Learn About The 50 States
Buddy Holly (1936)close
Considered one of the fathers of rock 'n roll, Buddy Holly was born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas. Holly was first noticed by Decca Records as part of an opening act for Bill Haley and the Comets. Eventually, Holly formed his own band The Crickets. His promising career was cut short when he was touring with Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson ("The Big Bopper") and a small plane carrying the group crashed in Iowa, killing all aboard. This incident is widely believed to be the event referred to as "The Day the Music Died" in Don McLean's song American Pie.
Click on any of the names below to find out more...
Looking for a famous American?
This page presents short biographies of more than 200 famous Americans drawn from our unit, "The 50 States." These personalities are arranged by theme.
Just click a theme at the top of the page to view a selection list for that theme.
African Americans:
Artists:
Business Leaders:
National "Characters":
| Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum | Clyde Barrow | John Wilkes Booth |
| Butch Cassidy | William "Buffalo Bill" Cody | Davy Crockett |
| Jesse James | Evel Knievel | Harland David "Colonel" Sanders |
| Jefferson R. "Soapy" Smith |
Cultural Figures:
Inventors:
Pioneers and "Firsts":
Politicians & Activists:
Scientists:
Sports Figures:
Accomplished Women:
Writers & Poets: