Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902)

While Elizabeth Cady Stanton was still a child, she heard her lawyer father inform abused women that they had no legal alternative but to endure mistreatment by their husbands and fathers. It was then that she became a champion of women's rights. In 1840, she met Lucretia Mott at the World Anti-Slavery convention in London. They called for a convention of women's rights in 1848 where Cady presented a Declaration of Sentiments and Resolution advocating women's suffrage. This took place in Senaca Falls, New York. She declared, "men and women are created equal." Among the resolutions in her declaration, Cady Stanton included voting rights for women. She later met Susan B Anthony, and the two of them became the women's movement's most outspoken advocates.

 

John D. Rockefeller

 

Born: July 8, 1839 Richford, New York, U.S.A

Died: May 23, 1937 (aged 97)The Casements, Ormond Beach, Florida

Occupation: Chairman of Standard Oil Company; investor; philanthropist

 

John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American industrialist and philanthropist. Rockefeller revolutionized the oil industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy. Rockefeller had always believed since he was a child that his purpose in life was to make as much money as possible, and then use it wisely to improve the lot of mankind. In 1870, Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company and ran it until he retired in the late 1890s. He kept his stock and as gasoline grew in importance, his wealth soared and he became the world's richest man and first billionaire. Rockefeller is often regarded as the richest person in history.

Standard Oil was convicted in Federal Court of monopolistic practices and broken up in 1911. Rockefeller spent the last forty years of his life in retirement. His fortune was used to create the modern systematic approach of targeted philanthropy with foundations that had a major impact on medicine, education, and scientific research. His foundations pioneered the development of medical research, and was instrumental in the eradication of hookworm and yellow fever. He was a devout Northern Baptist and supported many church-based institutions throughout his life.

Always avoiding the spotlight, Rockefeller was remembered for handing dimes to those he encountered in public. Married in 1864, Rockefeller outlived his wife Laura Celestia ("Cettie") Spelman. The Rockefellers had four daughters and one son (John D. Rockefeller, Jr.). "Junior" was largely entrusted with supervision of the foundations.

 

Vocabulary notes

Requisite-необходимый

Intertwine-переплетать

Colonel-полковник

Skirmish-перестрелка

contribute-вкладывать

resign-уходить в отставку

expenditure-издержки, расходы

eliminate-уничтожать

harass-изводить

qualm-беспокойство

herald-уведомлять

military-военный

inscribe-надписывать, вписывать

malice-злоба

charity-благотворительность

strive-стараться

to be assassinated-быть убитым

arrogated-дерзко

plea-судебный процесс

guerrilla- партизан

threaten-угрожать

enunciate-уведомлять

assassin-убийца

descent-приличный, достойный

recuperate-выздоравливать

brink-край, обрыв

blackmail-шантаж

futility-тщетность

embroil-запутывать

overhaul-тщательный осмотр

insurgency-бунт, мятеж

achievement-достижение

divert-отклонять

embodу-воплощать

Uncle Tom's Cabin-Хижина дяди Тома

Injustice-несправедливость

Slave-раб

pen name-псевдоним

masterpiece-шедевр

poverty-бедность

depict-изображать

overwhelming-непреодолимый

inevitability-неизбежность

envy-зависть

despair-отчаяние

The Old Man and the Sea- Старик и море

A Farewell to Arms- Прощай оружие

For Whom the Bell Tolls- По ком звонит колокол

Grapes of Wrath- Гроздья гнева

feudal oppression-феодальный гнет

leaping ability-способность прыгать

endorsement-одобрение

orphanage-детский дом

versatile-разносторонний

mime-мим

adulation-лесть

vagrant-бродяга

entrepreneur-предприниматель

lung cancer-рак легких

sewing machine-швейная машинка

traffic light-светофор

profitable-прибыльный

alloy-сплав

fortune-состояние (богатство)

eradication-уничтожение, подавление

 

American Traditions and Holidays

HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL DAYS

There are no federal (national) holidays in the United States. Each of the 50 states has jurisdiction over its holidays. In practice, however, most states observe the federal ("legal or public ") holidays, even though the President and Congress can legally designate holidays only for federal government employees.

The following ten holidays per year are proclaimed by the federal government.

New Year's Day January 1

Martin Luther King Day third Monday in January

Washington's Birthday third Monday in February

Memorial Day last Monday in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day first Monday in September

Columbus Day second Monday in October

Veterans Day November 11

Thanksgiving Day fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Day December 25

Federal government offices, including the post office, are always closed on all federal holidays. Schools and businesses close on major holidays like Independence Day and Christmas Day but may not always be closed, for example, on President's Day or Veterans Day.

Ethnic & Religious Observances

The United States is a nation of many religions and ethnic groups. Many of these have feast days, holy days or special customs related to their religion or to their nation of origin.

The celebration of Mardi Gras - the day before the Christian season of Lent begins in late winter - is a tradition in New Orleans. The celebration, marked by a huge parade and much feasting, grew out of old French traditions, since Louisiana was once part of France's New World empire. In various places, other ethnic groups sponsor parades or other events of great interest, adding pageantry and merriment to American life. Just a few examples:St. Patrick's Day in the United States is a time of celebration for people of Irish descent and their friends. One of the biggest celebrations takes place in New York City, where a parade is held on the Irish patron saint's feast, March 17.In areas where Americans of Chinese descent live, and especially in the Chinatown sections of New York City and San Francisco, California, people sponsor traditional Chinese New Year's celebrations with feasts, parades and fireworks.

Memorial Day

This holiday, on the fourth Monday of every May, is a day on which Americans honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way. Cities all around the United States hold their own ceremonies on the last Monday in May to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country. On Memorial Day, the President or Vice President of the United States gives a speech and lays a wreath on the tombs. Members of the armed forces shoot a rifle salute in the air. Veterans and families come to lay their own wreaths and say prayers. It is a day of reflection. However, to many Americans the day also signals the beginning of summer with a three-day weekend to spend at the beach, in the mountains or at home relaxing.