Enormously popular child star of the Thirties, Shirley Temple could sing, dance, and charm her way into moviegoers' hearts and wallets. Some of her famous movies include "Little Miss Marker" and "The Little Colonel". After her movie career, she became active in national politics and was U.S. ambassador to Ghana. Birthplace: Santa Monica.
Cesar Chavez organized the Californian farm workers into a strong labor union. The union instituted national boycotts against lettuce and grapes grown under what they felt were unfair labor practices. Birthplace: Yuma, Arizona.
William Randolph Hearst was a journalist who built a huge newspaper publishing empire during the first half of the century. His papers were often criticized for their sensationalism. The famous movie "Citizen Kane" was based on his life. Birthplace: San Francisco.
Marilyn Monroe was the stage name of Norma Jean Baker. She was a famous model and film actress who starred in the movies "Bus Stop", "Some Like It Hot", "The Misfits" and others. Birthplace: Los Angeles.
As the thirty-seventh president of the United States, Richard M. Nixon encouraged opening relations with the PeopleÕs Republic of China. His term also witnessed the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam. Nixon was forced to resign under the threat of impeachment due to his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Birthplace: Yorba Linda.
Though born in Illinois, Ronald Reagan's great fame came to him in California. After a successful movie career, he served as governor of the state from 1967 to 1975. He then went on to serve two terms as our fortieth president of the United States. Birthplace: Tampico, Illinois.
The first United States woman in space, Sally Ride flew on the Challenger mission in 1983. She is an astronaut and test pilot for NASA. Birthplace: Encino.
John Steinbeck wrote the classic novels "The Grapes of Wrath", "Of Mice And Men" and "East of Eden". His use of realistic characters and exploration of social problems won him the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962. Birthplace: Salinas.
Supreme Court Justice of the United States from 1953 to 1969, Earl Warren was instrumental in many difficult decisions, including the Miranda rights case. He was also governor of California for ten years. Birthplace: Los Angeles.
