chief engineer at his Pittsburgh factory. It was during this time that Stanley began work on the transformer. After Stanley left Pittsburgh, in 1886 he built the first AC system, providing lighting for offices and stores on the Main Street of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He made transformers, auxiliary electrical equipment, and electrical appliances. The Stanley Electric Manufacturing Company was purchased by General Electric in 1903.

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  Henry Ford

  Entrepreneur · 1863

  Henry Ford est souvent incorrectement considéré comme l'inventeur de l'automobile. (Cet honneur appartient à Karl Benz d'Allemagne.) Henry Ford était un homme innovant qui a révolutionné l'industrie automobile. Ford est né le 30 juillet 1863 à Dearborn, Michigan. Enfant, il a travaillé à la ferme familiale. Pendant ses loisirs, il a expérimenté dans l'atelier mécanique de la ferme. À l'âge de 17 ans, Ford a quitté la ferme familiale et a déménagé à Detroit où il a poursuivi son travail dans des ateliers mécaniques, en particulier avec des moteurs à vapeur. En 1882, Henry Ford est devenu mécanicien certifié et a été embauché par la Westinghouse Company pour installer et réparer des moteurs à vapeur. En 1891, Ford a conçu un petit moteur fonctionnant à l'essence. Thomas Edison a ensuite offert un emploi à Henry Ford, et Ford est devenu ingénieur en chef de la Edison Illuminating Company. Trois ans plus tard, Ford a construit une voiture alimentée à l'essence connue sous le nom de « voiture sans chevaux ». Il a quitté son emploi chez Edison pour poursuivre ses intérêts dans les automobiles. Au cours des années suivantes, Henry Ford a continué à développer ses conceptions de voitures, notamment la Model A et la Model T. Il a augmenté à la fois la vitesse et l'efficacité énergétique. L'efficacité était une caractéristique de Ford. Il a développé la chaîne d'assemblage pour aider à produire des voitures rapidement et économiquement. L'objectif de Ford était de rendre les voitures accessibles aux Américains ordinaires. Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale et la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, l'usine Ford a été utilisée dans l'effort de guerre pour construire des équipements. Pendant la dernière partie de la vie d'Henry Ford, il a servi comme président de la Fondation Ford, une organisation caritative. Henry Ford est décédé le 7 avril, 1947.

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  Robert Goddard

  Scientist · 1882

  Robert Goddard est reconnu comme l'un des pères de l'astronautique moderne. Bien qu'il n'ait pas reçu de reconnaissance de son vivant, il est aujourd'hui reconnu comme un scientifique moderne important. Robert Goddard est né le 5 octobre 1882 à Worcester, Massachusetts. Enfant, il a montré un intérêt et une aptitude pour la science. Il a expérimenté l'électricité. Il est devenu fasciné par les feux d'artifice, début de son intérêt pour les fusées. Goddard a fréquenté les écoles publiques de Boston et Worcester. Il a étudié à Worcester Polytechnic Institute, une école d'ingénierie pratique. Il a régulièrement consigné ses nouvelles idées et inventions dans ses journaux. Après avoir obtenu son diplôme, il a enseigné à l'institut et plus tard à Clark University. En 1920, Goddard a écrit un article décrivant l'envoi d'une fusée sans pilote vers la lune. Il a été ridiculisé par la presse pour cette idée. Charles Lindbergh s'est intéressé à son travail et a commencé à financer les recherches de Goddard. Goddard a déplacé son opération au Nouveau-Mexique. Pendant cette période, il a travaillé sur les systèmes de parachute, les ailettes stabilisatrices et les gyroscopes. Bien que son travail ne soit pas largement connu aux États-Unis, les travaux de Goddard ont été pris très au sérieux en Allemagne. Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, les Allemands ont développé davantage les théories de Goddard. Goddard était un patriote américain fidèle et a travaillé avec l'armée américaine pour créer et construire le bazooka, une arme antichar. Il a travaillé avec la marine américaine pour développer des dispositifs de décollage par réaction. Goddard est décédé le 10 août 1945. Après sa mort, le Bureau des brevets américain a reconnu Goddard pour 214 brevets relatifs aux conceptions de fusées. Les fusées d'aujourd'hui sont basées sur les conceptions et les théories de Robert Goddard.

