Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley gained her freedom in 1773. Born around 1753 probably in Gambia or Senegal, she was sold into slavery when she was seven years old. Purchased by the Wheatley family, she was well-educated. She began writing poetry in 1767. She was emancipated after her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published on September 1, 1773. Children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg. Children can learn more about her life at: Phillis Wheatley.
Inner Workings of Transistor Radio
Transistor radio was sold for the first time in 1954. Texas Instruments created the small and portable radio. These radios allowed people to hear music wherever and whenever. Billions of transistor radios were sold during the 1960’s and 1970’s.
James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for theorizing the double-helix structure of DNA. Children could learn more at: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1962/summary/. Notice that Rosalind Franklin was not included in the Nobel Prize.
First All-Woman Space Walk occurred in 2019. Ms. Christina Koch and Dr. Jessica Meir conducted a 7-hour 19-minute walk outside the International Space Station and replaced a broken power controller. The first such walk was supposed to happen in March 2019, until project managers realized the International Space Station did not have two suits suitable for women. Children can learn more at: All-Woman Space Walk.
James Brooks (born St. Louis, Missouri, 1906; died Brookhaven, New York, March 8, 1992) was an artist. He began his artistic career painting murals for the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration. Later his works became more abstract. Children can learn more and view some of his works at: James Brooks.
Joyce Hansen (born New York, New York, 1942) writes books for children. She has received four Coretta Scott King Honor Awards: in 1987 for Which Way Freedom, in 1995 for The Captive, in 1998 for I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, and in 1999 (with Gary McGowen) for Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence: The Story of New York’s African Burial Ground. Children can visit her website at: Joyce Hansen.
Ntozake Shange (born Trenton, New Jersey, 1948; died Bowie, Maryland, October 27, 2018) was a playwright, a poet, and an author. She wrote several books for children, including Ellington Was Not a Street and Coretta Scott.
Colin Thompson (born London, England, 1942) writes and illustrates fantasy books for children. His works include The Floods series and Looking for Atlantis.
National New Friends Day is today! Making new friends is not always easy, but today might be a good day to try to find a new friend. Children might enjoy reading a book about making friends. Salina Yoon’s Be a Friend is a good choice.
Ferdinand II of Aragon married Isabella I of Castile in 1469. Their alliance united Aragon and Castile, starting the formation of Spain.
Cornwallis Surrenders
Yorktown Day marks the surrender of General Lord Cornwallis and his troops to George Washington in 1781. This surrender virtually ended the Revolutionary War. No other major battles occurred after this date, and the official peace agreement, the Treaty of Paris, was signed September 3, 1783. Children can learn more at: Yorktown Day.
Ed Emberley (born Malden, Massachusetts, 1931) writes and illustrates children’s books. He received the 1968 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations of Drummer Hoff. He is also known for his books about drawing, including his Thumbprint series. He has written and illustrated approximately 35 books. He has also illustrated about 35 books written by other authors. Idea: Children could make some thumbprint pictures after looking at his books. They could also visit his very interesting website at: everythingemberley.com.
Dan Gutman (born New York, New York, 1955) has written at least 27 books for children. His works include The Homework Machine and Honus and Me. Children can visit his website at: Dan Gutman.
Annie Smith Peck (born Providence, Rhode Island, 1850; died New York, New York, July 18, 1935) was a famous mountain climber. In 1895 she scaled the Matterhorn. Later she climbed the Peruvian mountain Huascaran, setting a record for the highest peak ever climbed by man or woman in the western hemisphere. When she was 61, she climbed Mt. Coropuna in Peru. At the top of the 21,250 feet summit, she planted a banner stating “Votes for Women.” Idea: Children could find out when women did get the right to vote.
Philip Pullman (born Norwich, England, 1946) writes children’s books, novels for young adults, novellas, plays, short stories, and nonfiction. He wrote The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. He received the very prestigious Astrid Lindgren Award in 2005. He was knighted in 2019. Children could visit his website at: Philip Pullman.
Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (born Charles City County, Virginia, 1748; died Monticello, Virginia, September 6, 1782) was the wife of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. She died before Jefferson was elected president. They had six children, but only two lived to adulthood. These two daughters often filled the role of hostess at the White House. Children could visit a website at: Martha Jefferson.
Changes from Treaty of 1818
Treaty of 1818 was signed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Among other decisions, the treaty stated that the 49th Parallel would define most of the border between Canada and the United States. Older children can peruse the treaty at: Treaty of 1818.