North Star (disambiguation) facts for kids

The North Star is a very important star in our sky. It's the brightest star that appears closest to the Earth's North Pole. If you were standing right at the North Pole, the North Star would be almost directly above your head! For a long time, sailors and explorers used the North Star to find their way because it always stays in the same spot in the northern sky.

The name "North Star" can also refer to many other things, from places to trains and even movies!

Places Named North Star

Many places around the world have been named "North Star." This often happens because the North Star helps people find their way, or it represents something important and guiding.

North Star Towns and Areas

In the United States, you can find several towns and areas named North Star:

• North Star, California
• North Star, Delaware
• North Star, Ohio
• North Star, Wisconsin
• North Star Township, Michigan
• North Star Mall, a big shopping center in San Antonio, Texas

Newspapers and Publications

The name "North Star" has also been used for important newspapers.

The Anti-Slavery Newspaper

One famous newspaper was the North Star. It was an anti-slavery newspaper published from 1847 to 1851. A brave man named Frederick Douglass, who had escaped slavery, started and published this newspaper. He used it to fight for freedom and equality for all people.

Transportation and Travel

The name "North Star" has been given to many different types of transportation, from ships to trains and even buses!

Ships and Vessels

• The MS North Star is a small ship used for special trips to faraway places.
• During World War II, the U.S. Navy used a ship called the North Star. It was later renamed USS Crossbill.

Aircraft and Trains

• The North Star (aircraft) was a passenger airplane made by a company called Canadair. It was used by Trans Canada Airlines.
• The North Star was also the name of several famous trains on the Great Western Railway (GWR) in the United Kingdom. One of the first was the North Star (broad gauge locomotive), built in 1837 by Robert Stephenson.
• North Star (Amtrak) was a train route in Minnesota, USA.

Bus Services

• In Auckland, New Zealand, "North Star" is a brand name for bus services. These buses help people travel between the northern suburbs and the city center.

Entertainment and Media

The name "North Star" has inspired many movies, TV shows, and songs.

Movies and Films

• North Star (1925 film) was a movie directed by Paul Powell.
• The North Star (1943 film) was a film directed by Lewis Milestone.
• North Star (1996 film) was a movie directed by Nils Gaup.

TV Episodes and Songs

• "North Star" is the name of an episode from the TV show Star Trek: Enterprise.
• Many musicians have written songs called "North Star." These include Robert Fripp, Magnolia Electric Co., and Philip Glass. Mike Oldfield also covered a song by Philip Glass called "North Star."

Books and Novels

• Under the North Star is a series of three novels by a Finnish author named Väinö Linna. They were published between 1959 and 1962.

Companies and Businesses

Several companies have used the name "North Star."

Mining and Manufacturing

• North Star Mine was a famous mine in Grass Valley, California, USA. It also had a powerhouse and a house connected to it.
• North Star Computers was a company that started in 1976.
• North Star is also a brand of shoes owned by Bata Shoes.

Education and Schools

The name "North Star" is also used in education.

School Districts and Programs

• The North Star School District is a group of schools in Pennsylvania, USA.
• North Star (education) is a special kind of learning program in Hadley, Massachusetts, where students learn outside of traditional schools.

Sports Teams

In sports, "North Star" has been part of team names.

Hockey Teams

• The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967 to 1993.
• The Kildonan North Stars were another hockey team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in Canada.

Other Uses of North Star

The name "North Star" is also used in other interesting ways.

Nicknames and Projects

• "North Star State" is a nickname for the U.S. state of Minnesota.
• "VMware Project North Star" was a special codename for a product called VMware ThinApp, which helps computer programs run easily.