Kon-Tiki
Thor Heyerdahl set sail on the Kon-Tiki in 1947. He and a five-person crew left Peru on a hand-made raft and arrived in Polynesia over one hundred days later, on August 7, 1947. He proved that ancient mariners could have made long sea voyages to establish new colonies. He wrote The Kon-Tiki Expedition: By Raft Across the South Seas.
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. Children could learn more at: Peru.