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  Frederick M. Jones

  Inventor · 1892

  Frederick M. Jones was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1892. After returning from France after serving in World War I, Mr. Jones worked as a garage mechanic. His mastery of electronic devices was largely self-taught, through work experience and the inventing process. With his experience as a mechanic he developed a self-starting gasoline motor. In the late 1920’s Frederick Jones designed a series of devices for the developing movie industry, which adapted silent movie projectors to use talking movie stock. He also developed an apparatus for the movie box-office that delivers tickets and returns change to customers. Frederick M. Jones was granted more than 40 patents in the field of refrigeration. In 1935 he invented the first automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks. The system was, in turn, adapted to a variety of other common carriers, including ships and railway cars. The invention eliminated the problem of food spoilage during long shipping times. The ability to provide fresh produce across the United States during the middle of summer or winter changed the American consumer’s eating habits. Jones’ inspiration for the refrigeration unit was a conversation with a truck driver who had lost a shipment of chickens because the trip took too long and the truck’s storage compartment overheated. Frederick Jones also developed an air-conditioning unit for military field hospitals and a refrigerator for military field kitchens. Frederick Jones received over 60 patents in his career.

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  David Crosthwait

  Inventor · 1898

  David Crosthwait est né à Nashville, Tennessee, en 1898. Il a obtenu un B.S. de l'Université Purdue (1913) et un Master en ingénierie en 1920. M. Crosthwait était considéré comme une autorité en transfert de chaleur, ventilation et climatisation. Il a été ingénieur de recherche et directeur des laboratoires de recherche pour la C.A. Dunham Company à Marshalltown, Iowa, de 1925 à 1930. Il a été conseiller technique de Dunham-Bush, Inc. de 1930 à 1971. Il a servi comme ancien président du Michigan City Redevelopment. M. Crosthwait était responsable de la conception du système de chauffage du Radio City Music Hall au Rockefeller Center à New York. M. Crosthwait était l'auteur d'un manuel sur le chauffage et le refroidissement à l'eau ainsi que de guides, normes et codes traitant des systèmes de chauffage, ventilation, réfrigération et climatisation. David Crosthwait a reçu 39 brevets relatifs à la conception, l'installation, les tests et l'entretien des centrales HVAC, des systèmes de chauffage et de ventilation. Après sa retraite de l'industrie en 1969, M. Crosthwait a enseigné un cours sur la théorie du chauffage à la vapeur et les systèmes de contrôle à l'Université Purdue.

• Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong

  Musician · 1901

  Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong, musicien de jazz, est né le 4 août 1901 à La Nouvelle-Orléans.

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  J. Robert Oppenheimer

  Scientist · 1908–1967

  J. Robert Oppenheimer est considéré comme le père de la bombe atomique. Il était le directeur de l'équipe qui a conçu et construit la première bombe atomique. Oppenheimer est né en 1908 à New York. En 1925, il a obtenu son diplôme de l'Université Harvard. En 1927, Oppenheimer a obtenu son doctorat de l'Université de Göttingen en Allemagne. Deux ans plus tard, il est devenu professeur à l'Université de Californie à Berkeley et a travaillé sur la physique théorique. De 1943 à 1945, Oppenheimer a dirigé une équipe de scientifiques qui ont conçu et construit la première bombe atomique. Au cours des années suivantes, Oppenheimer a présidé le comité consultatif de la Commission de l'Énergie Atomique des États-Unis (CEA). Il a travaillé avec le Département de la Défense des États-Unis et a travaillé au niveau international pour le contrôle de l'énergie atomique. La loyauté d'Oppenheimer envers les États-Unis a été remise en question en 1953. Il s'opposait à la bombe à hydrogène et avait certains liens avec les communistes. Cela a mené à une enquête du comité de sécurité de la CEA. Il a été innocenté de tous les chefs d'accusation, mais les allégations lui ont valu de ne pas avoir accès aux informations secrètes. Oppenheimer a reçu le Prix Enrico Fermi pour ses contributions à la physique théorique. J. Robert Oppenheimer a passé les dernières années de sa vie comme directeur de l'Institut d'Études Avancées à Princeton, New Jersey. Il est décédé en 1967.

