Gente y Sociedad de Estados Unidos de América

Nacionalidad

sustantivo: estadounidense(s) adjetivo: estadounidense

Grupos Étnicos

Blanco 61.6%, Negro o Afroamericano 12.4%, Asiático 6%, Indígena y Nativo de Alaska 1.1%, Nativo de Hawái y de otras Islas del Pacífico 0.2%, otro 8.4%, dos o más razas 10.2%

Población

310,232,863

Población (Hombre / Mujer)

hombres: 168,598,780 mujeres: 173,364,628

Distribución de la Población

grandes concentraciones urbanas están distribuidas a lo largo de la mitad oriental de los Estados Unidos (particularmente el área de los Grandes Lagos, noreste, este y sureste) y los estados del nivel occidental; las áreas montañosas, principalmente las Montañas Rocosas y la cadena de los Apalaches, los desiertos en el suroeste, los densos bosques boreales en el extremo norte y los estados centrales de pradera están menos densamente poblados; la población de Alaska está concentrada a lo largo de su costa sur - con particular énfasis en la ciudad de Anchorage - y la de Hawái está centrada en la isla de Oahu

Población Urbana

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

Población en Áreas Urbanas Principales

18,937 millones Nueva York-Newark, 12,534 millones Los Ángeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, 8,937 millones Chicago, 6,707 millones Houston, 6,574 millones Dallas-Fort Worth, 5,490 millones WASHINGTON, D.C. (capital)

Estructura de Edades

0-14 años: 18.1% (hombres 31,618,532/mujeres 30,254,223) 15-64 años: 63.4% (hombres 108,553,822/mujeres 108,182,491) 65 años y más: 18.5% (est. 2024) (hombres 28,426,426/mujeres 34,927,914)

Edad Mediana

total: 38,9 años masculino: 37,8 años femenino: 40 años

Esperanza de Vida al Nacer

población total: 80.9 años hombres: 78.7 años mujeres: 83.1 años

Tasa de Mortalidad Infantil

total: 5.1 muertes/1.000 nacidos vivos hombres: 5.4 muertes/1.000 nacidos vivos mujeres: 4.7 muertes/1.000 nacidos vivos

Acceso a Servicios Sanitarios

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

Consumo de Tabaco

total: 23% hombres: 28.4% mujeres: 17.5%

Consumo de Alcohol

total: 8.93 litros de alcohol puro cerveza: 3.97 litros de alcohol puro vino: 1.67 litros de alcohol puro licores: 3.29 litros de alcohol puro otros alcoholes: 0 litros de alcohol puro

Definición de Alfabetismo

Mayores de 15 años que saben leer y escribir

Esperanza de Vida Escolar Total

total: 16 años hombres: 16 años mujeres: 17 años

Aula

Debido a que las escuelas son financiadas a nivel estatal y local, la calidad de las estructuras y los recursos del aula pueden variar significativamente. La mayoría de las escuelas intentan mantener el tamaño de sus clases en 20 estudiantes o menos, pero ocasionalmente los recursos requieren matrículas de clases más grandes. Debido a que los estudiantes están en la escuela un promedio de siete a ocho horas por día (dependiendo de las directrices locales), usualmente comerán el almuerzo durante las horas escolares. Pueden traer un almuerzo de casa, o comprar el almuerzo en la escuela por un costo muy razonable (aproximadamente 2.00 dólares estadounidenses). Las directrices dietéticas para los almuerzos disponibles en la escuela son establecidas por el gobierno nacional (administrado por el Departamento de Agricultura), pero las escuelas locales deciden qué alimentos servir para cumplir con esas directrices. Un almuerzo típico podría consistir en una hamburguesa o porción de pizza, una bebida, fruta y una galleta. Para las familias de bajos ingresos, los almuerzos son gratuitos o de precio reducido. En el año escolar 2004-2005, seis de cada diez estudiantes en los Estados Unidos recibieron un almuerzo gratuito o de precio reducido.

