Learn About The 50 States
Mahalia Jackson (1912)close
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mahalia Jackson recorded the first million-selling gospel record. She also played a role in the Civil Rights movement, using her voice to raise money for the cause. She sang just prior to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, and he remarked that a voice like hers comes around only "once in a millennium."
Click on any of the names below to find out more...
Looking for a famous American?
This page presents short biographies of more than 200 famous Americans drawn from our unit, "The 50 States." These personalities are arranged by theme.
Just click a theme at the top of the page to view a selection list for that theme.
African Americans:
Artists:
Business Leaders:
National "Characters":
| Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum | Clyde Barrow | John Wilkes Booth |
| Butch Cassidy | William "Buffalo Bill" Cody | Davy Crockett |
| Jesse James | Evel Knievel | Harland David "Colonel" Sanders |
| Jefferson R. "Soapy" Smith |
Cultural Figures:
Inventors:
Pioneers and "Firsts":
Politicians & Activists:
Scientists:
Sports Figures:
Accomplished Women:
Writers & Poets: