Australian Democracy Essay

Australia is run by a democratic system at all 3 levels of government (Federal, State and Local). Democracy means in Greek â€Å"rule by the governed†. A democrary has key fundermentals that sustains that type of leadership. In a perfect democracy every citizen has equal accessible amount of power and freedom. In Australia everyone Australian citizen over the age of 18 has a single vote to elect persons seeking election to the relevant level of government. This is one great example to the world community of fair rights and freedom. Although a prime minister governs Australia, their power is indirectly only accessible through the people’s vote Australia has grown since the first settlement on the Indigenous lands, we have created states and territories, education for our people and developed a safe community for people to live in. We have grown as a community and we have embraced our culture from this land and from the migrants to the country. In the beginning there were conflicts between the British and Indigenous people as the settlers occupied their traditional territory. This occupation issue has been festering over the years and has resulted in land claims similar to what has happened in Canada. From convicts to well educated and harmonious citizens we have become one of the most respected and multi-cultural communities, unlike other countries where there is discrimination of other cultures or totalitarian regimes in power. These along with lack of education are major reasons that lead to conflict and subsequent war within a country. In Australia we embrace our multicultural society and advertise this as an advantage for migrants to come to our country to boost our declining birth rate and ageing demographics. Being an Australian citizen you have guidelines and responsibilities that you have to follow they are: – Obey the laws and fulfil your duties as an Australian citizen – Enrol on the Electoral Register and vote at federal, state, territory and local government elections and referendums – Serve on a jury, if called upon – Defend Australia, should the need arise From these guidelines you have to respect the law, vote for your leader, become a concerned citizen and defend your country if it is needed. These rights express the freedom and voice that you have in Australia. If an unelected leader ruled you, you wouldn’t have these rights and freedoms, which Australian citizens have. The powers of the federal government are outlined in the constitution. The constitution also outlines the role of States, Judiciary and the Governor-General. This constitution can only be altered by a majority of the states having a majority of voters approving the proposed law, only 1 alteration to the constitution has happened in over 100 years and that was the granted of suffrage to the aborigines. Comparing the Australian system to another country with a totalitarian regime ruling for example in China, there is an estimated 500,000 people that are currently enduring punishment without charge or trial. Whereas in Australia you would go through court to be judged by a jury to receive the punishment required (This is exemplified by the detaining of David Hicks in Guantanomo Bay without a trial, even though he may have committed serious crimes, he should have at least had a fair and proper trial shortly after his arrest). There has been harassment, house arrest and abuse of human rights in China due to protests against the government, an issue that Australia does not face. Another interesting comparison is Fiji a place I have visited. Whilst there I noticed the non-integration of the Fijians and Indians. Consequent to this there is always tension between the two races and that is why there have been many coops over the years. The army has too much power and is able to topple the government, a situation that would be intolerable in Australia. The main issues facing Australia in 2008 are the distribution of wealth, positioning Australia for globalisation, the poor socio-economic status of our indigenous people and subsequent poor health and living condition of the indigenous people, the ageing of Australia and subsequent global warming and its subsequent impacts on the economy and the ecology. With the distribution of wealth, the government has introduced welfare to work measures and due to this and the robust economy 600,000 people have returned to work from welfare in the last 10 years. People on Centrelink payments are basically living day to day and need more money to be able to live a reasonable life style. The downside of this booming economy and persons working is the affordability of housing being an all time low. With globalisation Australia is finding a great proportion of manufactured goods being made in China. In addition our Call Centres are being staffed by more and more overseas staff (mainly Indians). Australia is lucky to be endowed with abundant resources, but this employs very few people. Due to the high cost of our labour market compared with 3rd world countries we need to continually establish niche industries that require highly educated people. The Howard government introduced a taskforce to tackle the problems faced by indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory Emergency Response was primarily initiated to give the aboriginal children a better and safer future. It is early days on this initiative, but this may be a starting point in addressing this imbalance in our society. Australia like many 1st world countries is experiencing an ageing workforce. Couples are having fewer children and later in their life, to assist couples the government has introduced a Baby Bonus payment, increase Child Care payments and has an immigration policy targeted to supplement the declining birth rate. This essay has outlined all the current positive aspects of Australian society, but we need to address the future and the sustainability of our environment for our grandchildren. The federal government is addressing this issue by introducing a carbon-trading scheme. This carbon trading scheme, where the tax on carbon producing goods and services go into a positive influence on the environment, for example planting trees. The Australian government is following leads by other countries in this circumstance. Australia may have its problems e. g Obesity problems, homeless persons, cost of housing. But these pale into insignificance when compared with issues faced by countries with civil wars and health epidemics (such as Aids in Africa). Australians give money to overseas charities, a great example of this was the tsunamis experienced South East Asia. Following this catastrophic event the Charity Organisations were inundated with money. In addition the Federal Government gives substantial sums of money to our Pacific neighbours. Australia although not a power on the world stage can impose a lot of influence in the Pacific Islands. Australia is a far from perfect country but through a democratic system anyone of voting age can do things to address the problems that they see as an important issue. This can be illustrated by the election of the Rudd government on its environmental and workplace relations’ platform. The Howard government argued that without India and China aboard any carbon trading scheme would not work. They are probably right in this issue, so the Rudd government needs to set up a fair and equitable trading scheme and find some way on imposing a carbon tax on any goods and services we get from countries that do not have a scheme in place. Research Essay on Democracy and Citizenship in Australia â€Å"Australia is an excellent example to the world of a democracy which values the participation of its citizens in all levels of