United Nations Flag
World Habitat Day is today! Sponsored by the United Nations, the day occurs on the first Monday in October. The day reminds us of the right to adequate shelter. It also celebrates towns and cities. This year’s theme is Urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery. The first celebration began in 1986 with a conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
Steamboats but not the Washington
Double-decked steamboat arrived in New Orleans for the first time in 1816. The Washington traveled between New Orleans and Louisville. It traveled upstream at 16 miles per hour and downstream at 25 miles per hour. This first steamboat was so successful that many others followed. By 1850 about 740 steamboats, transporting three million people annually, traveled on the Mississippi River. Older children could read a great history of double-decked steamboats at: Double-Decked Steamboats.
Dow Jones Industrial Average was created in 1896 to give a snapshot of the overall trends of the stock market. The original average contained twelve stocks. The stocks were: American Cotton Oil Company, American Sugar Company, American Tobacco Company, Chicago Gas Company, Distilling and Cattle Feeding Company, General Electric, Laclede Gas Company, National Lead Company, North American Company, Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company, U.S. Leather Company, and United States Rubber Company. Today thirty stocks comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and none of the original companies are part of the Dow. General Electric was part of the Dow until June 2018. Children can view an interesting interactive graphic at: https://www.cnbc.com/2014/07/02/history-of-dow-30.html.
Far Side of Moon Photograph Taken by Crew of Apollo 16
Far side of the moon was first photographed in 1959. The Soviet Union’s Luna 3, launched October 3, 1959, took 29 pictures. Then, when the spacecraft came closer to earth, it transmitted seventeen of the pictures. The photographs were of lesser quality than later photographs, but they showed that the far side of the moon was very different from the side we can see. The far side is more mountainous. Children could learn more at: Moon.
Niels Bohr (born Copenhagen, Denmark, 1885; died Copenhagen, Denmark, November 18, 1962) developed the theory of atomic structure. He received the 1922 Nobel Prize for his work. Later he studied the nucleus of atoms and quantum mechanics. Idea: Children could draw a model of an atom and learn about its various energy levels. Older children could learn more at: Niels Bohr.
Alice Dalgliesh (born Trinidad, British West Indies, 1893; died Woodbury, Connecticut, June 11, 1979) wrote, illustrated, and/or edited at least 40 books for children. She received three Caldecott Honor Awards: in 1945 for The Silver Pencil, in 1953 for The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, and in 1955 for The Courage of Sarah Noble. Children can learn more at: Alice Dalgliesh.
William Samuel Johnson
William Samuel Johnson (born Stratford, Connecticut, 1727; died Stratford, Connecticut, November 14, 1819) represented Connecticut at the Constitutional Convention. A lawyer, he helped present the Connecticut Compromise (two branches of Congress). Later he became a US senator. He lived to be the oldest signer of the Constitution. Children could learn more at: William Samuel Johnson.
Yo-Yo Ma (born Paris, France, 1955) is a cellist. He was performing before audiences by age five. He has produced 75 albums, and he received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2001.
James Whitcomb Riley (born Greenfield, Indiana, 1849; died Indianapolis, Indiana, July 22, 1916) was known as the “Hoosier” poet. Idea: Students could read some of his poetry. Children could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Caesar Rodney
Caesar Rodney (born Dover, Delaware, 1728; died Dover, Delaware, June 26, 1784) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Delaware. A wealthy man, he served as a sheriff, a member of the legislature, and a judge (even though he was not a lawyer). He fought in the Revolutionary War, and for a while he was governor of Delaware. Children could learn more at: Caesar Rodney.
Desmond Tutu (born Klerksdrop, South Africa, 1931; died Capetown, South Africa, December 26, 2021) was the archbishop of South Africa and a civil rights activist. He received many awards, including the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize and the 2009 US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Older children could learn more at: Desmond Tutu.
Flag of Croatia
Croatia celebrates Independence Day. In 1991 Croatia’s Parliament voted to sever ties to Yugoslavia. Bordering the Adriatic Sea, the country is slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia. About 4.5 million people live in Croatia, and Zagreb is the capital. Children could learn more at: Croatia.
Map of Fire Damage
Great Chicago Fire of 1871 burned for thirty hours. Legend states Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern and started a fire in her barn. Almost one hundred thousand people lost their homes, and over 200 people died. Children could learn more at: Chicago Fire.
Peshtigo Forest Fire also started in 1871. Experts believe this to be one of the most damaging forest fires ever. The fire began in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and spread across six counties. More than 1,100 people died. Children could learn more at: Peshtigo Forest Fire.
Belvin Maynard Landing to Win Race
First Transcontinental Air Race began in 1919. The race was also called the Transcontinental Reliability and Endurance Test. Fifteen airplanes took off from San Francisco, and 48 planes left Roosevelt Field in New York. The 5,400 mile round trip was sponsored by the American Flying Club of New York. “Flying Parson” Army Lieutenant Belvin Maynard won the race. He took three days six hours to fly from New York to California, and he needed three days 21 hours to fly back.
Microwave Patent
Microwave oven was patented by Percy Spencer in 1945. He accidentally discovered the power of microwaves when he found that a candy bar in his pocket had melted when he came near radar. He began to experiment with microwaves under controlled conditions. He received patent number 2,495,429. Children could view his patent, “Method of Treating Foodstuffs,” at: Microwave Patent.
Barthe DeClements (born Seattle, Washington, 1920) is an author. Her works include Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You and Spoiled Rotten.
Frank Herbert (born Tacoma, Washington, 1920; died Madison, Wisconsin, February 11, 1986) was a writer. He is most known for his Dune series. Young adults can learn more at: Frank Herbert.
Jesse Jackson (born Greenville, North Carolina, 1941) is a minister and a civil rights leader.
Trinka Hakes Noble (born Michigan, 1944) writes and illustrates books for children. Her books include the Jimmy’s Boa series and The Last Brother. Children can visit her website at: Trinka Hakes Noble.
Edward Rickenbacker (born Columbus, Ohio, 1890; died Zurich, Switzerland, July 23, 1973) was an aviator and a World War I ace fighter pilot. He received the Medal of Honor.
Faith Ringgold (born Harlem, New York, 1930; died Englewood, New Jersey, April 12, 2024) was an artist. She also wrote and illustrated children’s books. Her book Tar Beach earned a 1992 Caldecott Honor Award and the 1992 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky received the 1993 Jane Addams Picture Book Award. Children can visit her website at: Faith Ringgold.
Goosebumps Book
R. L. Stine (born Columbus, Ohio, 1943) has written hundreds of books for children and young adults. His works include the Goosebumps series and the Fear Street series. Young adults can visit his website at: R. L. Stine.
Mike Thaler (born Los Angeles, California, 1936; 23, 2024died Yakima County, Washington, March ) wrote at least 210 books for children. His works include The Teacher from… series and another series, Tales from the Back Pew. Children can learn more at: Mike Thaler.