Educación y Cultura

Los Estados Unidos no tienen un sistema escolar nacional; sin embargo, existen programas de apoyo federal y directrices educativas, además de directrices estatales y locales. Entre el 85 y el 90% de los niños menores de 18 años asisten a escuelas públicas. Aunque el límite de edad varía según el estado, todos los niños en los Estados Unidos tienen el derecho de recibir al menos 11 años de educación financiada con fondos públicos. Estas escuelas públicas son financiadas por impuestos locales y estatales y están bajo esas jurisdicciones. Un segmento bastante pequeño de la educación pública consiste en escuelas charter, que son escuelas públicas que son entregadas a una comunidad local o grupo de padres para operar. De aquellos niños que no asisten a escuelas públicas, la mayoría se inscribe en escuelas privadas, que deben ser pagadas por las familias de los estudiantes. El 80% de las escuelas privadas en los Estados Unidos son operadas por grupos religiosos. Una tercera opción educativa aprovechada por solo un pequeño porcentaje es la escuela en casa, lo que significa que los padres enseñan a los niños ellos mismos en casa. El número de niños educados en casa superó el millón por primera vez en 2003. El jardín de infantes generalmente está disponible por un año antes de la entrada a la escuela primaria, que comienza a los seis años de edad. Los sistemas escolares generalmente incluyen los grados uno al seis en la escuela primaria, siete al ocho o nueve en la escuela secundaria básica (a veces llamada escuela intermedia), y los grados nueve o diez al doce en la escuela secundaria superior. En comunidades rurales más pequeñas, no es inusual que la escuela primaria incluya los grados uno al ocho, con la escuela secundaria superior cubriendo los grados restantes hasta el doce. Con la afluencia de personas que no hablan inglés durante los últimos 20 años, los modelos educativos tradicionales se han ampliado para incluir contenido y métodos de muchas de las principales subculturas de los Estados Unidos. Como la mayoría de las naciones industrializadas, aproximadamente un tercio de los adultos jóvenes que ingresan a la fuerza laboral tienen educación universitaria. Cada vez más, se requiere una educación universitaria para obtener un trabajo que sustente el nivel de vida al que muchas familias se han acostumbrado.

Aprendizaje

Los niños están en la escuela un promedio de siete a ocho horas por día (dependiendo de las regulaciones estatales y locales), de lunes a viernes, durante aproximadamente 180 días por año. La mayoría de las escuelas tienen un receso largo de aproximadamente dos meses y medio durante la temporada de verano, que es mucho más largo que en muchas otras naciones. Los uniformes escolares no son requeridos en la mayoría de las escuelas públicas de los Estados Unidos (el 3% tenía uniformes en 1997, mientras que algunos estudios afirmaban que hasta el 21% en 2000). Sin embargo, generalmente existe algún tipo de código de vestimenta que prohíbe ropa que exponga demasiada piel o ropa interior, esté relacionada con pandillas, o simplemente no sea segura. En las escuelas privadas, los uniformes son bastante comunes, consistiendo en camisas con cuello de colores específicos con pantalones o faldas también de colores específicos. Algunas escuelas privadas prefieren un uniforme más formal de blazer y corbata para los niños y pantalones cortos tipo falda o faldas para las niñas. Aunque el plan de estudios escolar cambia de estado a estado, casi todas las escuelas primarias enseñarán matemáticas, artes del lenguaje (como lectura y escritura), ciencias, estudios sociales (incluyendo historia y geografía), y educación física. La mayoría de las escuelas hoy en día también enseñarán habilidades básicas de computación, lo cual se está convirtiendo en una parte crítica de la educación en todos los campos de estudio y habilidades generales para la vida. Las escuelas secundarias enseñarán aspectos cada vez más enfocados de estas áreas temáticas generales y a menudo incluyen cursos electivos adicionales como teatro, música coral e instrumental, habilidades para la vida (como cocina o finanzas personales), idiomas extranjeros, atletismo, publicación, y habilidades técnicas (como mecánica automotriz, soldadura, o carpintería). La mayoría de los estados asignan calificaciones de desempeño usando una serie de letras: tradicionalmente A significaba excepcional; B, por encima del promedio; C, promedio; D, por debajo del promedio; y F era una calificación reprobatoria que requería la repetición del curso hasta obtener el dominio. Sin embargo, la inflación de calificaciones se ha convertido en una práctica tan común que hoy en día una B es más típica del desempeño promedio, y una C es trabajo aprobatorio pero deficiente.

A la Escuela

Algunos niños van en bicicleta a la escuela o caminan, algunos van en autobuses proporcionados por la escuela, otros aprovechan los sistemas de transporte público disponibles en muchas áreas metropolitanas, y otros más van en un vehículo compartido o con uno de los padres. El método de transporte a menudo depende de si la escuela está en un entorno urbano o rural, la época del año y el nivel económico de los padres.

