Between 1854 and 1921 in the US, over 250,000 children were transported on “Orphan Trains” to be adopted by new families; many found new homes, but, sometimes the “adoptions” were little more than auctions.
child adoption
Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s…
Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, was adopted when he was just 6 weeks old. His adoptive mother died when he was 5, and he was abused by his adoptive father. Hoping he could find better matches for other children in the future, he founded the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in 1992.
Nelson Mandela was adopted by the leader…
Nelson Mandela was adopted by the leader of the Thembu tribe after his father died in 1927. His adopted father, Jongintaba Dalindyebo, saw potential in him and helped encourage him to be a young leader in the tribe.
In 2000, a man named Danny Stewart…
In 2000, a man named Danny Stewart found an abandoned newborn baby in a NYC subway station. The baby went unclaimed for 3 months. Stewart later attended a court hearing, and the judge asked him if he wanted to adopt the infant. Stewart said yes. He and his partner named the baby Kevin.
A family won Extreme Home Makeover due to having adopted…
A family won Extreme Home Makeover due to having adopted 5+ kids. After the house was finished, all of the children were “returned” or sent to other foster parents.