Flag of Peru
Peru celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from Spain in 1821. Lima is the capital of this South American country. Its area is a bit smaller than the area of Alaska, and natural resources include silver, gold, copper, and petroleum. Almost 30 million people live and work there. Idea: The Incas once controlled portions of what is now Peru. Children could find out more about the Incas and the Spanish conquistadors.
Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution was adopted in 1868. It outlined citizenship rights, civil rights, and equal protection under the law. Famous decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, were based on this amendment. Children could learn more at: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/recon/jb_recon_revised_1.html.
Ranger 7 was launched in 1964. Designed to send back images of the moon’s surface, it reached its destination on July 31, 1964. It sent back over 4,000 images of the moon during its last fifteen minutes of travel.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began pumping oil in 1977. Construction began in 1974 in response to the 1973 oil crisis and rising costs of petroleum. Children can learn more at: http://alaska.gov/kids/learn/pipeline.htm.
New Dr. Seuss Book was published in 2015. Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated the book probably between the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Seuss died in 1991. However, his widow found the manuscript just recently. What Pet Should I Get? is about two children who go to the pet store but can buy only one pet. They contemplate traditional pets such as dogs or rabbits. Then unusual, Seuss-invented pets become possibilities.
Natalie Babbitt (born Dayton, Ohio, 1932) is a children’s author and illustrator. She won a 1971 Newbery Honor Award for Kneeknock Rise. Tuck Everlasting, published in 1975, is a novel for the ages.
Thomas Heyward (born near Beaufort, South Carolina, 1746; died March 6, 1809) signed the Declaration of Independence. Representing South Carolina, he was at first reluctant to break away from Great Britain. However, in the end he voted for independence. He was captured by the British, and he was imprisoned until 1781. His plantation was plundered, and the British captured his slaves and sold them to sugar plantations in Jamaica.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (born Southampton, New York, 1929; died New York, New York, May 19, 1994) was the wife of John Kennedy, thirty-fourth president of the United States. She brought back elegance to the White House, and she became very popular throughout the world. After Kennedy was assassinated, she and their two children moved to New York City. In 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping tycoon. He died in 1975. Children could visit a website at: http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=36.
Helen Beatrix Potter (born London, England, 1866; died Sawrey, Lancashire, England, December 22, 1943) was a writer and illustrator. She is famous for her Peter Rabbit books. She wrote 25 books, featuring characters such as Squirrel, Nutkin and Tom Kitten. She wrote the stories originally to please the children of a dear friend. Children could read and enjoy some of her works at: http://www.gutenberg.org/. They can also learn more at: http://www.bookologymagazine.com/resources/authors-emeritus/potter-beatrix/
Flag of Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands celebrate Olaifest, a national holiday. The islands, located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Home to 49,000 people, the islands are about eight times the size of Washington, DC. Torshavn is the capital, and fishing is a major industry.
Hurricane sank ten Spanish treasure galleons off the coast of Florida in 1715. The ships, laden with silver, were returning to Spain. About 700 sailors died, but a few survived by finding lifeboats. Experts state that every once in a while silver coins from the fleet still find their way to shore.
Hawaii’s first sugar plantation was started in 1835. Kamehameha III helped Ladd & Company buy land and start the sugar cane plantation. Sugar production in Hawaii peaked around 1970.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in 1958 when President Eisenhower signed the act. Children can learn more at: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/#.U9MDSONdUSE.