Born David Gruen in the small Polish town of Plonsk, David Ben-Gurion is introduced to Zionism at an early age, listening from his bedroom to meetings of the local Zionist group to which his father belonged.
After moving to Palestine, he rises quickly in Zionist politics, first becoming head of the labor party, then the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency, and finally the State of Israel.
David Ben-Gurion will serve as prime minister for over a decade.
Photo credit: Central Zionist Archives