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  Louis W. Roberts

  Inventor · 1913

  Louis W. Roberts was born in Jamestown, New York, in 1913. He was educated at Fisk University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1935, and a Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 1937. Roberts served as a research assistant for Standard Oil of New Jersey from 1935 to 1936. He was a graduate assistant from 1936-37 while at the University of Michigan. He served as Instructor of Physics at St. Augustine’s College from 1937-39. Roberts was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Physics at St. Augustine’s College from 1941 to 1943 and Associate Professor of Physics at Howard University, 1943-44. Roberts holds eleven patents for electronic devices and is the author of papers on electromagnetism, optics, and microwaves. Roberts served as Director of Research for Microwave Associates from 1950 to the present. He is also the Director of Energy and Environment at the Transportation System Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 1977 to the present. The Transportation System Center, as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, develops energy conservation practices for the transportation industries. Currently, transportation accounts for over half of the United States’ consumption of petroleum. However, the Energy Conservation Policy Act requires the transportation sector to reduce fuel consumption in all types of vehicles. During Roberts’ career, he has served as chief of the Optics and Microwave Laboratory in the Electronics Research Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He founded and was president of a microwave company. His research interests focus on microwave and optical techniques and components, plasma research, solid state component and circuit development.

• Roscoe L. Koontz

  Scientist · 1922

  Roscoe L. Koontz est né à St. Louis, Missouri en 1922. Il a obtenu son diplôme de la Vashon High School à St. Louis. Son éducation universitaire au Stowes Teachers College a été interrompue par un engagement de trois ans dans l'armée américaine pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Pendant son service militaire, il a reçu une formation technique par le biais d'un programme spécial de formation pré-ingénierie de l'armée au West Virginia State College. Après son congédiement de l'armée en 1946, il est retourné à Tennessee State University et a obtenu une licence en chimie. Roscoe Koontz figurait parmi les premiers physiciens hygiénistes formellement qualifiés grâce à sa participation au premier Programme de formation en bourses d'études en physique hygiéniste de l'énergie atomique, parrainé par l'Université de Rochester en 1948. Il a conçu une caméra gamma à sténopé et un collimateur, et a participé à la conception et à la fabrication d'équipements automatiques d'échantillonnage de l'air et de l'eau ainsi que de dispositifs de mesure de l'activité de rayonnement. La physique hygiéniste est devenue une profession reconnue autour de 1942. Lorsque Koontz a fait ses débuts dans ce domaine, il y avait peu de règles, de directives et de procédures que les physiciens hygiénistes devaient suivre. Avec leurs instructeurs, les premiers étudiants, comme Koontz, ont créé de nombreuses pratiques, instruments et techniques d'aujourd'hui pour protéger les gens des dangers du rayonnement ionisant.

• Rufus Stokes

  Inventor · 1924

  Rufus Stokes est né en Alabama en 1924. Il a ensuite déménagé en Illinois, où il a travaillé comme mécanicien pour une entreprise d'incinération. En 1968, il a obtenu un brevet pour un dispositif de purification de l'air visant à réduire les émissions de gaz et de cendres des cheminées des fournaises et des centrales électriques. Le flux filtré des cheminées est devenu presque transparent. Stokes a testé et démontré plusieurs modèles de filtres de cheminée, appelés la « machine à air pur », à Chicago et ailleurs pour démontrer sa polyvalence. Le système a amélioré la santé respiratoire des personnes, mais a également réduit les risques pour la santé des plantes et des animaux. Un effet secondaire de la réduction des émissions des cheminées industrielles a été l'amélioration de l'apparence et de la durabilité des bâtiments, des voitures et des objets exposés à la pollution extérieure pendant de longues périodes.

