Theodor Seuss Geisel, better know to us as Dr. Seuss, was born in 1904. Therefore, he grew up during World War I as an American with a German heritage and last name, which meant he and his family were looked upon with suspicion. This kicked off a series of events that would end up affecting Geisel for the rest of his life.
But the Geisel's bled red, white, and blue (three colors Seuss would often experience when being chased by brick-wielding bullies). To prove this, a 14-year-old Seuss started selling war bonds through his scout troop. His biggest customer was his own granddad, who spent $1,000 (which, in 1918 money, could buy you a lot of cocaine) to convince their neighbors their house wasn't worth firebombing. The tactic paid off: Seuss became one of the ten top salesboys to get a medal from none other than former President Teddy Roosevelt, cartoonish alligator wrestler and hero to every young boy in the country.
The experience was not a good one. Read what happened at that medal ceremony, which led to a lifetime of stage fright, and the reason Dr. Seuss did not read his beloved works in public, at Cracked.
"My father always wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding and the baby at every christening."Alice Roosevelt Longworth