First Parachute
Parachute jump was made for the first time in 1797. André-Jacques Garnerin dropped from a hot air balloon 3,200 feet above the city of Paris. His parachute resembled an umbrella. On the ascent, the parachute was closed. At the designated height, he cut the balloon away, opened the parachute, and landed with the gondola.
New York Metropolitan Opera House in 1883 celebrated its opening with a production of Faust.
John Kennedy
Cuban Missile Crisis began when President Kennedy in 1962 demanded that missiles placed in Cuba be removed. The United States also placed an embargo around the island to prevent other arms entering Cuba. On October 28 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics started to remove the weapons.
The Boats on the River
Marjorie Flack (born Long Island, New York, 1897; died Pigeon Cove, Massachusetts, August 29, 1958) wrote and illustrated books for children. Her works include The Story about Ping and the Angus series. She received a 1947 Caldecott Honor Award for The Boats on the River. Children can learn more at: Marjorie Flack.
Franz Liszt (born Raiding, Hungary, 1811, died Bayre, Bavaria, July 31, 1886) was a pianist and a composer. Probably his most celebrated works are his twenty Hungarian rhapsodies.
Robert Rauschenberg (born Port Arthur, Texas, 1925; died Captiva, Florida, May 12, 2008) was an artist. He often used a variety of materials on one canvas. Children can view some of his works at: Robert Rauschenberg.
Wyeth’s illustration in King Arthur
N. C. Wyeth (born Needham, Massachusetts, 1882; died near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, October, 1945) was an artist and illustrator. Children can view several of his works at: Wyeth Art. They could also learn more at: N. C. Wyeth.
Flag of Libya
Libya celebrates Liberation Day. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, and other north African countries, Libya is slightly larger than the state of Alaska. Over six million people live in Libya, and Tripoli is the capital and largest city. The country exports much of its oil and imports much of its food.
Amadeus Avogadro
National Mole Day marks the celebration of Avogadro’s number, 6.02 x 10^23. The celebration begins at 6:02 AM on 10/23. This year’s theme is “Moley Potter.” The event started in the early 1980’s and is often incorporated into National Chemistry Week. Children could visit a website at: Mole Day.
War of Jenkins’ Ear began in 1739. The war began when a Spanish soldier cut off the ear of English officer Robert Jenkins. American colonial officers and soldiers fought for the British. The war somewhat ended in 1742, but politics swept up further events.
Cliff Swallow Courtesy of Marlin Harms
Swallows leave Capistrano, California, for the winter. They fly to Argentina, but they will return March 19th.
Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson (born Potsdam. New York, 1961) writes books for children and young adults. Her book Speak received a 2000 Michael L. Printz Honor Award. Chains earned the 2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. She also received the Margaret A. Edwards Medal for lifetime achievement in 2009. Young adults can view her website at: Laurie Halse Anderson.
Nicolas Appert (born Chalons-Sur-Marne, France, 1752; died Massy, France, June 3, 1841) is known as the “Father of Canning.” He invented ways of sealing and preserving food in containers. Idea: Children could find out all the ways we preserve food today.
Michael Crichton (born Chicago, Illinois, 1942; died Los Angeles, California, November 4, 2008) was a writer. His works include The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park.
Gertrude Caroline Ederle (born New York, New York, 1906; died Wyckoff, New Jersey, November 30, 2003) was a swimmer. At one point she held 29 national and world records. She won a gold medal and two bronze medals in the 1924 Olympics. In 1926 she became the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. Although the channel is 21 miles wide, a storm actually forced her to swim 35 miles. She returned to New York to a ticker tape parade.
Pelé (born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Tres Coracoes, Brazil, 1940) is a retired soccer player.
Flag of United Nations
United Nations Day celebrates the founding of the organization in 1945. Membership has increased from 51 countries to 193 countries. António Guterres is the current Secretary General. Children could learn more at: United Nations.