It’s been cited that Dick Cheney is the most powerful vice president in the history of the United States. Although he was raised by Democrat parents, this former vice president is a Republican. His political career started in 1965 when he began as an intern for the Senate. Cheney quickly moved up the ladder working as an aide to the governor of Wisconsin. Later, Cheney held many positions under four presidents Ford, Nixon, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. The period that is most significant of Cheney’s political career was when he served as Vice President with President George W. Bush for two terms, beginning in 2000. During this time, Cheney partnered with Bush during the war on terrorism, the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gulf War.
Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin Jr was destined to become a pilot. He attended West Point Military Academy and upon graduation entered the Air Force, where he flew 66 combat mission during the Korean War. Aldrin later enrolled at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned his Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics. He pioneered training techniques which simulated zero-gravity and prepared astronauts for work in space. On his return from the Apollo 11 mission to the moon with Neil Armstrong, Aldrin was given the highest peacetime award in American, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Buzz Aldrin is the second man to walk on the moon.
“Honest Abe” will always be known as the greatest president of the United States. His humble beginnings and sheer determination led him to the highest office in the nation. Lincoln was a proficient lawyer and shrewd politician who led the cause of abolishing slavery. He first gained popularity when he campaigned against Stephen Douglas for Senate in 1858. During the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Douglas argued that each territory should have the right to decide whether they would become free or slave, while Lincoln sought to ban slavery in new territories. Lincoln lost the race for the Senate seat but won the Republican party’s presidential nomination in 1860. Seven states had seceded before he was inaugurated as president in1861, and the Confederate States of America was already formed with Jefferson Davis. The Civil War began when the Confederates opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The tides began to turn in 1863, the slaves were emancipated by Lincoln. He won re-election in 1864. Just five days after the Civil War ended, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.
Jane Russell was blessed with a full figure, beautiful looks, and artistic talent. She was a sex symbol in the ’40s and ’50s and was the cause of many men becoming weak in the knees. Russell was discovered by Howard Hughes and starred as his leading lady in his film, “The Outlaw.” She created quite a stir by exposing lots of skin in her shots. Russell’s big break was a role in the movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” with co-star Marilyn Monroe.
Ben Carson was the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins who were joined at the head in 1987. He was 35 years old at the time and he seemed to step into a spotlight that never dimmed. Just a few years before at the age of 33, Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the U.S. He has been awarded over 60 honorary doctorate degrees and dozens of national merit citations. Carson has written six bestselling books. In 2016, he announced that he was running for the Republican nomination in the presidential election. After the Super Tuesday primaries in March 2016, Carson suspended his campaign and took a new position as the national chairman of My Faith Votes, a non-partisan movement that encourages Christians to vote, and he endorsed Donald Trump’s candidacy. Carson is presently serving as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Originally, Ronald Reagan was a Democrat, but he had grown extremely unhappy with the New Deal policies, so in 1960 he registered as a Republican. The former actor and radio announcer had charisma and people liked him. He persuaded the Republican party to back him and he was elected as governor of California in 1967 and another term in 1971. In 1980, Reagan ran against incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter and won. In 1984, Reagan defeated former Vice President Walter Mondale and served another term.
Robinson made a huge impact on baseball as he was the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Every major league baseball team celebrates Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 because it was April 15, 1947, when Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in front of 26,000 fans. Eighty years of segregation in baseball came to an end that day. Robinson would still face threats and sometimes the audience would boo him as he played for the Dodgers, but he continued to play no matter what. He was named Rookie of the Year, and later the NL MVP in 1949. Robinson was admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Robinson first met Senator Richard Nixon, who was running for Vice President, in the locker room at a World Series game. Robinson ended up campaigning for Nixon since he felt the John F. Kennedy was not a sincere person. He later regretted it after asking Nixon to intervene with Dr. Martin Luther King’s arrest, which he refused to do. Kennedy ended up making the phone call to Dr. King’s wife, Loretta, which ended up helping in his release. Later, Robinson campaigned for Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1958 and in 1962. He also campaigned again for Nixon in the 1960 presidential campaign and made speeches in his behalf.
Sarah Palin served as the Governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009. Palin ran for the office of Vice President with presidential candidate John McCain in the election of 2008. Palin is the first Republican woman to be nominated for the vice presidency. She was also the first woman and youngest person to be elected Governor of Alaska.
Most people don’t know that before he became a famous game show host, Bob Barker was a fighter pilot in the Navy during WWII. After the war, He returned to Drury College and earned his degree in economics. After he graduated, Barker moved out west to California to search for jobs in broadcasting. He had his own radio show for 6 years called “The Bob Barker Show.” A radio show producer, Ralph Edwards, made Barker the host of the End of the Rainbow which helped him take off in his career. Barker got a position as host of “Truth or Consequences” on NBC which he held for 18 years. He went on to host another game show, “The Price is Right” which became a hit because people loved his Barker’s friendly and warm personality. Barker has won 19 Emmy’s, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Daytime Television. Barker is a huge supporter of animal rights and has donated millions to the welfare of animals. He says his greatest life achievement is animal advocacy.
