Nov 142024
 

Nellie Bly and the only luggage she would carry for 72 days

Nellie Bly began her trip in 1889 to go around the world in eighty days. She was trying to copy the trip Jules Verne created for his character Phileas Fogg in the book Around the World in Eighty Days. She completed the 24,899 mile trip in slightly over 72 days, returning to New Jersey on January 25, 1890. During her trip she met Jules Verne in France. She sailed through the Suez Canal and traveled through Hong Kong and Japan. Her record lasted only a few months; in 1890 George Francis Train went around the world in 67 days. Children can visit a website devoted to her at: Nellie Bly.

Dec 212024
 

Phileas Fogg won his wager in 1872. The main character of Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days returned to the Reform Club in London under the time limit of 80 days. He won the bet of 20,000 pounds. Could children find out how much 20,000 pounds was in dollars in 1872? Children can read Around the World in Eighty Days at: Project Gutenberg.