SIDEBAR 

Marilyn Monroe (6/1/26-9/5/62), born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was a singer, actress, and model that was groundbreaking and iconic to women all across America. Some of her films include Some Like it Hot, Monkey Business, and How to Marry a Millionaire, while her singing successes include “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and the singing of “Happy Birthday, Mister President” for former president John F. Kennedy. Some things that surprised me about her was the fact that while her death has been ruled as an overdose of barbiturate poisoning, it has not been ruled as either homicide nor suicide and that she had trouble landing most of her roles as she tagged with the “dumb blonde” persona. She could be a good choice for the final Power of One project as she is a poster girl for American actresses and Hollywood alike, and is a role model to many young American females.

Paul David Hewson, known for his stage name, Bono, was born on May 10^th 1960 in Dublin, Ireland. He is the front man and singer for the revolutionary rock band U2, and has been involved in many activist organizations such as Product (RED), Band Aid, and the ONE campaign. Also, he’s made cameos in several movies such as Across the Universe, where he played the peace enthusiast, Dr. Robert and sang The Beatle’s hit songs “I am the Walrus” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and was TIME magazine’s Co-Person of the Year along with Bill Gates. It has surprised me that while he’s edging on fifty, he’s already done so much in his life and shows no signs of stopping. He could be an acceptable choice for a Power of One project for although he’s younger than most subjects, which would lead to less info, he has made a huge impact on the government, economics, modern culture, and technology.

Andy Warhol, (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987) born Andrew Warhola was a film director, photographer, and iconic painter of the 60’s and 70’s. Some of his greatest paintings include 100 cans of soup, Red Car Crash, and his various paintings of celebrities. His films include Heat, Cocaine Cowboys, and Batman Dracula along with a surprisingly many more.  The Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art, opened by his brother, John Warhola, currently resides in New York. He could a good Power of One subject however, he had little impact or influence on the economic world.

Mohandas "Mahatmas" Gandhi Biography

On October 2^nd 1869, Putlibai and Karamchad Gandhi gave birth to young Mohandas Gandhi. Little did they know he would soon grow up to be one of the most revolutionary individuals in the world and considered one of India’s founding fathers, along with claiming the name Mahatmas, or “Great Soul” Gandhi.

            In his early years, young Gandhi gained had some of his most influential moments in his life. He began and practiced lifestyles and traditions such as vegetarianism, fasting, gained tolerance for people of other beliefs, Hinduism, and looked up to characters of ancient Indian epics, most importantly being, the Indian king Harishchandra, who is most commonly known for his ideal lifestyle of peace and justice. At age thirteen Gandhi was subjected to an arranged marriage, a typical tradition in most Indian and Hindu cultures, to a young fourteen year old Kasturbai Makhanji. As a school child, he maintained a mediocre status, and left for London in 1888 to study law and become barrister, or lawyer, under the wishes of his mother.

 In 1885 Gandhi had one of his biggest experiences of the miracles and tragedies of life and death. At age fifteen he and his wife Kasturbai. Sadly though, the child only survived a few days, leaving a broken hearted Gandhi who had also mourned earlier in the year over his own father’s death. But not to be discouraged, three years later he had his second son Harilal, along with three more to come within the next twelve years.

            After failing to become a lawyer in college, Gandhi accepted a one year contract for the Indian firm Dada Abdulla & Co. in Natal, a colony under control of the British Empire. There he faced severe discrimination against people of the Indian culture. He was once beaten by a train driver for not giving up his seat for a European couple, along with being barred from several hotels due to his race and beliefs. This helped promote Gandhi’s extended stay in the country, in order to help oppose a bill denying Indians the right to vote in South Africa. Though the bill was still passed, he became an important figure in the independence of Indians in South Africa.

            In 1915 Gandhi returned from Africa to India to help seek independence in his homeland. One of his greatest accomplishments came in 1915. While in Kheda he noticed the extreme poverty and insanitation in the province. There the British were even levying taxes that kept increasing. In order to help, Gandhi established an ashram, or religious hermitage, and set up organized rallies and protests. With this his fame soared across the country and retained the names “Bapu”, or Father, and “Mahatmas”. He is now considered a “Father of the Country”.

            On a faithful night in January 1948, Gandhi had his nightly walk in the grounds of the Birla house in his then home, New Delhi, where he was shot Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. His shrine now rests Raj  Ghat, New Delhi.

     WHY 

     I decided to write my report on Mahatmas Gandhi because he is one of the most influential people of the twentieth century and contributed greatly to his country. Some things that drew me to him was that he is an iconic peace symbol around the world, however I knew little about him, and was interested as to what made him great. Another thing that attracted me making him my subject was that he kept his head high, and never lost grasp of his beliefs in the dark and violent times in which he lived.I decided to write my report on Mahatmas Gandhi because he is one of the most influential people of the twentieth century and contributed greatly to his country. Some things that drew me to him was that he is an iconic peace symbol around the world, however I knew little about him, and was interested as to what made him great. Another thing that attracted me making him my subject was that he kept his head high, and never lost grasp of his beliefs in the dark and violent times in which he lived.

BACKGROUND AREA

     During the time period that Gandhi lived, there were many wars, the most important of which was World War II. He led the India Congress Party, which as opposed to supporting the war, they instead pulled all deputies out of the legislature. In 1941 the Japanese took India as a battlefield while attacking Western powers.

WHY IS HE GREAT

I believe Mohandas Gandhi is one of the most influential people of the twentieth century internationally, and the most influential person ever in modern Indian history. Not only did he lead peace movements and fought for independence in his own country, but broadened it in South Africa, where he struggled for Indian rights and equality, and was even inspiration for the now president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. He has impacted South Africa economically by fighting against many of unfair taxes levied by the British Empire upon South Africa. He has impacted India’s government, by rising to becoming known as the “father of the country” along with being the son of the diwan, or Prime Minister of the Porbander state of India. His many peace works have sent ripple effects, influencing many people from modern culture such as Martin Luther King Jr. and British musician John Lennon

REFERENCES

·         The role of India in World War II. Retrieved from bbc.co.uk on November 4, 2009 http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/colonies_colonials_01.shtml

·         Short biography of the life of Gandhi. Retrieved from time.com on November 4, 2009 http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/gandhi.html

·         The role of India in World War II. Retrieved from bbc.co.uk on November 4, 2009 http://www.worldwar2database.com/html/india.htm