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1200 BCE
History - Ancient Greece
For historical times, Ancient Greece is the period of history that I chose. I find Ancient Greek history to be very interesting and filled with many influential events and historical figures. The Greeks made revolutionary contributions to philosophy, math, medicine, and astronomy. In addition to this, theater and literature were important to them as well. They were well known for architecture and sculptures. -
437 BCE
Theater- Aristophanes
For famous theatrical figures, I chose Aristophanes. Aristophanes is best known for his plays, and he is often referred to and known as the "Father of Comedy". He is credited as the pioneer of old comedy. In total, he wrote 40 plays and 11 of those are still surfacing to this day. -
384 BCE
Philosophy- Plato
I chose Plato as my philosopher of choice. Plato was best known for 'The Republic', which detailed a wise society. He is also famous for his dialogues, which demonstrate the metaphysical theory of forms. His main theory was that the physical world is not really the 'real' world and that ultimate reality exists beyond our physical world.
I also chose Plato because he was a wrestler, and I am a wrestler as well. He wrestled at the Isthmian games and was well-known for it. -
80 BCE
Architecture- Colosseum
For architecture history, I chose to write about the Colosseum. The Colosseum is located in the center of Rome, Italy, and is recognized and admired by people all across the globe. It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built and is still standing. The reason why half of it is gone is due to an earthquake that occurred hundreds of years ago. The Colosseum was the scene of thousands of combats between gladiators and contests between men and animals. -
Jul 12, 1561
Architecture- St. Basil's Cathedral
For architecture history, I chose to write about St. Basil's Cathedral. This Cathedral is located in Moscow, Russia, and is known all around the world. Its appearance is undeniable and easily recognizable. It is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia. There is a legend around this cathedral that states that the architects were blinded by Ivan the Terrible after they completed the Cathedral so that they could not replicate such a beautiful structure. -
Architecture- Taj Mahal
For architecture history, I chose to write about the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The production and building of it started in 1932, and it was created for the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. The purpose was to be the tomb of his beloved wife, and later it was made to be his tomb as well. It is known as a monument of love and people all around the world travel to see its architectural beauty. -
Art History- Wanderer above the Sea of Fog
For art history, I chose to write about the painting "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" because of its beauty and of its important meaning. This painting was made by Caspar David Friedrich. Its significance is that it shows a man confronting the vastness of nature, as well as God. There is so much depth to this painting, and it symbolizes so much power within our own selves. -
Music- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
For music history, I chose to write about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He is an extremely known and valued musical composer, and his work is still respected and honored to this day. His most popular compositions are music for the ballets: Swan Lake (1877), Sleeping Beauty (1889), and The Nutcracker (1892). His ability to mix Western traditions with Russian themes influenced many other composers around the world. -
Music- Blind Lemon Jefferson
For music history, I chose to write about Blind Lemon Jefferson. Blind Lemon Jefferson was an American Blues and gospel musician and singer-songwriter. He is known as the "Father of Texas Blues." He is considered one of the most famous and successful singers of the 1920s. He had a profound influence on the growth of American music. -
Music- Earl Hines
For music history, I chose to write about Earl Hines. Earl Hines was a very influential figure in the development of jazz music, specifically and especially jazz piano. His work is seen as having shaped the history of jazz. Not only was he a pianist, but he was a bandleader and a composer as well, and his music has left a meaningful and beautiful impact on the history of jazz music. -
Literature- Roald Dahl
For famous figures in literature, I chose Roald Dahl. The reason I chose him is because I grew up reading and enjoying a lot of his books. He specialized in children's literature, but he executed the work in such an amazing and unique way. He is known as one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century. A couple of my favorite books from him are "The BFG", "James and the Giant Peach", and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". -
Art History- Andy Warhol
For art history, I chose to write about one of my favorite artists- Andy Warhol. Andy Warhol is known for his bright and colorful works of art. He is a leading figure in the movement of pop art, and he is one of the most important and most influential artists of the 20th century. -
Film History- The Wizard of Oz
For film history, I chose to write about the film "The Wizard of Oz". It is deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”. It remains a classic and is still a loved movie to this day. It was also among the first films selected in 1989 for inclusion in the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. -
Photography- Mushroom Cloud Over Nagasaki
For famous photographs, I chose to write about the 'mushroom cloud over Nagasaki' photograph. Charles Levy, who was a lieutenant aboard 'The Great Artiste' B-29 aircraft, captured this photo with his camera. This photo shows
thick smoke rising more than 60,000 feet into the air over Nagasaki, which was a result of an atomic bomb that was dropped from a U.S. B-29 Superfortress on August 9, 1945. This photo will forever capture a moment in time that otherwise wouldn't have been seen by the world -
Art History- Jean-Michel Basquiat
For art history, I chose to write about the well-known artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Jean-Michel Basquiat, to this day, is considered a ground breaking artist in the Neo-expressionism art movement. His artwork had underlying symbolism of racism, colonialism, classism, and other powerful structures of past US society. He was influenced by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. -
Art History- Takashi Murakami
For art history, I chose to write about Takashi Murakami. Takashi Murakami is a Japanese contemporary artist and is known for his artwork's characteristics of Japanese artistic tradition and the nature of postwar Japanese culture. His influence on Japan can be compared to Andy Warhol's influence on America. He has collaborated with many fashion designers and companies, such as Louis Vuitton, Comme De Garcons, Google, and Supreme. -
Literature- The Diary of a Young Girl
For literature, I chose to write about the book titled "The Diary of a Young Girl", by Anne Frank. This book consists of the writings of Anne Frank, who was in hiding for two years during World War II. In this book and in her writings within her diary, she wrote about her experiences, her feelings, and what she endured in those two years locked away and hidden in hopes of not being found. She also wrote about her plans t publish the book about her time in the Secret Annex after she was free. -
Music- Queen
For music history, I chose to write about one of my all-time favorite bands: Queen. Queen is known worldwide and is still respected and cherished to this day. They are a British rock band that was formed in the 1970s. Freddy Mercury (the lead singer) was known for his vibrance and lively character on stage, which made many people all around the world love him and his band. Their music was very unique, and they paved the way for many future bands and left an influence on music history forever.