American Icon of the 20th Century?

[Mandy in TN]

I am trying to choose an American icon for ds to study at the end of American History next year. The person that keeps coming to mind is Billy Graham. He will already be studying MLK/ civil rights and Reagan/ Cold War.

Does anyone have another suggestion for an American icon after WW2?
Thanks-
Mandy

[Michelle in MO]

off the top of my head I would recommend the following presidents:

Harry S. Truman (see David McCollough's book Truman (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Truman/David-McCullough/e/9780671869205/?itm=18); I haven't read this one, but have read other books by McCollough. As one reviewer said, "It's impossible for David McCollough to write a bad page of prose.")

Dwight D. Eisenhower

John F. Kennedy

I would think that any of these three would be considered an American icon; Harry Truman for right after WW2, Eisenhower as representative of the 50's, and JFK for the early 60's.

[elegantlion]

If it didn't have to be a person, I would say the computer.

[FloridaLisa]

I am trying to choose an American icon for ds to study at the end of American History next year. The person that keeps coming to mind is Billy Graham.

Billy Graham could be an interesting study because of his relationship with all of the latter-20th century Presidents, his worldwide ministry, his transition from radio to tv (if memory serves).

Lisa

[Mandy in TN]

off the top of my head I would recommend the following presidents:

Thanks. We will be studying presidents. While I did give the example of Reagan in my OP, I guess I'm looking for someone outside the White House. Someone who is an exemplary icon- not necessarily a president.

[Mandy in TN]

If it didn't have to be a person, I would say the computer.

We are studying the 20th century this year and will be covering computers/ internet second semester. I'm looking for something less global- something specifically American.

Thanks-
Mandy

[Mandy in TN]

Billy Graham could be an interesting study because of his relationship with all of the latter-20th century Presidents, his worldwide ministry, his transition from radio to tv (if memory serves).

Lisa

Yea, and these are some of the reasons that I keep coming back to him.
Thanks-
Mandy

[Karen in CO]

How about Superman? he helped to create the superhero genre. You can look at how he influenced and was influenced by the changes in the world around him. He has been around since 1938. He has at times been the the icon of an American hero. You can look at the mythic qualities of his story over time. There are a lot of ways to go here.

Speaking of heros... How about John Wayne? He is an enduring American icon. As of last year, he still ranked number 3 on the list of Americans favorite actors. He very carefully chose his roles so that he could protect his image. John Wayne as an icon has a lot of potential.


And how about Disneyland? It is an American icon also. It has been open since 1955. The fact that Disneyland is an icon says something about us and how we have changed prospered since WWII. When Khrushchev visited the US in '59 the two things he wanted was to visit Disneyland and meet John Wayne.

[Catherine]

Einstein
Bill Gates
Edward R. Murrow
Dr. Seuss
Rachel Carson
Elvis Presley
Andrew Carnegie
Jonas Salk

This list is skewed toward people who changed history\everyday lives.

[Dot]

Studs Terkel.

Even if you don't agree with his personal "politics", the man was absolutely superb as an oral historian. He interviewed thousands, from the common to the famous. His books are fabulous. We just finished one called Will The Circle Be Unbroken. He spoke to people about death and their hunger for faith in it.
There are tons of websites to research him, and many interviews to listen to online. I think he was one of our greatest people of ALL times.

[Jumping In Puddles]

How about Louis Armstrong? He not only influenced jazz but also popular music and surely is an American Icon of the 20th century. Particularly if your child has interest in music.

[Hoggirl]

Perhaps not as "iconic" as what one would normally think of, but he certainly changed the face of America. You could tie in some econ and business with it?