October 2 marks the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Arguably the most influential world leader of the 20th century, the Mahatma (or great soul) led India in its struggle to gain independence from Great Britain throughout the 1920's, 30's and 40's. Embracing a "simple life," he is often pictured as a small man wearing the traditional homespun garb of his native India. To convince the British Empire that it must relinquish control over his country, Gandhi developed a technique called "nonviolent resistance" which employed such tactics as protests, marches, boycotts, and hunger strikes. A deeply religious man, Gandhi rejected the Hindu caste system, which treated some members of his society as "untouchables," and urged all Indians to treat one another with respect and human dignity. During the civil war that surrounded the granting of India's independence in 1948, Gandhi brokered peace accords between the two warring religious factions that dominated his country, the Hindus and the Muslims. He was killed by an assassin's bullet while conducting public prayer in 1948.

Your job this week is to learn more about this amazing man. Visit the links below. Find a quote, some biographical information, or a photograph of the Mahatma. Then spend a few minutes reflecting upon the research you've gathered. Explain why you selected your particular quote, fact, or photo. How does what you've selected touch you?

Welcome to Mahatma Gandhi One Spot Complete Information Website

IEER: Selected Quotes of Mahatma Gandhi

Quotes from Gandhi