Saturday, July 26, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: Wise American

Almost every American child in school these days studies Benjamin Franklin- and rightfully so. One of the most gifted minds and being one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin has given America great civic and intellectual ideas that have helped this country prosper and which have helped give every citizen their freedom.


Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and was incredibly the 17th and youngest child of his large Massachusetts family. The Franklin’s were not a rich family and usually didn’t have the resources that Benjamin ultimately wanted. Although his family couldn’t provide him with lavish gifts, he had many of his own. Benjamin Franklin wasn’t even able to get a complete schooling and only attended one single year as a child. However, he did learn to reach and had a love for reading, writing and knowledge that would help set a course for his future.


At the age of 12, Benjamin Franklin started a job as an apprentice. His love of reading and writing became a job as a printer. Under his brother, he worked very long hours each day composing pamphlets, advertising a variety of products and setting type. While Benjamin Franklin enjoyed work, the job wasn’t rewarding enough for him. He decided to run away and work as his own printer in the prospering city of Philadelphia.


Benjamin Franklin soon realized what many others realize when they work in a career; he was far better at the job than his own boss. With some money that he borrowed, he decided to set up a printing shop of his own, he also bought a newspaper and started to print many titles of his own including the Poor Richard’s Almanac which is known for his very popular and very wise quotes.


As his fame and wealth increased and his writing became renown, Benjamin Franklin did not stop thinking. He made overwhelming contributions to Philadelphia, our country and the world. Some of the contributions Benjamin Franklin is famous for included, clean, lit paved streets, a fire company (fire department) to help put out fires around the city, creating the first library and creating a hospital in Philadelphia.


Benjamin Franklin’s life is extremely interesting and Smithsonian Magazine has created an insightful article on this great man and founding father. For those interested in reading more about the contributions and achievements of Benjamin Franklin, please visit our main website today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


Tattoo Art, Benjamin Franklin, Forbidden City


Friday, July 25, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: Real American Hero

Benjamin Franklin is known as one of the most important American Figures. Not only was he instrumental in forging this great nation, but his civic ideas on our communities across the country still are fundamental in our society today. While in school, practically all children learn about the legend of Benjamin Franklin proving the existence of electricity, creating bifocals and others- what more can be said, he is an incredible, larger than life figure.


Some of the great ideas Benjamin Franklin had affects us profoundly today. He was instrumental in ensuring that streets were clean, lit and paved. He started the first fire department (called a fire company) and started the first hospital that took care of patients that were ill and injured. In addition, Benjamin Franklin helped start the first library, where the entire community can have access to books and knowledge. These are just some of the great accomplishments of this man.


For those that love this period in America and to learn the many accomplishments that Benjamin Franklin achieved during specific parts of his life, Smithsonian Magazine has available an interesting article. Visit Smithsonian Magazine today to read more about this larger than life figure that truly made a difference for practically every American that came after. You can visit Smithsonian Magazine at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Quincy Jones, Glacier National Park, Benjamin Franklin, Phantom of the Opera


Sunday, July 13, 2008

Benjamin Franklin: A Great American

One of the most fascinating American historical figures is Benjamin Franklin. There are few men that have done more to enrich our country than him. He was born into relatively modest means in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. Being the 17th child born in his family, it was not easy for him to get his share of attention and nurturing, however Benjamin Franklin was born with plenty of great attributes and although he attended just one year of school as a child, he developed not only a love of reading and knowledge, but plenty of curiosity as well.


Benjamin Franklin is famous for so many wonderful contributions he gave to this country and people around the world. He was instrumental in many civic projects such as championing paved, clean and lit city streets and even started the first fire department- called the Fire Company in Philadelphia.


In addition, besides the Philadelphia Fire Company, Benjamin Franklin also was instrumental in founding the first library called the Library Company in 1731. During this period, the idea of a library was a revolutionary idea. Members combined their money to purchase lots of books which were then lent out. If you think a fire department and library were great ideas, Benjamin Franklin also formed the Pennsylvania Hospital where sick and injured citizens of Philadelphia could receive proper care. Benjamin Franklin in an incredible historical figure, to learn more about his wonderful contributions to this country and the world, please visit Smithsonian’s magazine site at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/


Cheetah facts, Benjamin Franklin, Wrigley Field, Black Holes