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

Inglés 82.1%, español 10.7%, otros indoeuropeos 3.8%, asiáticos y de las islas del Pacífico 2.7%, otros 0.7% Nota: Estados Unidos no tiene un idioma oficial nacional, pero el inglés ha adquirido estatus oficial en 28 de los 50 estados; el hawaiano es idioma oficial en el estado de Hawái

Solamente inglés 78.2%, español 13.4%, chino 1.1%, otros 7.3%

• English

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  John Adams

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Líder Gubernamental

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de los Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de los Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  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

  El Senador por Illinois hizo historia el 4 de noviembre cuando ganó la elección presidencial. Es el primer afroamericano en ganar la carrera por la Casa Blanca. El carisma, la inteligencia y los discursos poderosos de Obama lo han hecho extremadamente popular entre muchos estadounidenses. Ha tenido mucho éxito con su mensaje de cambio. Obama nació en Hawái en 1961 de un padre keniano afrodescendiente y una madre estadounidense blanca. Sus padres se divorciaron y su madre se casó con un hombre indonesio. La familia de Barack se mudó a Indonesia en 1967. Asistió a escuelas en Yakarta hasta los diez años, cuando regresó a Hawái. Obama se especializó en ciencia política y relaciones internacionales en la Universidad de Columbia en Nueva York. Después de cuatro años en Nueva York, Obama se mudó a Chicago. Allí, trabajó como director de un proyecto comunitario de 1985 a 1988. Ingresó a la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard y se convirtió en el primer presidente afroamericano de la Revista de Derecho de Harvard. Obama enseñó derecho en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Chicago durante doce años. Se convirtió en Senador de Illinois en 1996. Obama fue elegido para el Senado de Estados Unidos en 2004. Se convirtió en el quinto Senador afroamericano en la historia de Estados Unidos. Apoyó la legislación sobre conservación, energía, inmigración y liderazgo honesto. En noviembre de 2008, derrotó a John McCain para convertirse en el 44.º Presidente de Estados Unidos en una batalla de campaña muy reñida. .

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  James E. Carter

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  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

  Presidente de EE.UU.

  43 º Presidente de Estados Unidos de América de 2001 a 2009 George W. Bush nació el 6 de julio de 1946 en New Haven, Connecticut. Su padre fue George Herbert Walker Bush, el 41º presidente de la nación. Mientras crecía, a George le gustaba ser el hijo mayor de la familia. Tenía tres hermanos y una hermana. Se graduó de Yale en 1968. En ese momento, la nación estaba profundamente involucrada en la Guerra de Vietnam. George se unió a la Guardia Nacional de Texas y aprendió a pilotar una aeronave de combate. Después de asistir a la Escuela de Negocios de Harvard, Bush regresó a Texas en 1975 para crear una empresa de perforación de petróleo en Midland. En 1977, Bush se casó con Laura Welch, una bibliotecaria de escuela de Midland. Son padres de gemelas, Barbara y Jenna. Después de la victoria electoral de su padre en 1988, Bush y su familia se establecieron en Dallas. Bush pronto intentó un nuevo negocio: el béisbol. Organizó un grupo de inversores para llevar a los Guardianes de Texas de la Liga Americana a Dallas. En 1993, Bush anunció su intención de convertirse en gobernador de Texas. Con una victoria sorprendente, Bush se convirtió en el primer hijo de un presidente en ser elegido gobernador de un estado. Bush fue reelegido en 1998. Las personas decían que debería pensar en una candidatura presidencial. Bush avanzó rápidamente hacia la nominación republicana. Como candidato presidencial, prometió más ayuda a las escuelas y visitó más de 100 aulas. George W. perdió el voto popular, pero ganó el Colegio Electoral. Su victoria sobre Al Gore tuvo un gran significado para los Republicanos. Permitió al partido recuperar la Casa Blanca después de 8 años de gobierno Demócrata.