government. Discuss† In this essay I will examine the development of Australian society and subsequent rights given to Australian citizens, thus addressing the guiding question as quoted at the top of the paper. Australia is run by a democratic system at all 3 levels of government (Federal, State and Local). Democracy means in Greek â€Å"rule by the governed†. A democrary has key fundermentals that sustains that type of leadership. In a perfect democracy every citizen has equal accessible amount of power and freedom. In Australia everyone Australian citizen over the age of 18 has a single vote to elect persons seeking election to the relevant level of government. This is one great example to the world community of fair rights and freedom. Although a prime minister governs Australia, their power is indirectly only accessible through the people’s vote Australia has grown since the first settlement on the Indigenous lands, we have created states and territories, education for our people and developed a safe community for people to live in. We have grown as a community and we have embraced our culture from this land and from the migrants to the country. In the beginning there were conflicts between the British and Indigenous people as the settlers occupied their traditional territory. This occupation issue has been festering over the years and has resulted in land claims similar to what has happened in Canada. From convicts to well educated and harmonious citizens we have become one of the most respected and multi-cultural communities, unlike other countries where there is discrimination of other cultures or totalitarian regimes in power. These along with lack of education are major reasons that lead to conflict and subsequent war within a country. In Australia we embrace our multicultural society and advertise this as an advantage for migrants to come to our country to boost our declining birth rate and ageing demographics. Being an Australian citizen you have guidelines and responsibilities that you have to follow they are: – Obey the laws and fulfil your duties as an Australian citizen – Enrol on the Electoral Register and vote at federal, state, territory and local government elections and referendums – Serve on a jury, if called upon. – Defend Australia, should the need arise From these guidelines you have to respect the law, vote for your leader, become a concerned citizen and defend your country if it is needed. These rights express the freedom and voice that you have in Australia. If an unelected leader ruled you, you wouldn’t have these rights and freedoms, which Australian citizens have. The powers of the federal government are outlined in the constitution. The constitution also outlines the role of States, Judiciary and the Governor-General. This constitution can only be altered by a majority of the states having a majority of voters approving the proposed law, only 1 alteration to the constitution has happened in over 100 years and that was the granted of suffrage to the aborigines. Comparing the Australian system to another country with a totalitarian regime ruling for example in China, there is an estimated 500,000 people that are currently enduring punishment without charge or trial. Whereas in Australia you would go through court to be judged by a jury to receive the punishment required (This is exemplified by the detaining of David Hicks in Guantanomo Bay without a trial, even though he may have committed serious crimes, he should have at least had a fair and proper trial shortly after his arrest). There has been harassment, house arrest and abuse of human rights in China due to protests against the government, an issue that Australia does not face. Another interesting comparison is Fiji a place I have visited. Whilst there I noticed the non-integration of the Fijians and Indians. Consequent to this there is always tension between the two races and that is why there have been many coops over the years. The army has too much power and is able to topple the government, a situation that would be intolerable in Australia. The main issues facing Australia in 2008 are the distribution of wealth, positioning Australia for globalisation, the poor socio-economic status of our indigenous people and subsequent poor health and living condition of the indigenous people, the ageing of Australia and subsequent global warming and its subsequent impacts on the economy and the ecology. With the distribution of wealth, the government has introduced welfare to work measures and due to this and the robust economy 600,000 people have returned to work from welfare in the last 10 years. People on Centrelink payments are basically living day to day and need more money to be able to live a reasonable life style. The downside of this booming economy and persons working is the affordability of housing being an all time low. With globalisation Australia is finding a great proportion of manufactured goods being made in China. In addition our Call Centres are being staffed by more and more overseas staff (mainly Indians). Australia is lucky to be endowed with abundant resources, but this employs very few people. Due to the high cost of our labour market compared with 3rd world countries we need to continually establish niche industries that require highly educated people. The Howard government introduced a taskforce to tackle the problems faced by indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory Emergency Response was primarily initiated to give the aboriginal children a better and safer future. It is early days on this initiative, but this may be a starting point in addressing this imbalance in our society. Australia like many 1st world countries is experiencing an ageing workforce. Couples are having fewer children and later in their life, to assist couples the government has introduced a Baby Bonus payment, increase Child Care payments and has an immigration policy targeted to supplement the declining birth rate. This essay has outlined all the current positive aspects of Australian society, but we need to address the future and the sustainability of our environment for our grandchildren. The federal government is addressing this issue by introducing a carbon-trading scheme. This carbon trading scheme, where the tax on carbon producing goods and services go into a positive influence on the environment, for example planting trees. The Australian government is following leads by other countries in this circumstance. Australia may have its problems e. g Obesity problems, homeless persons, cost of housing. But these pale into insignificance when compared with issues faced by countries with civil wars and health epidemics (such as Aids in Africa). Australians give money to overseas charities, a great example of this was the tsunamis experienced South East Asia. Following this catastrophic event the Charity Organisations were inundated with money. In addition the Federal Government gives substantial sums of money to our Pacific neighbours. Australia although not a power on the world stage can impose a lot of influence in the Pacific Islands. Australia is a far from perfect country but through a democratic system anyone of voting age can do things to address the problems that they see as an important issue. This can be illustrated by the election of the Rudd government on its environmental and workplace relations’ platform. The Howard government argued that without India and China aboard any carbon trading scheme would not work. They are probably right in this issue, so the Rudd government needs to set up a fair and equitable trading scheme and find some way on imposing a carbon tax on any goods and services we get from countries that do not have a scheme in place.

