Famous People Story Briefs

People who change the world may, or may not, be famous in their own lifetimes. Often it takes years for others to understand forward-thinking contributions. This collection introduces you to some of the world's most-famous people

A graphical score animation shows how Beethoven's Fifth Symphony appears in animated fashion - with the various parts of the orchestra playing at thei...

In the early fall of 1825, Beethoven decided to move into a flat near the apartment of his friends (Stephan von Breuning and his family).

This is a facsimile of the original, never-sent letter Beethoven wrote to his brothers, Carl and Johann, while the composer was living in Heiligenstad...

It is said that when Beethovens Ninth Symphony premiered in Vienna (on the 7th of May, 1824), the deaf maestro kept conducting even after the audience...

Many fans of classical music think that the second movement of Beethoven's 7th Symphony is one of the lovliest pieces of music ever written. Watch a p...

Cover of the highly acclaimed translation of "Beowulf," by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney.

Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday is August 24, 2018. In 1954, a young Leonard Bernstein makes his first television appearance as he explains (and il...

Bertie (the future George VI, in front) and David (the future Edward VIII) had a difficult home life - but they adored their paternal grandparents (Ed...

Betsy Ross reportedly made America's first flag (the "Stars and Stripes"). Is that true? Who was this famous woman?

In 1718, a battle occured between the British Royal Navy and Edward Teach (the pirate known as "Blackbeard").

It's the Masters! Who planned this beautiful golf course? How did it come about? When Bobby Jones envisioned that Berckmans' Place (near Augusta, Geor...

Back in the day when American newspapers cost a nickel, and the price of Southern cotton was still noted at the top of the front page, Bobby Jones had...

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