Cold War Term used to describe the post-World War II struggle between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Term used to describe the post-World War II struggle between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Lasted from the mid-1940s until the end of the Lasted from the mid-1940s until the end of the International politics were heavily shaped by the intense rivalry between these two great blocs of power International politics were heavily shaped by the intense rivalry between these two great blocs of power Ignited the Space Race Ignited the Space Race

Sputnik 1 October 1957; the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first man-made object to orbit Earth. October 1957; the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first man-made object to orbit Earth. The news release from Russia swept around the world. American skies had been violated as the Sputnik flew directly over America. The event brought fear and suspicion into the hearts of Americans who came to view their World War II ally as an enemy who might drop an atomic bomb on them. The news release from Russia swept around the world. American skies had been violated as the Sputnik flew directly over America. The event brought fear and suspicion into the hearts of Americans who came to view their World War II ally as an enemy who might drop an atomic bomb on them.

Homer Hickam Grew up in a Coal town in West Virginia during the Cold War. Grew up in a Coal town in West Virginia during the Cold War. The son of a coal miner who expected him to become a coal miner like the rest of the boys in the town. The son of a coal miner who expected him to become a coal miner like the rest of the boys in the town. Was inspired by the launch of the Sputnik (October, 1957) Was inspired by the launch of the Sputnik (October, 1957) He and 5 friends decided to make their own rockets. He and 5 friends decided to make their own rockets. Eventually Homer became an engineer with NASA. Eventually Homer became an engineer with NASA.

Life as a Miner Everything in a coal town was owned by the coal company including the houses. Everything in a coal town was owned by the coal company including the houses. Work was very dangerous. If a miner was injured and could not work, his family was forced to move. Work was very dangerous. If a miner was injured and could not work, his family was forced to move. If a miner died on the job, his family had two weeks before they had to move. If a miner died on the job, his family had two weeks before they had to move.

Life as a Miner Inside the mine, coal dust pollutes the air. Inside the mine, coal dust pollutes the air. Many coal miners suffer from ‘black lung disease’ caused from inhaling coal dust. Many coal miners suffer from ‘black lung disease’ caused from inhaling coal dust.

Homer Senior Homer’s dad died Black Lung Disease. Homer’s dad died Black Lung Disease.

Rescue Aids Homer Hickam Sr. considered the small ventilation shafts as a place miners could use to escape when/if the mine collapsed. He designed steel casings as emergency man lifts to the surface.

Mine Rescue

Themes from the Movie First space satellite, an important even in American history. First space satellite, an important even in American history. Rewards of working toward goals against daunting odds. Rewards of working toward goals against daunting odds. Teacher’s influence on their students. Teacher’s influence on their students. Son’s need for his father’s approval. Son’s need for his father’s approval. Value of people who are different from most of us. Value of people who are different from most of us. Failures are building blocks to learn upon. Failures are building blocks to learn upon. The power of community support. The power of community support.

Interesting Facts Through Homer’s initiation, a calculus class was offered for a maximum enrollment of 6 students (presumed to be the ‘Rocket Boys), however, one girl applied and had higher marks than Homer; thus excluding him from a position in the class. Through Homer’s initiation, a calculus class was offered for a maximum enrollment of 6 students (presumed to be the ‘Rocket Boys), however, one girl applied and had higher marks than Homer; thus excluding him from a position in the class. Homer found a calculus text at home with notes in his father’s handwriting. His father had taught himself calculus and, with the help of his classmates, Homer did the same. Homer found a calculus text at home with notes in his father’s handwriting. His father had taught himself calculus and, with the help of his classmates, Homer did the same. Homer did not have to quit school to work in the mine. In reality, his father would never have allowed that, but this story line does ring true of a former time when owners provided no benefits for the miners or their families. Homer did not have to quit school to work in the mine. In reality, his father would never have allowed that, but this story line does ring true of a former time when owners provided no benefits for the miners or their families. Homer worked in the mine for one summer after his first year of collage, but he was not forced to take the job. Homer worked in the mine for one summer after his first year of collage, but he was not forced to take the job.

From the Book to the Movie Homer originally wrote a short article for a magazine. To his surprise, the magazine contacted him for more information and pictures so that they could run the article. Homer originally wrote a short article for a magazine. To his surprise, the magazine contacted him for more information and pictures so that they could run the article. Homer was astonished at the reaction when the article came out. Letters poured in from all over the country. "People wrote that the story gave them hope, because if we, the children of coal miners, could not only aspire to such heights, but achieve them, then anything was possible," he says. Homer was astonished at the reaction when the article came out. Letters poured in from all over the country. "People wrote that the story gave them hope, because if we, the children of coal miners, could not only aspire to such heights, but achieve them, then anything was possible," he says.

rent and view October Sky rent and view October Sky Jake Gyllenhaal - Homer "Sonny" Hickam, Jr. Chris Cooper - John Hickam Natalie Canerday - Elsie Hickam Laura Dern - Miss Riley Directed by: Joe Johnston Universal Pictures, 1998 Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes