A German composer born in the 1700s, Ludwig van Beethoven has given the world some of the most well-known and long-lasting music of all time. From his Fr Elise to his 9th Symphony (in which a choir sings words from the poem Ode to Joy), Beethovens music is still loved, almost 200 years after his death. Amazingly, Beethoven composed music while being unable to hear almost anything from the time he was 26, a feat which makes his brilliant compositions all the more wonderful. Few musicians have had the incredible impact on music that Beethoven had. Learn the story of one of the most important musical composers of all time in Ludwig van Beethoven: Great Composer.
As a child, Albert Einstein was quiet and awkward. He had trouble making friends and problems with learning in the classroom. As Albert grew up, he began to use his mind in ways he didnt learn in school, leading him to become an expert in math and science. Einsteins ideas helped change the way scientists thought of the world around us and change the course of history in the atomic age. Today, Einstein is one of historys most famous scientists, and his theories have shaped science for decades. Learn about one of the most important scientists of all time in Albert Einstein: Great Scientist.
At the age of 29, a man named Siddhartha left his home near the Himalayan Mountains. Born to a noble family, Siddhartha wanted to leave his luxurious life to better understand suffering and pain. After six years of prayer and fasting, Siddhartha found enlightenment by letting go of the desires that cause pain. Siddhartha became Buddha, and began teaching his ideas to any who would listen. Today, Buddhism is one of the worlds largest religions, with followers around the globe. Learn the story of one of the most influential spiritual leaders of all time in Buddha: Father of Buddhism.
Captain James Cook is one of the most famous explorers of all time. His discoveries include parts of Australia, islands in the Pacific, and parts of the Hawaiian Islands. Cook sailed to distant places from Antarctica to New Zealand, making maps and collecting information as he travelled. Today, we remember Captain Cook for his major discoveries and his leadership of his crew. Learn the story of one of the most important explorers in history in Captain James Cook: British Explorer.
Charles Darwins On the Origin of Species changed the way we understand the beginnings of life on earth. Darwins ideas challenged people to think differently, to question long-held beliefs, and to explore a new field of scientific discovery. As a young man, Darwin worked to join the priesthood, but his life took a turn toward science after he joined a government mission to South America and the Pacific. Darwins work on the trip pushed him to come up with new ideas about life and nature, including his famous theory of evolution. Learn the story of one of the most important scientific thinkers of all time in Charles Darwin: British Naturalist.
Confucius was a teacher and philosopher living in fifth-century China. His ideas about the ways people should behave and treat each other are still part of Chinese culture and education, with Chinese students studying his ideas almost 2,500 years after his death. In the modern world, few philosophers are as well known or as often quoted as Confucius. Learn the story of one of the most important philosophers of all time in Confucius: Great Chinese Philosopher.
In 1937, a group of Tibetan monks searched for a young boy who was the reborn soul of the Dalai Lama, their nations spiritual and political leader. After the monks found the boy living in a small cottage, he moved to a mountain palace and became the fourteenth Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama lived as a monk, meditating and praying, advocating love and peace. After China tried to invade Tibet, the Dalai Lama had to escape his homeland and go to India, where he would spend many years working to free Tibet from Chinese control. Learn the story of one of the worlds most important spiritual leaders and peace activists in Dalai Lama: Spiritual Leader of Tibet.