Series Breaking Bad

Series Breaking Bad â€Å"Breaking Bad† is one of the best drama action series on television which introduces Walter White, a middle-class chemistry teacher who calls himself Heisenberg. Due to the fact that the episodes in the series vary in their dramatic effect and tension, the episodes’ culminations and endings are always unpredictable, and this aspect, along with the focus on the antagonist as the main character, influences the audience’s great interest in the series.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Series Breaking Bad specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Although the series started as the typical television crime show, it developed its dramatic effect in several following episodes. In the first episode, Walter White is portrayed as an ordinary chemistry teacher, and the viewer does not expect that he can become a cool-headed killer and the greatest methamphetamine dealer at the West Coast and in some European coun tries (â€Å"Breaking Bad: Official Site†). The motives for Walter’s crime activities are in the fact that he is diagnosed with lung cancer, and Walter knows that he is dying slowly (Stanley). As a result, Walter becomes ‘bad’ and chooses the easiest way to make money for his family while selling methamphetamine with his ex-student Jessie Pinkman. The former student Jessie Pinkman is the supporting negative character in the show who reflects the true nature of Walter’s actions. Pinkman was a terrible student in high school, and his parents punished him because of the drug abuse. Thus, Walter took Jessie under his wing and taught him how to cook and sell methamphetamine to become richer (â€Å"Breaking Bad: Official Site†; Stanley). It is possible to state that Walter had no intentions to kill, but circumstances forced him to act in such a way. However, the show was in progress, and it became clear that there were no boundaries for Walter. Wal ter’s wife Skyler was also affected by the husband’s negative behaviours (â€Å"Breaking Bad: Official Site†). There are moments in the series when Walter can make the audience angry because he goes too far to protect his methamphetamine business, for instance, from his brother-in-law’s intrusion because he works for the DEA. Even though Walter White is the protagonist, the other vivid characters are Saul Goodman, the dirty lawyer with a good heart, and Gustavo Fring, the international fast food franchise owner and the largest methamphetamine dealer in the North America. With references to these characters, the series can demonstrate whom a person can or cannot trust. The show is interesting because of the preserved dramatic effect and manipulation of the audience’s expectations. It is almost impossible to stop watching the episodes because of the desire to know the characters’ fate and outcomes at the end. Thus, the chemistry teacher destro yed his family life because he did not know where to draw the line. The series can be ranked ten on a scale of ten.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Checklist for a Research Paper The thesis is presented as the final sentence of the introductory paragraph, and the reader can refer to its main points as indicators of the essay’s direction. Topic sentences and body paragraphs are clear and well developed to provide the supporting evidences from the show’s plot and to present the discussion of the evidences. The thesis is completely supported with the necessary details and factual examples while referring to the show’s plot, examples from the episodes, and to the discussion of the episodes in The New York Times’ review. I have used the appropriate number of sources to provide the examples from the series with references to the show’s official site and to cite the critical discussion of the series in The New York Times. All the sources are properly cited according to the MLA format. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and restates the thesis with presenting the personal opinion on the series. The paper is proofread and revised. The work cited page includes every source cited in the text in the correct format. The paper is formatted according to the MLA Style requirements. Breaking Bad: Official Site. 2013. Web. https://www.amc.com/shows/breaking-bad. Stanley, Alessandra. A Clear Ending to a Mysterious Beginning: The Final Episode of ‘Breaking Bad’ Leaves One Question Unanswered. 30 Sept. 2013. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/arts/television/breaking-bad-finale.html?_r=0.

