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Born
Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Württemberg, Germany (Corbis /Underwood and Underwood 48). He was born to Hermann and Pauline Einstein (Hoffman 6). Albert was named in memory of his paternal grandfather, Abraham Enstein, because they both start with "A" (Hoffman 8). -
The Compass
When Albert Einstein was five years old, his father showed him a compass. He was fascinated by the thought that something unseen was moving the needle. This is important because Albert Einstein on the path of science (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
Learns About Math and Science
Einstein is introduced to a family friend, Max Talmud, who also helps start Einstein on his path of scientific greatness. He shows Einstein books on math and science. Einstein pored over these books and learned a lot about math and science. This is important because it is another event that led Einstein on the path to extreme intelligence in math and science (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
Hawaii is Annexed by the United States
After Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown in 1893, Hawaii asked to be annexed by the U.S. President Grover Cleveland stalled because he thought the Hawaiins wanted to be independent. That changed when William McKinley became president and made Hawaii a U.S. territory. It became a state in 1959 (Zeman and Kelly 82). -
Special Theory of Relativity and Articles
Albert Einstein makes his Special Theory of Relativity and applies it to mass and energy to make his famous equation, e=mc2. He also wrote four papers for the Annalen der Physik (Annals of Phisics). 1905 is also known as Einstein's "wonderful year". This is important because this year holds one of Einstein's greatest achievements as well as many other, lesser achievments (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
Theodore Roosevelt Earns Nobel Peace Prize
Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to earn a Nobel Prize. He earned it for negotiating peace between Russia and Japan. They had been fighting for over two years over land in Manchuria, China (Zeman and Kelly 83). -
Publishes General Theory of Relativity
Einstein thought his general theory of relativity was a masterpiece. He was convinced that general relativity was true because of its mathematical beauty and since it predicted the perihelion of Mercury's orbit around the sun, which fell short in Newton’s theory, and a measurable deflection of light around the sun when a planet or another sun oribited near the sun. This was confirmed in observations by astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington during the solar eclipse of 1919 (Albert Einstein Biography). -
Recieves Nobel Prize
Albert Einstein recieved the Nobel Physics Prize for 1921 for his research on the photoelectric effect. Origionally, he was going to get the award for his Theory of Relativity, but it had not been proven yet. Since they still wanted to give Einstein a Nobel Prize, they gave it to him for his research on the photoelectric effect. This is important because getting a Nobel Prize is a huge accomplishment. The fact that he got one means that he was an amazing scientist (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
Emigrates to U.S.A.
Once Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany, Einstein decides to leave Germany. He emigrates to the United States, where he had been lecturing for the past few years. Ths important because Einstein moved to a different country to esape the Nazis, because he was Jewish. It also influenced his later life and what he did in America (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
Reccomends Nuclear Research
Once World War II starts, Einstein sends a letter to President Roosevelt. This letter states that Germany will most likely use atomic bombs in their attacks. He reccomends that the United States should begin researching aand constructing atomic bombs. This is important because Einstin wa starting the process to make the ultimate weapon that caused major devestation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
United Nations is Founded
The United Nations was founded to maintain world peace and security President Franklin Roosevelt Josef Stalin, and Winston Churchill all cooperated to make this organization. The U.S. Congress let the United States join because it believed that future wars could be avoided through international cooperation (Zeman 103). -
Philippines Gain Independence from the United States
The Philippines were American territory after the Spanish- American War. Then, the Tydings- McDuffie Act of 1934 gave the Philippines independence after a period of preparation, but they got invaded by Japan at the start of World War 2. In 1946, after the U.S. beat Japan, the Philippines became independent (Zeman and Kelly 83). -
NATO is Formed
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is composed of many Western democracies. By 1954, the members were the United States, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. West Germany joins in 1955, and Spain in 1982 (Zeman and Kelly 123). -
Offered Presidency of Israel
After Chaim Weizmann, Israel's first president, died in 1952, the country's prime minister offered the job to Einstein (Albert Einstein). He denied, and stayed in New Jersey. There he spent his final years. This is important because Einstein was so influental in helping Israel that he was asked to be their leader. Even though he refused, it is still a big deal (Albert Einstein Timeline). -
Vietnam Gains Independence
Vietnam gains its independence from France. It is divided into two countries: North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam is communist while South Vietnam is not communist (Zeman and Kelly 114). -
Died
Albert Einstin died in Princeton, New Jersey. He died of an aneurysm in his house on Mercer Street. He had his brain used in scientific research and the rest of his body was creamated (Clark 344-346). He had refused surgery, saying, "I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly" (Albert Einstein).
