John D. Rockefeller 3^rd was a world renowned philanthropist as well as being an oil tycoon. Rockefeller’s travels throughout the world gave him a better understanding of the problems and issues of other countries. He once said, “ If our country is going to meet its obligations of world leadership, our people our people will have to go abroad and see the world.” As a result, the Rockefeller family donated $8 million towards purchasing land were the United Nations now stands.

John D. Rockefeller the 3^rd was also the grandfather of Winthrop and former U.S. Vice President Nelson was V.P. from 1974-1977 after being appointed by Gerald Ford. He graduated from Dartmouth college in 1930 and then became governor of New York. Although Nelson had many accomplishments he never reached his main goal, to become president of the United States. However, his brother, Winthrop took another political path. After leaving New York and Florida Winthrop moved to Arkansas were he became governor. Winthrop was known for being a partier and playing the banjo. What most people don’t know is that Nelson and Winthrop were the only brothers in U.S. history to serve as governors at the same time.

In 1953, Dwight E. Eisenhower was the president of the United States during this time Nelson Rockefeller was governor of New York and later appointed 41^st Vice President by Gerald Ford. Winthrop was governor of Arkansas and a great influence on Bill Clinton. Winthrop was most likely the Rockefeller that Billy Joel was referring to because he was in the news more often than his brother. Billy Joel’s song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was based on events from his birth in 1949 to the release of his album in 1989. “The Fire” refers to world conflict and cultural issues. These issues cant be blamed on his generation alone, as he quotes in his song, “ always burning since the worlds been turning.”^[1][2][3]