Death and the Movies essays

Death and the Movies essays Everyone has an opinion on where one goes when they die; film makers are no exception. Two extraordinary movies about death are, What Dreams May Come and The Sixth Sense. Both movies, where similar, offer extremely different points of view. Both movies express that people must accept the fact that they are dead. Both of these films have a great love story built into them, but only one has a happy ending. One of these movies takes place in a heaven like atmosphere, where as the other movie takes place in real life. Death is a concept that is not explainable. Movies portray death in multiple ways. In What Dreams May Come, Robin Williams plays a character that dies after his children. He is then in a place that he thinks is a dream. He is actually in a so called painting. In the Sixth Sense, Bruce Willis plays a psychiatrist who is trying to teach a little not to be terrified of everything. What he does not realize is that he is in fact dead and he scares the boy. Robins character knows he is dead but he has to familiarize himself with his new surroundings. However, Bruces character has no inkling that he is dead until the end of the movie. The Sixth Sense shows the concept of staying on Earth after one dies. The deceased either do not know that they are dead or they need to avenge their death. What Dreams May Come goes into detail about where one goes after one dies. This movie explains that every person has their own heaven where they reside. Of course, if one commits suicide, like the mother in the movie, one resides in ones own hell. Each hell is different in that the individual must face all of the fears that they have over and over again. The Sixth Sense did not show heaven or hell, just peoples spirits staying on Earth after they had died. Both of these movies have a love story built into them. In The Sixth Sense, Bruce is married when he dies. He does not realize he is dead, a...

Cultural Anthropology Research Proposal Essay Example

Cultural Anthropology Research Proposal Essay Example Cultural Anthropology Research Proposal Essay Cultural Anthropology Research Proposal Essay Essay Topic: Maus Cultural anthropology is the science of the culture as the complex of material objects, ideas, values, beliefs, and models of behavior in all its forms and all the historical stages of its development. In the bright meaning, cultural anthropology is the science which studies the action of the human being and the results of his activity. As a separate independent discipline, cultural anthropology originated in the USA in the second half of the 19th century. The brightest thinkers of cultural anthropology are Franz Boas, Ruth Benedict, Marcel Mauss, Lucien Levy-Bruhl, Claude Levi-Strauss, etc. It is evident that there is an excellent relation between cultural anthropology and ethnology because both sciences study the human activity through the long run of history. In fact, ethnology is a narrower science which dwells on the language, folklore, material art and probably nothing more. Cultural anthropology has a more profound approach towards the issue because it studies nations and the whole humanity as a single unity. It compares the worldview, material and moral values, factors which influence the human diversity on the planet, etc. Anthropology studies the rational thought so that it becomes connected with psychology, philosophy, and sociology. Cultural anthropology can be called a fundamental discipline without exaggeration because it touches upon the most critical aspects of the human life and all the forms of the human existence. Naturally, such events as Great Geographic Discoveries, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, etc. have caused severe impact on the human mind and behavior and the results of the human activity. No wonder, the science is still quite relevant and generates new and new approaches and methods of the research of the problematic fundamental issues. Cultural anthropology is a complicated and broad issue for the research, but the student can focus on the selected problems which require additional research. The young person can generate an exciting and thought-provoking project which can answer the disturbing questions related to cultural anthropology and the principles of its functioning. The student has the opportunity to observe the selected problem in detail, prove to the professor its relevance, importance, and usefulness for the discipline. Apparently, creativity is always respected so one has the chance to complete a persuasive research proposal which will undoubtedly be accepted by the professor. If writing is difficult, the student can follow the valuable piece of advice borrowed from a free sample research proposal on cultural anthropology written by the experienced writer. The young professional, who requires the hint for writing a well-structured and formatted text, can find the quality solution to his trouble in a free example research proposal on cultural anthropology found on the Internet.

