Kindergarten Biographies
Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) Stephen F. Austin is considered the "Father of
Texas." He brought 297 families to live in Austin's Colony. They were called the
"Old Three Hundred." Within ten years he helped more than 1,500 families settle
in Texas. His colony was near the Brazos and Colorado rivers.
Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) Christopher Columbus was born in Italy
and was an explorer. He believed the world was round. The king and queen of
Spain gave Columbus money to buy ships. His ships were the Pinta, Niña, and
the Santa Maria. After sailing for 37 days, he landed in present-day San
Salvador on October 12, 1492. He thought he had reached the East Indies. The
significance of Columbus' discovery is remembered every Columbus Day, a
national holiday, on the second Monday of October.
Jose Antonio Navarro (1795-1871) José Antonio Navarro is considered one of
the most important Tejanos of his time. He helped to fight for Texas’
independence, or freedom, from Mexico. He then fought for the rights of Tejanos
as citizens of the Republic of Texas and the United States.
George Washington (1732-1799) George Washington was considered a
military leader and hero. He was elected as the first President of the United
States and served two terms. Before he was President, he lived in Virginia and
was a surveyor, a planter, and the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army
during the American Revolution. His plantation, a large farm, was Mount
Vernon. He is known as the "Father of Our Country." His likeness is one of four
presidents carved into the monument at Mount Rushmore. Presidents' Day, a
national holiday, occurs on the third Monday in February, near February 22, his
birthday.