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  Barack H. Obama

  Presidente de Estados Unidos

  Barack H. Obama es el 44.º Presidente de los Estados Unidos. Con un padre de Kenia y una madre de Kansas, el Presidente Obama nació en Hawái el 4 de agosto de 1961. Fue criado con la ayuda de su abuelo, quien sirvió en el ejército de Patton, y su abuela, quien ascendió desde el departamento de secretarias hasta la dirección media de un banco. Después de trabajar para pagarse la universidad con la ayuda de becas y préstamos estudiantiles, el Presidente Obama se mudó a Chicago, donde trabajó con un grupo de iglesias para ayudar a reconstruir las comunidades devastadas por el cierre de las plantas siderúrgicas locales. Luego asistió a la facultad de derecho, donde se convirtió en el primer presidente afroamericano de la Harvard Law Review . Tras su graduación, regresó a Chicago para ayudar a liderar una campaña de registro de votantes, enseñó derecho constitucional en la Universidad de Chicago y se mantuvo activo en su comunidad. Los años de servicio público del Presidente Obama se basan en su inquebrantable creencia en la capacidad de unir a las personas en torno a una política de propósito. En el Senado del Estado de Illinois, aprobó la primera reforma ética importante en 25 años, redujo impuestos para familias trabajadoras y amplió la cobertura de salud para niños y sus padres. Como Senador de los Estados Unidos, trabajó de manera colaborativa para aprobar una reforma de cabildeo revolucionaria, asegurar las armas más peligrosas del mundo y llevar transparencia al gobierno publicando el gasto federal en línea. Fue elegido 44.º Presidente de los Estados Unidos el 4 de noviembre de 2008 y prestó juramento el 20 de enero de 2009.

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  Benjamin Franklin

  Statesman · 1706–1790

  Benjamin Franklin fue un diplomático, político, impresor y científico. Inventó los lentes bifocales, la estufa Franklin, y experimentó con la electricidad. Franklin nació en 1706 en Boston, Massachusetts. Mostró su inteligencia e interés desde temprana edad en la lectura y la escritura. A los diez años, sin embargo, fue sacado de la escuela para aprender el oficio de su padre de fabricación de velas. El joven Benjamin odiaba este trabajo y dos años después se convirtió en aprendiz en la imprenta de su hermano James. Después de cinco años, Franklin dejó la imprenta de su hermano y se fue a Nueva York. No había trabajo en Nueva York, así que se mudó a Filadelfia. Filadelfia era una ciudad mucho más grande en ese momento. Franklin tuvo mucho éxito como impresor. La riqueza le dio tiempo para trabajar en sus inventos e intereses. Franklin reconoció que las chimeneas comunes eran ineficientes. Diseñó la estufa Franklin para usar mejor el calor. Su estufa absorbía aire frío, calentaba el aire y luego circulaba el aire caliente. Estas estufas se volvieron muy populares en América y Europa. La electricidad había sido descubierta recientemente en Europa. Franklin se interesó extremadamente en ella y pasó seis años intentando generar electricidad. Franklin comenzó a enfocarse en el rayo y la idea de que era causado por cargas eléctricas. Franklin sugirió el uso de pararrayos para redirigir la electricidad lejos de los edificios para evitar que se quemen. Al atar una llave de hierro a una cuerda de cometa durante una tormenta, fue capaz de identificar la carga eléctrica como siendo la misma que en una Botella de Leyden. Esto probó que el rayo era electricidad. Benjamin Franklin pasó la parte posterior de su vida persiguiendo sus intereses y trabajando por las colonias y la creación de los Estados Unidos. Franklin murió en 1790 en el país que ayudó a formar y mejorar

• Alexander Hamilton

  Líder Gubernamental · 1755

  Alexander Hamilton, patriota, primer secretario del Tesoro de Estados Unidos. Nacido en Nevis, Indias Occidentales Británicas el 11 de enero de 1755.

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  Edwin Laurentine Drake

  Entrepreneur · 1819

  Edwin Laurentine Drake nació en 1819 en Greenville, Nueva York. Drake es considerado el empresario petrolero de la industria petrolera. Un antiguo conductor ferroviario, su éxito se basó en su creencia de que la perforación era la mejor manera de obtener petróleo de la tierra. Organizó la Seneca Oil Co., arrendó terrenos y el 27 de agosto de 1859, encontró petróleo a una profundidad de 69 pies cerca de Titusville, Pensilvania. La mayoría de los historiadores rastrean el inicio de la industria petrolera a gran escala hasta esta primera empresa. Drake utilizó una vieja máquina de vapor para impulsar la perforadora. Después de que su pozo comenzó a producir petróleo, otros prospectores perforaron pozos cerca. El petróleo creó riquezas para muchas personas y para muchos países, pero no para Drake. Su falta de sentido empresarial eventualmente lo empobreció. En 1876, el estado de Pensilvania le otorgó una pensión vitalicia, donde permaneció hasta su muerte en Bethlehem, Pensilvania. Una industria que trajo grandes riquezas a tantos, finalmente lo honró trayendo su cuerpo de regreso a Titusville e internándolo en una tumba magnífica repleta de escultura de bronce simbólica. La industria petrolera honra su lugar de nacimiento con un museo y un parque conmemorativo en el sitio donde Drake encontró petróleo en su pozo pionero.