ETHNIC STUDIES WORD DOC Essay

ETHNIC STUDIES WORD DOC Essay ETHNIC STUDIES WORD DOC Essay Ethnic Studies: An inclusive system of education for all students By: Cecilia Rasgado The United States is a nation of immigrants, with a population composed of people with various ethnicities and cultures. As the demographic face of our nation continues to change and rapidly grow in numbers, it’s evident that our education system needs to adjust to these transformations by providing a higher quality education for all students. Ethnic studies, the study race and ethnicity, is very uncommon in schools across the country and usually not available till high school as an elective but not required. Requiring ethnic studies in schools at any grade level can benefit students of all races and ethnic backgrounds academically as well as socially. Educational institutions across the country continue to highlight the contributions of the dominant group, higher income people who tend to be white, and has yet to reconstruct its system to include all marginalized people. Students of color often disengage from academic learning because they find the curriculum in school to be unrelatable to their lives and not pertain to their cultural background. Therefore, they â€Å"do not know how to take the initiative to become responsible for their own education, have input on what they learn, or participate in the construction of their own knowledge† (Cammarota and Romero 19). This does more than silencing their knowledge and intellectual capacities, it erases their potential as human beings. Ethnic studies should â€Å"exist in part because students of color have demanded an education that is relevant, meaningful, and affirming of their identities† (Sleeter 7). Ethnic studies can socially benefit our society as a whole by creating a better understanding of one another and greater awareness of the injustices that continue to exist in our country. â€Å"There is considerable research evidence that†¦ ethnic studies curricula have positive academic and social outcomes for students†¦both students of color and white students have been found t o benefit from ethnic studies† (Sleeter 8). By challenging students to reconsider how American society treats subordinates groups of people, it causes positive action for change and more inclusion in the community. These â€Å"lessons teaching about racism†¦improve racial attitudes among white children, allowing them to see how racism affects everybody and offering them a vision for addressing it† (Sleeter). A harmonious America can move forward and advance more than social structures with other issues if we accept our differences. In Arizona, the drop out rate has been disproportionately high for minority and poor students prior to ethnic studies. Students who were on the verge of dropping out began participating in schools and the disturbing trends decreased with record high college attendance. Clearly, â€Å"by reflecting the realities of students’ lives, including

Ashamed

Ashamed A while back I approached C Hope and asked, â€Å"If you could special order your next article for FFW, what would it be about and when would you need it She replied, â€Å"I cannot begin to tell you the perfect article unless it was I’ve been reading the FundsforWriters newsletter and absorbing C Hope’s advice for nearly 20 years. I should have known better before sending the first email. I was brazen, albeit dumb, enough to send yet another. â€Å"You answered exactly what I asked, but what I really wanted to know is what kind of article could I write for you? Im basically asking for an assignment. I realize you dont typically do that, so Im kind of asking you to push the boundaries a bit because Im special and you love me?† I said those words! She responded (I suspect she rolled her eyes while doing so), â€Å"I cant begin to tell you what to write for FFW. I depend on writers relying upon their strengths to pitch the right pieces.† I know the types of articles that comprise the FFW newsletter. I have developed a relationship with C Hope over the years. I hold her in the highest regard and respect her implicitly. She pours her entire heart and soul into helping her readers succeed. It is because I know this, I am ashamed of my actions. It is why I decided to write this, even though it isn’t the â€Å"perfect† article she described. I learned three vital lessons. BE A PROFESSIONAL Whether you have been reading FFW for a week, or a decade, you are reading it because your goal is writing for money given the title of the newsletter is â€Å"FundsforWriters.† Writing for money, means you are running your own business. Unless your niche is business writing, it can be easy to slip into a conversational tone when sending queries and emails. When it concerns your writing business, keep correspondence professional. DON’T ABUSE YOUR NETWORK One of the golden rules in business †¦ in life, is to network. It is equally as important not to abuse your network. It is acceptable to ask questions or for guidance in their area of expertise. It is okay to ask for a special favor occasionally. It is never okay to say, â€Å"I’m asking you to push the boundaries a bit because I’m special/new/learning/don’t know what to do/know you.† TAKE YOURSELF SERIOUSLY The internet is inundated with ezines, newsletters, blogs, coaches, consultants, and advisors. Glean knowledge from these sources to build your writing business. FFW has printed numerous articles on the importance of queries, pitches and writers’ guidelines. Had I been taking myself seriously, I would never have sent the email. I would have gone to the website and searched the archives and the writers’ guidelines. Be willing to research. Be willing to put in the elbow grease. Take responsibility. Own your process. Don’t end up ashamed.

