Cold WarCold War Term used to describe the Term used to describe the

post-World War II struggle post-World War II struggle between the United States and between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist the Union of Soviet Socialist

Republics (USSR).Republics (USSR). Lasted from the mid-1940s Lasted from the mid-1940s

until the end of the 1991.until the end of the 1991. International politics were International politics were

heavily shaped by the intense heavily shaped by the intense rivalry between these two great rivalry between these two great blocs of power blocs of power

Ignited the Space RaceIgnited the Space Race

Sputnik 1Sputnik 1 October 1957; the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first October 1957; the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first

man-made object to orbit Earth. man-made object to orbit Earth. The news release from Russia swept around the world. The news release from Russia swept around the world.

American skies had been violated as the Sputnik flew directly American skies had been violated as the Sputnik flew directly over America. The event brought fear and suspicion into the over America. The event brought fear and suspicion into the hearts of Americans who came to view their World War II ally as hearts of Americans who came to view their World War II ally as an enemy who might dropan enemy who might dropan atomic bomb on them.an atomic bomb on them.

Homer HickamHomer Hickam Grew up in a Coal town in Grew up in a Coal town in

West Virginia during the Cold West Virginia during the Cold War.War.

The son of a coal miner who The son of a coal miner who expected him to become a coal expected him to become a coal miner like the rest of the boys miner like the rest of the boys

in the townin the town. . Was inspired by the launch of Was inspired by the launch of

the Sputnik (October, 1957)the Sputnik (October, 1957) He and 5 friends decided to He and 5 friends decided to

make their own rockets.make their own rockets. Eventually Homer became an Eventually Homer became an

engineer with NASA.engineer with NASA.

Life as a MinerLife as a Miner

Everything in a coal town was Everything in a coal town was owned by the coal company owned by the coal company including the houses.including the houses.

Work was very dangerous. If a Work was very dangerous. If a miner was injured and could miner was injured and could not work, his family was forced not work, his family was forced to move. to move.

If a miner died on the job, his If a miner died on the job, his family had two weeks before family had two weeks before they had to move.they had to move.

Life as a MinerLife as a Miner

Inside the mine, coal dust Inside the mine, coal dust pollutes the air.pollutes the air.

Many coal miners suffer Many coal miners suffer from ‘black lung disease’ from ‘black lung disease’ caused from inhaling coal caused from inhaling coal dust.dust.

Homer SeniorHomer Senior

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

Rescue AidsRescue Aids

Homer Hickam Sr. consideredHomer Hickam Sr. considered

the small ventilation shafts as athe small ventilation shafts as a

place miners could use to place miners could use to

escape when/if the mine escape when/if the mine collapsed.collapsed.

He designed steelHe designed steel

casings as emergency mancasings as emergency man

lifts to the surface.lifts to the surface.

Mine RescueMine Rescue

1951 2002

Themes from the MovieThemes 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 FactsInteresting Facts Through Homer’s initiation, a calculus class was offered for Through Homer’s initiation, a calculus class was offered for

a maximum enrollment of 6 students (presumed to be the a maximum enrollment of 6 students (presumed to be the ‘Rocket Boys), however, one girl applied and had higher ‘Rocket Boys), however, one girl applied and had higher marks than Homer; thus excluding him from a position in marks than Homer; thus excluding him from a position in the class.the class.

Homer found a calculus text at home with notes in his Homer found a calculus text at home with notes in his father’s handwriting. His father had taught himself calculus father’s handwriting. His father had taught himself calculus and, with the help of his classmates, Homer did the same.and, with the help of his classmates, Homer did the same.

Homer did not have to quit school to work in the mine. In Homer did not have to quit school to work in the mine. In reality, his father would never have allowed that, but this reality, his father would never have allowed that, but this story line does ring true of a former time when owners story line does ring true of a former time when owners provided no benefits for the miners or their families.provided no benefits for the miners or their families.

Homer worked in the mine for one summer after his first Homer worked in the mine for one summer after his first year of collage, but he was not forced to take the job.year of collage, but he was not forced to take the job.

From the Book to the MovieFrom the Book to the Movie Homer originally wrote a short article for a magazine. To his Homer originally wrote a short article for a magazine. To his

surprise, the magazine contacted him for more information surprise, the magazine contacted him for more information and pictures so that they could run the article.and pictures so that they could run the article.

Homer was astonished at the reaction when the article came Homer was astonished at the reaction when the article came out. Letters poured in from all over the country. "People out. Letters poured in from all over the country. "People wrote that the story gave them hope, because if we, the wrote that the story gave them hope, because if we, the children of coal miners, could not only aspire to such children of coal miners, could not only aspire to such heights, but achieve them, then anything was possible," he heights, but achieve them, then anything was possible," he says.says.

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