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118 illustrations
In 1939, Marian Anderson was one of the most celebrated contraltos in the world. She had performed across Europe to standing ovations. But when she...
In the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal with everything he had trained for within reach....
On September 4, 1993, Jim Abbott took the mound for the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Indians. Abbott was born without a right hand....
In 1995, astronomer Robert Williams made a decision that many of his colleagues thought was foolish — maybe even reckless. As director of the Space...
In 1991, a 21-year-old Finnish student named Linus Torvalds posted a message to a computer newsgroup announcing a small personal project — a free operating...
In the lightless depths of the ocean, where sunlight never penetrates and pressure would crush an unprotected human being, something remarkable happens: most creatures glow....
In 1984, Australian physician Dr. Barry Marshall was convinced that stomach ulcers were caused not by stress or spicy food, as the medical establishment insisted,...
Late one afternoon, a group of friends gathered for a backyard celebration. Amidst the laughter and chatter, they also marked the end of a long journey. One of them, Sarah, had recently completed her first marathon—a feat she had set...
In 1991, scientists sealed themselves inside Biosphere 2, a massive glass structure in the Arizona desert designed to replicate Earth's ecosystems. They planted trees, controlled...
A few months ago, I had the joy of meeting a vibrant young woman named Lydia at a community event. She had recently moved to our town, leaving behind everything familiar in pursuit of her dreams. Like many of us,...
There was once a young woman named Sarah, who lived in a small town nestled by steep mountains. For years, she had a deep-seated fear of heights, a fear that kept her from exploring the beauty of her surroundings. One...
Rebecca stood at the edge of her garden, trembling not from the chill of the morning air but from the weight of uncertainty that had become her daily companion. After a year of battling the shadows of depression, she had...
Last spring, our church community rallied around a family facing an unimaginable trial. The Johnsons, known for their vibrant faith and readiness to serve others, received devastating news: their youngest son, Ethan, had been diagnosed with a rare form of...
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond entered the 400-meter semifinal as a legitimate medal contender. Then, at the 250-meter mark, a sharp...
On Easter Sunday, 1939, contralto Marian Anderson stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and sang to 75,000 people. What most forget is what...
NASA's Mars rover *Perseverance* cannot call home when it gets into trouble. The radio signal between Earth and Mars takes anywhere from 5 to 20...
On August 3, 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semi-final at the Barcelona Olympics. He was running the race of his...
On August 25, 1991, a twenty-one-year-old Finnish computer science student named Linus Torvalds posted a brief message to an online message board. "I'm doing a...
On July 27, 1996, the United States women's gymnastics team stood on the edge of history at the Atlanta Olympics. They had never won a...
In the summer of 2021, Simone Biles stood at the top of the gymnastics world. She was the most decorated gymnast in history, the overwhelming...
In 1984, Australian physician Barry Marshall was convinced he had discovered the true cause of stomach ulcers — a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called *Helicobacter pylori*. The...
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn as the first Black man to play Major League Baseball in the modern...
There was a humble pastor in a small town who had a remarkable gift for connecting with people. Every Sunday, he would stand at the back of the church, shaking hands and sharing hugs with everyone. One day, as he...
In software development, there's a moment every engineer dreads — the moment you press "deploy." You've written the code, run the tests, reviewed it a...