Most people know him as Ice-T, but his birth name is Tracy Lauren Marrow. The American rapper and actor was born in Newark, New Jersey and later relocated to Los Angeles, California. Ice-T served in the US Army for four years. Before he became a famous platinum-selling rap artist, he made his living by selling stolen car stereos, drugs, and being a pimp. Today, Ice-T can be seen on the television series playing the role of Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on “The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
Rob Schneider is a very talented actor with a great sense of humor. Most people remember him from Saturday Night Live. Before SNL, Schneider took odd jobs and performed at radio stations and clubs before landing a position at SNL as a writer. Soon, he was promoted to full cast member. Schneider later got lead roles in movies like “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” He also appeared in other films including “The Longest Yard,” “50 First Dates,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “The Hot Chick,” and “You Don’t Mess With Zohan.”
It was the Golden Era of Hollywood when Ginger Rogers rose to stardom. Her fans were spellbound by her captivating performances as she made appearances in 73 films, and many Broadway shows. The iconic Hollywood star was a charmingly beautiful woman and featured as number 14 on the American Film Institue’s list of greatest screen legends. Her most famous films include “Kitty Foyle,” “Week-End at the Waldorf,” “A Shriek in the Night,” “Don’t Bet on Love,” “It Had To Be You,” “Magnificent Doll,” and “Perfect Strangers.” Rogers also starred in the award-winning Broadway musical, “Hello, Dolly!”
Mike Bloomberg started his career at Salomon Brothers Investment Bank with an entry-level position and became a partner after 15 years with the firm. When Salomon was acquired by another company, he was left without a job so Bloomberg formed his own company, a financial data service firm, Bloomberg LP. In 2001, he ran for the Mayor of NYC on the Republican ticket and won. He was re-elected in 2005, and in 2009. Bloomberg’s net worth is $62 billion making him the 6th richest person in the United States, and the 9th richest person in the world.
Bing Crosby is well-known for his baritone voice and is credited with approximately 300 hit singles. He had a 15-minute radio show with CBS Radio which made him a very popular. He developed his own style of singing which later influenced Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como. Crosby rose to fame with the release of “White Christmas,” which is one of the most successful singles of all time. When the singer teamed up with comedian Bob Hope, his career took a different but also successful path. Crosby starred in seven “Road” film series with Hope from 1940 and 1962.
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr took the position as the 38th President of the United States when President Nixon resigned because of his involvement in Watergate. Unfortunately, Ford had been handed a government filled with controversies and turmoil. The U.S. was experiencing inflation and a low economy. Ford took immediate action and created the Economic Policy Board to control inflation and set the pace for growth. Ford also helped to control the rate of unemployment that was rising in 1975. Jimmy Carter ran against Ford, in 1976 and won. Carter moved out of the White House in 1977 after a long 895-day presidency.
George Walker Bush served two consecutive terms as the 43rd President of the United States. His father, George Herbert Walker Bush, was the 41st president. The political roots don’t stop there, as his grandfather was U.S. Senator Prescott Bush. After Bush finished school in Massachusetts, he earned a B.A. degree in history from Yale, and then he attended Harvard Business School to get his M.B.A. In 1968, he joined the Texas Air National Guard and served six years. Laura Lane Welsh married Bush and the couple moved to Midland, where Bush would start an oil exploration company. He also helped his father in both of his campaigns in the presidential election before becoming the Governor of Texas. He became the Republican candidate for 2000 presidential election running against Democrat nominee Al Gore. Bush was re-elected four years later by defeating John Kerry.
Jeb Bush is the second son of former President George H. W. Bush. His younger brother is former President George W. Bush. He attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, where he excelled with good grades and held the position of captain of the tennis team. High school is where Bush developed an interest in serving the public when he traveled to Mexico to teach English. This trip inspired him to major in Latin American Affairs at the Univesity of Texas instead of enrolling at Yale University as his other relatives did. After Bush graduated, he started employment at the International division of Texas Commerce Bank. Eventually, he became an established businessman and got into politics like his father and brother. Bush served as Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007.
Trace Adkins came into the spotlight with his first single “There’s a Girl in Texas.” This led him to produce an album, “Dreamin’ Out Loud” which was a chart topper. During the last two decades, Adkins has released seven studio albums and two compilations of “Greatest Hits.” Almost all of his singles have made it high on the Billboard country music charts. But it was his singles, “No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This” that hit number one. Adkins has made many guest appearances on televisions shows and films. In 2008, he was a contestant in The Celebrity Apprentice, but he lost to Piers Morgan. In 2013, Adkins returned for The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and won!