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  Thomas A. Edison

  Inventor · 1847–1931

  Thomas Alva Edison nació en 1847 en Milan, Ohio. El joven Tom no le fue muy bien en la escuela, así que su madre decidió enseñarle en casa. Le dio muchos libros para leer. Tom era un niño curioso. Siempre quería saber cómo funcionaban las cosas. Le gustaba ver si podía hacer que funcionaran mejor. Su madre le permitió establecer un laboratorio en la casa donde podía experimentar con las cosas. Siendo un joven hombre, Tom estableció su propio laboratorio, donde podía probar sus ideas. Inventó muchas cosas en su laboratorio. ¿Adivina cuál fue su invento favorito? Fue el fonógrafo. Antes del fonógrafo, si querías escuchar música, tenías que tocarla tú mismo o ir a un concierto. El invento más famoso de Edison fue la bombilla. En ese momento, las personas usaban lámparas de gas o aceite para iluminar sus hogares. Edison sabía que sería más barato y fácil usar electricidad. El problema era que nadie sabía cómo hacerlo. Edison trabajó en su idea durante mucho tiempo. Probó muchas cosas que no funcionaron. Pero no se dio por vencido. Siguió intentando hasta que un día ¡funcionó! Hoy, puedes encender un interruptor y tener luz cuando la quieras. Edison también construyó la primera central eléctrica. La Estación Generadora de Pearl Street de Edison se abrió en 1882 en Nueva York. Enviaba electricidad a 85 clientes y generaba suficiente energía para iluminar 5,000 lámparas. Edison también inventó la cámara de cine. Cuando vas al cine o ves televisión, puedes agradecerle por sus ideas y su arduo trabajo. Muchas de las máquinas eléctricas que ves en casa o en la escuela provinieron de sus ideas. Inventar cosas era lo que Edison más disfrutaba. Pensaba en cómo funcionaban las cosas. Luego pensaba en cómo podía hacerlo mejor. Eso se llama inspiración. La parte difícil vino después. Edison tenía que hacer que sus ideas funcionaran. Probó todo tipo de cosas hasta que encontró exactamente lo que funcionaría. Llamó a eso transpiración. Dijo que la invención era "uno por ciento inspiración

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  Lewis Latimer

  Inventor · 1848

  Lewis Howard Latimer nació en 1848 en Chelsea, Massachusetts. Siendo joven, Latimer aprendió dibujo mecánico mientras trabajaba en la oficina de patentes de Boston. En 1880, fue contratado por Hiram Maxim de la Compañía de Iluminación Eléctrica de Estados Unidos para ayudar a desarrollar una lámpara eléctrica comercialmente viable. En 1882, Latimer inventó un dispositivo para fabricar eficientemente los filamentos de carbón utilizados en lámparas eléctricas y compartió una patente por la "lámpara eléctrica Maxim". También patentó un casquillo de madera roscado para focos e supervisó la instalación de alumbrado eléctrico en las calles de Nueva York, Filadelfia, Montreal y Londres. En 1884, Latimer se convirtió en ingeniero en la Compañía de Iluminación Eléctrica Edison, donde tuvo la distinción de ser el único miembro afroamericano de los "Pioneros de Edison" - el equipo de inventores de Thomas Edison. Mientras trabajaba para Edison, Latimer escribió Incandescent Electric Lighting (Iluminación Eléctrica Incandescente), el primer manual de ingeniería sobre sistemas de iluminación. Aunque los focos incandescentes actuales utilizan filamentos hechos de tungsteno en lugar de carbón, el trabajo de Latimer ayudó a hacer posible el uso generalizado de luces eléctricas.

