sabato 28 dicembre 2013
venerdì 27 dicembre 2013
mercoledì 25 dicembre 2013
martedì 17 dicembre 2013
sabato 14 dicembre 2013
giovedì 12 dicembre 2013
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Conan Doyle is most famous as the inventor of Sherlock Holmes, but he had a varied career as a writer, journalist and public figure.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born on 22 May 1859 in Edinburgh into a prosperous Irish family. He trained as a doctor, gaining his degree from Edinburgh University in 1881. He worked as a surgeon on a whaling boat and also as a medical officer on a steamer travelling between Liverpool and West Africa. He then settled in Portsmouth on the English south coast and divided his time between medicine and writing.
Sherlock Holmes made his first appearance in 'A Study of Scarlet', published in 'Beeton's Christmas Annual' in 1887. Its success encouraged Conan Doyle to write more stories involving Holmes but, in 1893, Conan Doyle killed off Holmes, hoping to concentrate on more serious writing. A public outcry later made him resurrect Holmes. In addition, Conan Doyle wrote a number of other novels, including 'The Lost World' and various non-fictional works. These included a pamphlet justifying Britain's involvement in the Boer War, for which he was knighted and histories of the Boer War and World War One, in which his son, brother and two of his nephews were killed. Conan Doyle also twice ran unsuccessfully for parliament. In later life he became very interested in spiritualism.
Conan Doyle died of a heart attack on 7 July 1930.
lunedì 9 dicembre 2013
domenica 8 dicembre 2013
Nelson Mandela: to honour him we must preserve his memory
·
Why is Nelson Mandela famous?
A leader of his
people
Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the pro-apartheid government. After he left prison, he worked to achievehuman rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the pro-apartheid government. After he left prison, he worked to achievehuman rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa.
When did he live?
Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. He was in prison from 1962 to 1990. He became President of South Africa in 1994, and retired in 1999. Nelson Mandela died on 5 December 2013 following a lung illness.
Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. He was in prison from 1962 to 1990. He became President of South Africa in 1994, and retired in 1999. Nelson Mandela died on 5 December 2013 following a lung illness.
Why is he famous?
Nelson Mandela became famous for his long fight against bad government andracial prejudice. He became a hero to people all over the world. As South Africa's President, he was respected for his courage and wisdom in bringing people together to live in peace.
Nelson Mandela became famous for his long fight against bad government andracial prejudice. He became a hero to people all over the world. As South Africa's President, he was respected for his courage and wisdom in bringing people together to live in peace.
South
Africa's history
Most South Africans are black. There are also people of European and Asian backgrounds, and people of mixed race.
Most South Africans are black. There are also people of European and Asian backgrounds, and people of mixed race.
Dutch people set up the first whitecolony in South Africa in 1652. Later British
settlers came. Dutch farmers called themselves 'Boers', from a Dutch word meaning
'farmers'. They spoke a language called Afrikaans. Most other white settlers
spoke English. Black people spoke Bantu languages such as isiNdebele and
isiZulu.
Britain and South Africa
Britain took over the Dutch colony in 1815. South Africa became part of theBritish Empire. Gold was found in 1886. With gold and good farmland, the country was rich.
Britain took over the Dutch colony in 1815. South Africa became part of theBritish Empire. Gold was found in 1886. With gold and good farmland, the country was rich.
But it was not peaceful. Whites and blacks
fought over the land. There were wars between the Boers and the British. The
Boers wanted their own country.
How South Africa was ruled
When Mandela was growing up, black people had little say in how South Africa was run. The government was whites-only. Most black people were poor. They worked as servants. They worked on farms, and in factories and gold mines.
When Mandela was growing up, black people had little say in how South Africa was run. The government was whites-only. Most black people were poor. They worked as servants. They worked on farms, and in factories and gold mines.
What was the ANC?
In 1944, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress or ANC. The ANC wanted black South Africans to have the same human rights as whites.
