Main Page

New World Encyclopedia integrates facts with values. Written by certified experts.

     Template:Current article week 25

Featured Article: Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II

Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1926 – May 28, 1971) was an American soldier in World War II, who later became an actor, appearing in 44 American films. He also found success as a country music composer. In 27 months of combat action in World War II, Murphy became the most decorated United States combat soldier in United States military history. He received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest award for valor, along with 32 additional U.S. medals, five from France, and one from Belgium. Murphy had a successful movie career, including the extremely popular To Hell and Back (1955), based on his memoir of the same name (1949), and starred in 33 Hollywood Westerns.

Popular Article: Scramble for Africa

Caricature in Punch of Cecil John Rhodes, after he announced plans for a telegraph line and railroad from Cape Town to Cairo.

The Scramble for Africa (or the Race for Africa) was the proliferation of conflicting European claims to African territory during the New Imperialism period, between the 1880s and the start of World War I. Some Europeans argued that by colonizing Africa, they were also exporting civilization to a continent which they regarded as evolutionary backward and undeveloped. It was a European responsibility to act as trustees of Africa until Africans were mature enough to govern themselves. However, colonization was in reality driven by commercial interests. Europe would benefit enormously from its exploitation of Africa.

Did you know?

George Jones and Tammy Wynette recorded many hit duets that made the couple the undisputed king and queen of country music (source: George Jones)

> more interesting facts