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  Granville Woods

  Inventor · 1856

  Nacido en Columbus, Ohio en 1856, Granville Woods literalmente aprendió sus habilidades en el trabajo. Asistiendo a la escuela en Columbus hasta los 10 años, realizó un aprendizaje en un taller de máquinas y aprendió los oficios de maquinista y herrador. Durante su juventud también asistió a clases nocturnas y tomó lecciones privadas. Aunque tuvo que dejar la escuela formal a los diez años, Granville Woods se dio cuenta de que el aprendizaje y la educación eran esenciales para desarrollar las habilidades críticas que le permitirían expresar su creatividad con la maquinaria. En 1872, obtuvo un trabajo como fogonero en el ferrocarril Danville and Southern en Misuri, eventualmente convirtiéndose en ingeniero. Invirtió su tiempo libre en estudiar electrónica. En 1874, Woods se mudó a Springfield, Illinois, y trabajó en un molino de laminación. En 1878, consiguió un trabajo a bordo del Ironsides, un barco de vapor británico, y, en el plazo de dos años, se convirtió en Ingeniero Jefe del barco de vapor. Finalmente, sus viajes y experiencias lo llevaron a establecerse en Cincinnati, Ohio, donde se convirtió en la persona más responsable de modernizar el ferrocarril. En 1888, Woods desarrolló un sistema de líneas de conducción eléctrica aérea para ferrocarriles, que ayudó en el desarrollo del sistema de ferrocarril aéreo que se encuentra en ciudades como Chicago, St. Louis y Nueva York. En sus primeros treinta años, se interesó en la energía térmica y los motores impulsados por vapor. Y, en 1889, presentó su primera patente para un horno de caldera de vapor mejorado. En 1892, un Sistema Ferroviario Eléctrico completo fue operado en Coney Island, NY. En 1887, patentó el Telégrafo Ferroviario Multiplex Sincrónico, que permitía comunicaciones entre estaciones de tren desde trenes en movimiento. La invención de Woods hizo posible que los trenes se comunicaran con la estación y con otros trenes para saber exactamente dónde se encontraban en todo momento. Este invento hizo que los movimientos de trenes fueran más rápidos y previno innumerables accidentes y colisiones.

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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

  A menudo se piensa incorrectamente que Henry Ford fue el inventor del automóvil. (Ese mérito le corresponde a Karl Benz de Alemania.) Henry Ford fue un hombre innovador que revolucionó la industria automotriz. Ford nació el 30 de julio de 1863 en Dearborn, Míchigan. De niño trabajó en la granja familiar. En su tiempo libre, experimentaba en el taller de máquinas de la granja. A los 17 años, Ford dejó la granja familiar y se mudó a Detroit, donde continuó su trabajo en talleres de máquinas, específicamente con motores de vapor. En 1882 Henry Ford se convirtió en maquinista certificado y fue contratado por la Compañía Westinghouse para instalar y reparar motores de vapor. En 1891 Ford diseñó un pequeño motor que funcionaba con gasolina. Thomas Edison luego le ofreció a Henry Ford un trabajo y Ford se convirtió en ingeniero jefe de la Compañía Edison Illuminating. Tres años después, Ford construyó un automóvil impulsado por gasolina conocido como el "carruaje sin caballos". Renunció a su trabajo con Edison para perseguir sus intereses en automóviles. Durante los siguientes años, Henry Ford continuó desarrollando sus diseños de automóviles, incluyendo el Model A y el Model T. Aumentó tanto la velocidad como la eficiencia de combustible. La eficiencia fue una característica distintiva de Ford. Desarrolló la línea de ensamblaje para ayudar a producir automóviles de forma rápida y económica. El objetivo de Ford era poner los automóviles al alcance de los estadounidenses promedio. Durante la Primera Guerra Mundial y la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la planta Ford se utilizó en el esfuerzo de guerra para fabricar equipos. Durante la última parte de la vida de Henry Ford, se desempeñó como presidente de la Fundación Ford, una organización benéfica. Henry Ford murió el 7 de abril de 1947.