In 1944, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress or ANC. The ANC wanted black South Africans to have the same human rights as whites.
In 1948, the South African government made
new laws to keep white people and black people apart. The new system was called
'apartheid'.
What
was apartheid?
Apartheid (say A-PART-HITE) forced white and non-white people to live in separate areas. Non-white people meant black people, people from Asia and people of mixed race.
Apartheid (say A-PART-HITE) forced white and non-white people to live in separate areas. Non-white people meant black people, people from Asia and people of mixed race.
A white person and a black person could
not marry. Black people and white people could not share a table in a
restaurant, or sit together on a bus. Black children and white children went to
different schools. Sports teams were all-white or all-black, never mixed.
Mandela makes a stand
Mandela and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa's first black law firm. Poor people came to them for help.
Mandela and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa's first black law firm. Poor people came to them for help.
Mandela led young people in the ANC. Many
white people, as well as black people, spoke out against apartheid. Mandela
admired Gandhi, who had used peaceful protest in India. Perhaps peaceful
protest could get rid of apartheid, without fighting?
But to speak out was dangerous. In 1956,
Mandela and 155 other people were arrested for treason. After a trial lasting five
years, he was set free in 1961.
What happened at Sharpeville?
In 1960, people held a demonstrationagainst apartheid at Sharpeville, near Johannesburg. The police shot dead 69 black people. The government blamed the ANC, and banned it.
In 1960, people held a demonstrationagainst apartheid at Sharpeville, near Johannesburg. The police shot dead 69 black people. The government blamed the ANC, and banned it.
Mandela became leader of a secret army,
known as Umkhonto we Sizwe or 'Spear of the Nation'. He was hunted by the
police, and had to hide and use disguises. He travelled to other countries to
ask for help.
Mandela goes to jail
In 1961 South Africa left theCommonwealth. Millions of people in other countries supported the anti-apartheid movement. Many nations stopped trade with South Africa. Sports teams and entertainers refused to go there.
In 1961 South Africa left theCommonwealth. Millions of people in other countries supported the anti-apartheid movement. Many nations stopped trade with South Africa. Sports teams and entertainers refused to go there.
Still the government refused to change. In
1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested again. He was accused of sabotageand plotting to overthrow the
government. In 1964, aged 46, he was given a life sentence.
Robben
Island
Mandela was sent to the prison on Robben Island. Other ANC leaders in prison there included Walter Sisulu. Oliver Tambo had left South Africa to live abroad.
Mandela was sent to the prison on Robben Island. Other ANC leaders in prison there included Walter Sisulu. Oliver Tambo had left South Africa to live abroad.
Mandela spent 18 years on Robben Island.
He had to do hard labour. He was allowed one
visitor every 6 months. He was later moved to another prison.
Free Nelson Mandela!
Mandela became the most famous prisoner in the world. He did not give up. Even the prison guards admired him.
Mandela became the most famous prisoner in the world. He did not give up. Even the prison guards admired him.
At last, in 1988, the South African
government began to make changes. One change was to let black students into
'white' universities. From around the world, the calls got louder. Free Nelson
Mandela!
Mandela leaves prison
In 1990, South Africa's new President FW de Klerk set Nelson Mandela free. Mandela and de Klerk agreed: no more fighting. Mandela called on all South Africans to work together in peace.
In 1990, South Africa's new President FW de Klerk set Nelson Mandela free. Mandela and de Klerk agreed: no more fighting. Mandela called on all South Africans to work together in peace.
Mandela becomes President
In 1991, Mandela became leader of the ANC. In the 1994 elections, all black people in South Africa were able to vote for the first time. The ANC won the election. A new government took over. In May 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.
In 1991, Mandela became leader of the ANC. In the 1994 elections, all black people in South Africa were able to vote for the first time. The ANC won the election. A new government took over. In May 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.
mercoledì 4 dicembre 2013
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