Learn About The 50 States
Mary Lou Retton (1968)close
Mary Lou Retton was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, and literally vaulted into the national spotlight in August 1984 when she won the gold medal for the best all-around women's gymnast at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She was the first American woman to ever win an individual medal in gymnastics, and also earned two bronze and two silver medals.
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: