Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a university.

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, first as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. As the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."

Ben Franklin (company)

Ben Franklin is a chain of five and dime and arts and crafts stores found in small towns throughout the United States, currently owned by Promotions Unlimited of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. They are organized using a franchise system, with individual stores owned by independent proprietors. It was perhaps the first retail franchise, starting in 1927. They are named after Benjamin Franklin, taking a cue in their merchandise offerings from Franklin's saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned."

History

Origins

The chain originated in Boston in 1877 as Butler Brothers, a mail-order wholesaler selling general and variety-store items. At the turn of the 20th century, Butler Brothers had over 100,000 customers in the United States. As variety stores were penetrating their market, the company founded the Ben Franklin chain in 1927, which was sold in 1959. At Ben Franklin's peak, the chain had 2,500 stores nationwide.

Walmart founder Sam Walton started in retailing operating a Ben Franklin store. In 1973, Michael J. Dupey converted a Ben Franklin store to start the Michaels chain in Texas.

Ben Franklin (Canadian politician)

Ben Franklin (1942–March 22, 2003) was mayor of the city of Nepean, Ontario from 1978 to 1997. Nepean became part of the city of Ottawa in 2001.

He was born in Elgin, Ontario in 1942. He graduated from Carleton University with a BA in 1971 and became a high school geography teacher. In 1973, he was elected to Nepean council. In 1975, he ran unsuccessfully as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Carleton in the Ontario general election. As mayor, Franklin established a "pay as you go" policy which brought the city out of debt. He retired in 1997 due to health problems. His executive assistant, Mary Pitt, succeeded him as mayor of Nepean after running a campaign that promised to simply continue Franklin's vision.

He received an artificial heart in March 2003 but died of heart failure later that month at the age of 60.

Ben Franklin Place at Centrepointe was named after him. He was the first person to be given an honorary key to the new city of Ottawa.

References

Twentynine Palms, California

Twentynine Palms (also known as 29 Palms) is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It was previously called Twenty-Nine Palms.

Geography

The city is located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.1 square miles (153 km²), all land.

The city is at an elevation of 1,988 feet (606 m).

The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms is located there.

Climate

Due in large part to its elevation of more than 1,100 ft (340 m) above sea level, Twentynine Palms has a slightly cooler climate, especially during winter, than Palm Springs, but with essentially the same subtropical desert characteristics. Temperatures reach 100 °F (38 °C) on 90 days, 90 °F (32 °C) on 155 days, and the freezing mark on 24 nights annually. Extremes range from 10 °F (−12 °C) on December 23, 1990 to 118 °F (48 °C) on July 11, 1961.

History

Twentynine Palms was named for the palm trees found there in 1852 by Col. Henry Washington while surveying the San Bernardino base line. A post office was established in 1927.

29 Palms (film)

29 Palms is a 2002 film directed by Leonardo Ricagni about a bag of money that affects the characters who possess it, and its varied contents, as it passes from one to another. It stars Jeremy Davies, Michael Lerner, Litefoot, Russell Means, Chris O'Donnell, Keith David, and Jon Polito.

In 2002 Eagle Pictures released it under the Italian title La Grande Sfida (The Great Challenge) on DVD.

References

External links

29 Palms (song)

29 Palms is a song from Robert Plant's 1993 Fate of Nations LP. Song credited to Charlie Jones, Chris Blackwell, Doug Boyle, Phil Johnstone and Robert Plant

The song was written about the small town Twentynine Palms in the Mojave desert, and is said to be based on Canadian singer Alannah Myles, with whom he was touring in California when he wrote the song.

The song reached number 21 in the UK chart.

References