T’Zu Hsi (1835-1908) WHO S/HE WAS: Tsu Hsi was popularly known in China as the West Dowager Empress. She was a powerful and charismatic figure who became the de facto ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, ruling over the Manchu Empire for 48 years from her husband’s death in 1861 to her own death in
Mark Twain (1835-1910) WHO S/HE WAS: Mark Twain was a famous author, satirist, essayist, newspaper contributor, and lecturer. He wrote about a myriad of topics, ranging from life along the Mississippi River, detailed in famous works such as _The Adventures of Tom Sawyer_ (1872) and _The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn_ (1884), to a collection of
John Hay (1838-1905) WHO S/HE WAS: John Hay began his political career as Abraham Lincoln’s private secretary. He went on to serve as the U.S. secretary of state for both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. WHAT S/HE SAID: It has been a splendid little war, begun with the highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) Theodore D. Roosevelt was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, a Republican and at 42 years old, the youngest person ever to be President. He was a Progressive reformer who sought to move the dominant Republican Party into the Progressive camp. He distrusted wealthy businessmen and dissolved monopolistic corporations as a
Emilio Aguinaldo (1860-1835) WHO HE WAS: Emilio Aguinaldo played a pivotal role in the fight for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule. As a revolutionary leader, he led forces in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish authorities. He declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, and became the first President of the Philippines. Aguinaldo’s contributions continue
George Dewey (1860-1835) WHO S/HE WAS: George Dewey was Admiral of the Navy, the only person in United States history to have attained the rank. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War. WHAT S/HE SAID: To Charles Vernon Gridley, igniting the Battle of Manila Bay.
Dwight Sigsbee (1845-1923) WHO S/HE WAS: Captain Charles Sigsbee was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and served in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. He was also a pioneering oceanographer and hydrographer. Between 1875 and 1925, his innovation, the Sigsbee sounding machine, was a standard item of deep-water oceanographc equipment. WHAT S/HE
Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) WHO S/HE WAS: Joseph Pulitzer was a wealthy newspaper publisher known for sensationalist journalism. In 1895, his publication, the _New York World_ introduced the immensely popular comic strip, “Hogan’s Alley” which featured a yellow-dressed character named the “Yellow Kid.” He created the Pulitzer Prize which is a U.S. award for achievements in
William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951) WHO S/HE WAS: William Randolph Hearst was an American newspaper magnate and leading newspaper publisher who played an active role in late 19th century politics. WHAT S/HE SAID: In the run-up to the Spanish-American War, Hearst sent the legendary illustrator Frederick Remington to Cuba to cover the insurrection. Finding nothing to
Valeriano Weyler (1838-1930) WHO S/HE WAS: General Valeriano Weyler was a Spanish soldier and commander of Spanish forces in Cuba in the 1890s. WHAT S/HE SAID: The good die young. WHY S/HE MATTERED: Valeriano “The Butcher” Weyler was notorious for his “reconcentration” policies in Cuba which sought to strip Cuban rebels of their abilities to
