Big Six facts for kids
The term Big Six is used in many different ways. It often refers to a group of six important people, things, or organizations. The meaning of "Big Six" depends on the topic you are looking at.
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What "Big Six" Can Mean
The phrase "Big Six" pops up in many areas, from sports to history and even business. It usually highlights a group of six very important or influential items.
Big Six in History and Activism
The Big Six of the Civil Rights Movement
In the United States, the Big Six refers to six leaders who were very important in the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for African Americans. These leaders helped organize the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. They were:
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- James Farmer
- John Lewis
- A. Philip Randolph
- Roy Wilkins
- Whitney M. Young Jr.
The Big Six of Ghana
In Ghana, a country in West Africa, the Big Six were six leaders who fought for their country's independence from British rule. They were arrested in 1948 by the British colonial government. Their arrest helped spark more protests and eventually led to Ghana becoming an independent nation in 1957. These brave leaders were:
- Kwame Nkrumah
- Ebenezer Ako-Adjei
- Edward Akufo-Addo
- Joseph Boakye Danquah
- Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey
- William Ofori Atta
Big Six in Arts and Literature
Big Six in Romantic Literature
In English literature, the "Big Six" refers to six very important poets from the Romantic period. This was a time when writers focused on emotions, nature, and imagination. These poets helped shape English poetry:
Major Movie Studios
Sometimes, the "Big Six" refers to the largest and most powerful movie studios in Hollywood. These companies produce many of the films you see today. While the exact list can change, some of the historically dominant studios include:
- Warner Bros.
- Paramount Pictures
- 20th Century Fox (now part of Disney)
- Universal Pictures
- Columbia Pictures
- Walt Disney Pictures
Big Six in Sports
Big Six Conference (College Sports)
The Big Six Conference was an athletic league for colleges in the midwestern United States. It was formed in 1928 and included schools like the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri. This conference was an important step in the history of college sports and later became part of what is now the Big 12 Conference.
Australian Cricket Dispute of 1912
In Australian cricket history, the "Big Six" refers to six famous Australian cricketers who had a disagreement with the cricket authorities in 1912. This dispute was about how cricket was managed and how players were treated. It was a big event in Australian sports history at the time.
Big Six in Business and Finance
Big Six Banks of Canada
The Big Six banks are the six largest and most influential banks in Canada. These banks play a huge role in the Canadian economy and provide many financial services to people and businesses across the country.
Big Six Law Firms of Australia
Similarly, the Big Six law firms are the largest and most powerful law firms in Australia. They handle major legal cases and provide legal advice to big companies and governments.
Auditing Firms
In the past, there were "Big Eight" auditing firms, which later became the "Big Six." These were large companies that checked the financial records of other businesses to make sure they were accurate. Today, this group is known as the Big Four.
The Big Six (Children's Novel)
The Big Six is also the name of a popular children's novel written by Arthur Ransome. It is part of his famous "Swallows and Amazons" series. The story is about a group of children who solve a mystery while sailing on a lake.
Nicknames
The term "Big Six" has also been used as a nickname for various things and people, often because of their size or importance:
- Christy Mathewson: A famous American baseball pitcher from the early 1900s, known for his skill.
- Jason Estrada: A professional boxer.
- Baltimore and Ohio Class S locomotive: A type of large steam train engine.
- 2-10-2 type locomotives: Another type of powerful steam train engine, named for its wheel arrangement.