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  Robert Goddard

  Scientist · 1882

  Se le da crédito a Robert Goddard por ser uno de los padres de la cohetería moderna. Aunque no fue reconocido durante su vida, ahora es reconocido como un científico moderno significativo. Robert Goddard nació el 5 de octubre de 1882 en Worcester, Massachusetts. De niño mostró interés y habilidad en la ciencia. Experimentó con electricidad. Se fascinó con los fuegos artificiales, el comienzo de su interés en los cohetes. Goddard asistió a la escuela pública en Boston y Worcester. Asistió al Instituto Politécnico de Worcester, una escuela de ingeniería práctica. Regularmente escribía nuevas ideas e invenciones en su diario. Después de obtener su título, enseñó en el instituto y posteriormente en la Universidad de Clark. En 1920, Goddard escribió un artículo describiendo el envío de un cohete no tripulado a la luna. Fue ridiculizado por la prensa por esta idea. Charles Lindbergh se interesó y comenzó a financiar el trabajo de Goddard. Goddard trasladó su operación a Nuevo México. Durante este tiempo, trabajó con sistemas de paracaídas, aletas estabilizadoras y giroscopios. Aunque su trabajo no fue muy conocido en Estados Unidos, el trabajo de Goddard fue tomado muy en serio en Alemania. Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los alemanes desarrollaron aún más las teorías de Goddard. Goddard era un americano leal y trabajó con el ejército estadounidense para crear y construir el lanzacohetes, un arma antitanque. Trabajó con la Marina de Estados Unidos para desarrollar dispositivos de despegue a reacción. Goddard murió el 10 de agosto de 1945. Después de su muerte, la Oficina de Patentes de Estados Unidos reconoció a Goddard por 214 patentes relacionadas con diseños de cohetes. Los cohetes de hoy en día se basan en los diseños y teorías 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 nació en Nashville, Tennessee, en 1898. Recibió una Licenciatura en Ciencias de la Universidad Purdue (1913) y una Maestría en Ingeniería en 1920. El Sr. Crosthwait fue considerado una autoridad en transferencia de calor, ventilación y acondicionamiento de aire. Fue Ingeniero de Investigación, Director de Laboratorios de Investigación de C.A. Dunham Company en Marshalltown, Iowa, de 1925 a 1930. Fue Asesor Técnico de Dunham-Bush, Inc. de 1930 a 1971. Fungió como expresidente del Redevelopment de Michigan City. El Sr. Crosthwait fue responsable de diseñar el sistema de calefacción para Radio City Music Hall en el Rockefeller Center en la Ciudad de Nueva York. El Sr. Crosthwait fue autor de un manual sobre calefacción y enfriamiento con agua y guías, estándares y códigos que trataban sistemas de calefacción, ventilación, refrigeración y acondicionamiento de aire. David Crosthwait recibió 39 patentes relacionadas con el diseño, instalación, prueba y servicio de plantas de energía HVAC, sistemas de calefacción y ventilación. Después de retirarse de la industria en 1969, el Sr. Crosthwait impartió un curso sobre teoría de calefacción por vapor y sistemas de control en la Universidad Purdue.

• Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong

  Musician · 1901

  Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong, músico de jazz, nació el 4 de agosto de 1901 en Nueva Orleans.

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  J. Robert Oppenheimer

  Scientist · 1908–1967

  J. Robert Oppenheimer es considerado el padre de la bomba atómica. Fue director del equipo que diseñó y construyó la primera bomba atómica. Oppenheimer nació en 1908 en Nueva York. En 1925 se graduó de la Universidad de Harvard. En 1927 Oppenheimer obtuvo su doctorado de la Universidad de Gotinga en Alemania. Dos años después se convirtió en profesor de la Universidad de California en Berkeley y trabajó en física teórica. De 1943 a 1945, Oppenheimer lideró un equipo de científicos que diseñaron y construyeron la primera bomba atómica. Durante varios años posteriores, Oppenheimer encabezó el comité asesor de la Comisión de Energía Atómica de Estados Unidos (AEC). Trabajó con el Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos y trabajó internacionalmente por el control de la energía atómica. La lealtad de Oppenheimer hacia Estados Unidos fue cuestionada en 1953. Se oponía a la bomba de hidrógeno y tenía algunas conexiones con comunistas. Esto llevó a una investigación por parte del panel de seguridad de la AEC. Fue exonerado de todos los cargos, pero las acusaciones hicieron que se le negara acceso adicional a información confidencial. Oppenheimer recibió el Premio Enrico Fermi por sus contribuciones a la física teórica. J. Robert Oppenheimer pasó los últimos años de su vida como director del Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Princeton, Nueva Jersey. Murió 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 nació en St. Louis, Missouri en 1922. Se graduó de la Vashon High School en St. Louis. Su educación universitaria en Stowes Teachers College fue interrumpida por un periodo de tres años sirviendo en el Ejército de los Estados Unidos durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Mientras estuvo en el ejército, recibió entrenamiento técnico a través de un programa especial de entrenamiento pre-ingeniería del ejército en la West Virginia State College. Al ser dado de baja del ejército en 1946, regresó a Tennessee State University y se graduó con una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Química. Roscoe Koontz estuvo entre los primeros físicos de salud formalmente entrenados a través de su participación en el primer Programa de Entrenamiento de Beca en Física de la Salud de Energía Atómica, patrocinado por la Universidad de Rochester en 1948. Diseñó una cámara de rayos gamma de agujero de alfiler y colimador y ayudó a diseñar y fabricar equipos automáticos de muestreo de aire y agua y dispositivos de medición de actividad de radiación. La física de la salud se convirtió en una profesión reconocida alrededor de 1942. Cuando Koontz entró en el campo, había pocas reglas, directrices y procedimientos para que los físicos de la salud siguieran. Junto con sus instructores, los primeros estudiantes, como Koontz, originaron muchas de las prácticas, instrumentación y técnicas de hoy para proteger a las personas de los peligros de la radiación ionizante.

