New Year’s Day Is Celebrated around the World

 Events
Jan 012024
 
Mummer's Day Parade courtesy of Carol Highsmith

Mummers Parade courtesy of Carol Highsmith

New Year’s Day is celebrated around the world.

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sponsors a Mummers Parade.
  • In Armenia mothers knead bread dough, adding good luck into the bread.
  • In the Bahamas they have Junkanoo parades.
  • In Denmark people throw old dishes at their friends’ doors.
  • Koreans wear new clothes.
  • In Spain and Mexico, people eat twelve grapes, one for each stroke of the midnight clock.
  • In Bulgaria children take decorated tree branches to other people’s homes. At each house the children bless the home and its occupants. The homeowners give the children sweets or money, and the children visit the next home.

Ellis Island Opened its Doors in 1892

 Events
Jan 012024
 
Immigrant Inspection at Ellis Island

Immigrant Inspection at Ellis Island

Ellis Island opened its doors in 1892. Over twenty million people entered the country through Ellis Island. It closed in 1954, becoming a national park in 1956. The island opened again as a museum in 1990. Idea: Children could find out if any of their relatives had ever come through Ellis Island. They could record interesting stories. Students would enjoy reading Letters from Rifka, by Karen Hesse. They could also visit the national park site to see some great photos and hear wonderful oral histories at: http://www.nps.gov/elis/index.htm.

Countries Celebrate National Holidays

 Events
Jan 012024
 

Czechoslovakia officially became two countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, in 1992.

Flag of Cuba

Flag of Cuba

Cuba celebrates Liberation Day. On January 1, 1899, Spain lost control of Cuba. For a time it was under United States rule. It became a country with a republican government until Fidel Castro overthrew the rulers on January 1, 1959. According to the CIA World Factbook, Cuba is slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania. Located in the tropical Caribbean region, Cuba can experience both hurricanes and drought. About 11 million people live on the island, and the country exports sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, and coffee. Havana is the capital. Childre could learn more at: Cuba.

Flag of Haiti

Flag of Haiti

Haiti celebrates Independence Day. It was a Spanish colony from 1492 until 1697. Then it became a French colony until 1804 when it gained its freedom. According to the CIA World Factbook, Haiti is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland. Like Cuba, Haiti is located in the Caribbean. It can experience hurricanes, earthquakes, and drought. Over 9 million people live in Haiti, and Port-au-Prince is the capital. The country, again according to the CIA World Factbook, is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Idea: Haiti is part of an island. Children could locate Haiti on a map and discuss its neighbor. Children could learn more at: Haiti.

Sudan

Flag of Sudan

Sudan celebrates Independence Day. It has been a free nation since 1956 when Egypt and the United Kingdom gave up control. Sudan is about a fifth of the size of the United States. Located south of Egypt, the country lies in a desert region. Over 26 million people live in the country, and most of these people live along the Nile River. Khartoum is the capital. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan broke away and formed its country. Children could learn more at: Sudan.

Happy Birthday, Georgia!

 Events
Jan 022024
 
Click for detailed Georgia Flag

Georgia State Flag

Georgia became the fourth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. Although one of Georgia’s nicknames is The Peach State, the crops of peanuts and tobacco each bring in more revenue than peaches. Cotton, which was a very important source of revenue 100 years ago, now generates a little more than one percent of the state’s income. Atlanta is the state capital. Georgia ranks 24th in area and eighth in population. Children can visit an Internet site at: Georgia. Idea: Children could make and enjoy a simple peach cobbler.

Canada and United States Protect Niagara Falls in 1929

 Events
Jan 022024
 

Albert Bierstadt’s Painting of Niagara Falls

Canada and the United States began a joint project in 1929 to protect Niagara Falls. Three waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and the American Falls, lie on the Niagara River. The river empties Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Hydroelectric power and tourism result from the Falls. Erosion has been slowed down by the efforts of Canada and the United States. Children can learn more about Niagara Falls at: Niagara Falls.

Happy Birthday, Alaska!

 Events
Jan 032024
 

Alaska State Flag

Alaskan Lakes and Forest

Alaskan Lakes and Forest

Alaska became the forty-ninth state of the United States in 1959. Alaska is by far the largest state, but only two states have less population. The state has experienced booms in furs, fishing, whaling, gold, and oil. Juneau is the state capital. Children can visit an Internet site at: Alaska. Idea: Children could research Alaska more and try to predict its next economic focus.

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