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  Meredith C. Gourdine

  Inventor · 1929

  Meredith C. Gourdine est né à Newark, New Jersey en 1929. Il a reçu un B.S. en Physique de l'Ingénierie de l'Université Cornell en 1953 et un Ph.D. en Physique de l'Ingénierie du California Institute of Technology en 1960. Dr. Gourdine a été un pionnier dans la recherche de l'électrogasdynamique. Il était responsable de la technique d'ingénierie appelée Incineraid pour aider à l'élimination de la fumée des bâtiments. Ses travaux sur la dispersion des gaz ont développé des techniques pour disperser le brouillard des pistes d'aéroport. Dr. Gourdine a servi au sein de l'équipe technique de la Ramo-Woolridge Corporation de 1957-58. Il est devenu ensuite Chercheur Senior au Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory de 1958-60. Il a été Directeur de Laboratoire de la Plasmodyne Corporation de 1960-62 et Scientifique en Chef de la Curtiss-Wright Corporation de 1962 à 1964. Dr. Gourdine a établi un laboratoire de recherche, Gourdine Laboratories, à Livingston, New Jersey, avec un personnel de plus de 150 personnes. Dr. Gourdine s'est vu délivrer plusieurs brevets sur les produits gasdynamiques résultant de ses travaux. Il a reçu le brevet #5,548,907 pour une méthode et un appareil de transfert de chaleur, de masse et de quantité de mouvement entre un fluide et une surface. Dr. Gourdine a servi comme président d'Energy Innovation, Inc. à Houston, Texas.

• Neil Alden Armstrong

  Explorer · 1930

  Neil Alden Armstrong est né le 5 août 1930. Le 20 juillet 1969, Neil Armstrong est devenu le premier être humain à poser le pied sur la Lune.

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  George Edward Alcorn Jr.

  Scientist · 1940

  George Edward Alcorn Jr. est né en 1940. Il a reçu une bourse d'études académiques de quatre ans au Occidental College de Los Angeles, où il a obtenu un Bachelor of Science en Physique. Il a obtenu son diplôme avec distinction tout en remportant huit lettres en basket-ball et en football. George Alcorn a obtenu un Master of Science en Physique nucléaire en 1963 de l'Université Howard, après neuf mois d'études. Au cours des étés 1962 et 1963, George Alcorn a travaillé comme ingénieur de recherche pour la Space Division de North America Rockwell. Il a participé à l'analyse informatique des trajectoires de lancement et de la mécanique orbitale pour les missiles Rockwell, y compris les Titan I et II, Saturn IV et le Nova. En 1967, George Alcorn a obtenu un Ph.D. en Physique atomique et moléculaire de l'Université Howard. Entre 1965 et 1967, Alcorn a mené des recherches sur la formation d'ions négatifs dans le cadre d'une subvention parrainée par la NASA. Le Dr Alcorn détient huit brevets aux États-Unis et en Europe sur la technologie des semi-conducteurs, dont l'un est une méthode de fabrication d'un spectromètre à rayons X d'imagerie. Son domaine de recherche comprend : l'adaptation des spectromètres de masse à ionisation chimique pour la détection des acides aminés et le développement d'autres méthodes expérimentales pour la détection de la vie planétaire ; la recherche classifiée impliquant la rentrée de missiles et la défense anti-missile ; la conception et la construction d'instruments spatiaux, de capteurs de contaminants atmosphériques, de spectromètres de masse magnétique, d'analyseurs de masse ; et le développement de nouveaux concepts de conception d'aimants et l'invention d'un nouveau type de spectromètre à rayons X.