• Rufus Stokes

  Inventor · 1924

  Rufus Stokes nació en Alabama en 1924. Posteriormente se mudó a Illinois, donde trabajó como maquinista en una compañía incineradora. En 1968, le fue otorgada una patente por un dispositivo de purificación de aire para reducir las emisiones de gas y ceniza de las chimeneas de hornos y plantas de energía. El resultado filtrado de las chimeneas se volvió casi transparente. Stokes probó y demostró varios modelos de filtros de chimenea, denominados la "máquina de aire limpio", en Chicago y en otros lugares para demostrar su versatilidad. El sistema benefició la salud respiratoria de las personas, pero también redujo los riesgos de salud para plantas y animales. Un efecto secundario de la reducción de emisiones de chimeneas industriales fue la mejora en la apariencia y durabilidad de edificios, autos y objetos expuestos a la contaminación ambiental durante períodos prolongados.

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  Meredith C. Gourdine

  Inventor · 1929

  Meredith C. Gourdine nació en Newark, Nueva Jersey en 1929. Recibió una Licenciatura en Física de la Ingeniería de la Universidad de Cornell en 1953 y un Doctorado en Física de la Ingeniería del Instituto de Tecnología de California en 1960. El Dr. Gourdine fue pionero en la investigación de la electrogasdinámica. Fue responsable de la técnica de ingeniería denominada Incineraid para ayudar en la eliminación del humo de los edificios. Su trabajo sobre dispersión de gases desarrolló técnicas para dispersar niebla de las pistas de los aeropuertos. El Dr. Gourdine sirvió en el equipo técnico de la Corporación Ramo-Woolridge de 1957-58. Luego se convirtió en Científico Investigador Senior en el Laboratorio de Propulsión a Chorro de Caltech de 1958-60. Se convirtió en Director de Laboratorio de la Corporación Plasmodyne de 1960-62 y Científico Jefe de la Corporación Curtiss-Wright de 1962 a 1964. El Dr. Gourdine estableció un laboratorio de investigación, Gourdine Laboratories, en Livingston, Nueva Jersey, con un equipo de más de 150 personas. El Dr. Gourdine ha recibido varios patentes sobre productos gasdinámica como resultado de su trabajo. Recibió la patente #5,548,907 por un método y aparato para transferir calor, masa y momento entre un fluido y una superficie. El Dr. Gourdine se desempeñó como presidente de Energy Innovation, Inc. de Houston, Tejas.

• Neil Alden Armstrong

  Explorer · 1930

  Neil Alden Armstrong nació el 5 de agosto de 1930. El 20 de julio de 1969, Neil Armstrong se convirtió en el primer ser humano en pisar la luna.

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  George Edward Alcorn Jr.

  Scientist · 1940

  George Edward Alcorn, Jr. nació en 1940. Recibió una beca académica de cuatro años en el Occidental College en Los Ángeles, donde se graduó con una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Física. Obtuvo su título con honores mientras ganaba ocho letras en baloncesto y fútbol. George Alcorn obtuvo una Maestría en Ciencias en Física Nuclear en 1963 de la Universidad Howard, después de nueve meses de estudio. Durante los veranos de 1962 y 1963, George Alcorn trabajó como ingeniero de investigación para la División Espacial de North America Rockwell. Estuvo involucrado en el análisis computacional de trayectorias de lanzamiento y mecánica orbital de misiles Rockwell, incluyendo el Titán I y II, Saturno IV y el Nova. En 1967 George Alcorn obtuvo un Doctorado en Física Atómica y Molecular de la Universidad Howard. Entre 1965-67 Alcorn realizó investigación sobre formación de iones negativos bajo una beca patrocinada por la NASA. El Dr. Alcorn tiene ocho patentes en Estados Unidos y Europa sobre tecnología de semiconductores, una de las cuales es un método de fabricación de un espectrómetro de rayos X de imagen. Su área de investigación incluye: adaptación de espectrógrafos de masas con ionización química para la detección de aminoácidos y desarrollo de otros métodos experimentales para detección de vida planetaria; investigación clasificada relacionada con reentrada de misiles y defensa de misiles; diseño y construcción de instrumentación espacial, sensores de contaminantes atmosféricos, espectrógrafos de masas magnéticos, analizadores de masas; y desarrollo de nuevos conceptos de diseño de imanes y la invención de un nuevo tipo de espectrómetro de rayos X.