Biography of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock n Roll

Biography of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley (Jan. 8, 1935–Aug 16, 1977) was a singer, actor, and cultural icon of the 20th century. Presley sold more than 1 billion records and made 33 movies, but his cultural impact far exceeds even those numbers. Fast Facts: Elvis Presley Known For: A rock n roll iconAlso Known As: The King of Rock n RollBorn: Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, MississippiParents: Gladys and Vernon PresleyDied: Aug 16, 1977 in Memphis, TennesseeSongs: Love Me Tender, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Can’t Help Falling in LoveMovies: Kid Galahad, Blue Hawaii, Jailhouse Rock, King CreoleSpouse: Priscilla Beaulieu PresleyChildren: Lisa Marie PresleyNotable Quote: Rock n roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you cant help but move to it. Thats what happens to me. I cant help it. Early Life Elvis Presley was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley in the couples two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a difficult delivery. Presleys twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, and Gladys was so ill from the birth that she was taken to the hospital. She wasnt able to have more children. Gladys Presley doted on her sandy-haired, blue-eyed son and worked hard to keep her family together. She struggled when her husband was sentenced to three years in the Mississippi state penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, for forgery after changing the amount on a check. With him in prison, Gladys couldnt earn enough to keep the house, so she and her 3-year-old moved in with relatives, the first of many moves for the family. Learning Music Since they moved often, only two things were consistent in Presleys childhood: his parents and music. With his parents usually at work, Presley found music wherever he could. He listened to music in church and taught himself to play the church piano. When Presley was 8, he often hung out at the local radio station. For his 11th birthday, his parents gave him a guitar. By high school, his family had moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Although Presley joined R.O.T.C., played football, and worked as an usher at a movie theater, his activities didnt stop other students from picking on him. Presley was different. He dyed his hair black and wore it in a style that made him look more like a comic book character than other kids in his school. So he surrounded himself with music, listening to the radio and buying records. After the family moved to Lauderdale Courts, an apartment complex, he often played with other aspiring musicians who lived there. Although segregation was still a fact in the south, Presley crossed the color line and listened to African-American artists such as B.B. King. He often visited Beale Street in the African-American section of town to watch black musicians play. Big Break By the time Presley graduated from high school, he could sing in various styles, from hillbilly to gospel. He also had a style of singing and moving that was all his own. He had combined what he saw and heard into a unique new sound. The first to realize this was Sam Phillips at Sun Records. After spending the year after high school working a day job and playing at small clubs at night, Presley received a call from Sun Records on June 6, 1954. Phillips wanted Presley to sing a new song. When that didnt work out, he set Presley up with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. After a month of practicing, they recorded Thats All Right (Mama). Phillips convinced a friend to play it on the radio, and it was an instant hit. Moore, Black, and drummer D.J. Fontana continued to back Presley on dozens of legendary rock n roll songs over the next decade. Presley quickly built an audience. On Aug. 15, 1954, he signed with Sun Records for four albums. He then began making appearances on popular radio shows such as Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana Hayride. Presley was so successful on Hayride that he was hired to perform every Saturday for a year. He quit his job and toured the south during the week, playing anywhere there was a paying audience, then returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, every Saturday for Hayride. High school and college students went wild for Presley, screaming and cheering and mobbing him backstage. He put his soul into every performance and moved his body- a lot. Presley gyrated his hips, jiggled his legs, and fell to his knees on the floor. Adults thought he was lewd and suggestive; teenagers loved him. As Presleys popularity soared, he hired Colonel Tom Parker as his manager. In some ways, Parker took advantage of Presley, including taking a generous cut of his proceeds, but he steered Presley to mega-stardom. Stardom Presleys popularity soon became more than Sun Records could handle, so Phillips sold Presleys contract to RCA Victor for $35,000, more than any record company had ever paid for a singer. To further boost Presleys popularity, Parker put him on television. On Jan. 28, 1956, Presley made his first television appearance on Stage Show, followed by appearances on The Milton Berle Show, The Steve Allen Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show. In March 1956, Parker arranged an audition with Presley at Paramount studios. Studio executives liked Presley so much that they signed him to do his first movie, Love Me Tender (1956), with an option for six more. Two weeks after his audition, Presley received his first gold record for Heartbreak Hotel, which had sold 1 million copies. Presleys popularity was skyrocketing and money was flowing. He bought his mother the house he had promised her and in March 1957, he purchased Graceland- a mansion with 13 acres of land- for $102,500. He then had the entire mansion remodeled to his tastes. Army Just as it seemed like everything Presley touched turned to gold, on Dec. 20, 1957, he received a draft notice. Presley could have been excused from military service, but he chose to enter the Army as a regular soldier. He was stationed in Germany. With a nearly two-year hiatus from his career, many people, including Presley, wondered if the world would forget him. But Parker worked hard to keep Presleys name and image before the public, succeeding so well that some said Presley was as popular after his military experience as before it. While Presley was in the Army, two major personal events occurred. The first was the death of his mother, which devastated him. The second was meeting and dating 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, whose father was also stationed in Germany. They married eight years later, on May 1, 1967, and had one child, a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley, on Feb. 1, 1968. Movies Following Presleys discharge in 1960, he launched into recording songs and making movies. It had become obvious to Parker and others that anything bearing Presleys name would make money, so Presley was pushed to make movies in quantity rather than quality. His most successful movie,  Blue Hawaii (1961), became a template for many that followed. He grew increasingly upset about the poor quality of his movies and songs. From 1960 until 1968, Presley made few public appearances, focusing on making movies. In all, he made 33 movies. Comeback While Presley was busy making movies, other musicians took the stage, some of whom, including the  Beatles, sold lots of records and threatened to make Presley share his title of King of Rock n Roll,- if not steal it. Presley had to do something to keep his crown. In December 1968, he dressed in black leather and made an hour-long television special titled  Elvis. Calm, sexy, and humorous, he wowed the crowd. The comeback special energized Presley. He returned to recording songs and doing live performances. In July 1969, Parker booked Presley at the largest venue in Las Vegas, the new International Hotel. His shows were huge successes and the hotel booked Presley for four weeks a year through 1974. The rest of the year he toured. Health Since he became popular, Presley had worked at breakneck speed, recording songs, making movies, and giving concerts with little to no rest. To maintain that pace, he started taking prescription drugs. By the early 1970s, continued drug use had begun to cause problems. Presley started having severe mood swings with aggressive and erratic behavior, and he gained a lot of weight. Presley and Priscilla had grown apart, and in January 1973, they divorced. His drug addiction became worse; he was hospitalized several times for overdoses and other health problems. His performances began to suffer; on many occasions, he mumbled through songs. Death On Aug. 16, 1977, Presleys girlfriend Ginger Alden found  him  on the bathroom floor at Graceland. He wasnt breathing. He was taken to the hospital, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at 42. His death initially was attributed to cardiac arrhythmia, but the cause later was changed to a lethal mix of prescription drugs.   Legacy Elvis Presley was one of the few artists to become known worldwide by just his first name and whose talent and accomplishments made him pop culture royalty. His fame has endured. Twenty-five years after his death, RCA released an album of his No.1 records, titled  ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits. The album debuted at No. 1 on the charts, selling half a million copies in its first week. Having an album debut atop the U.S. charts was something Presley hadnt accomplished while he was alive. It opened at No. 1 in 16 other countries, including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. Sources Forever Elvis. Legacy.com.The Legacy of Elvis Presley. HowStuffWorks.Kreps, Daniel. â€Å"Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley Guitarist, Dead at 84.† Rolling Stone, 25 June 2018.