Francis Beaufort (born Ireland, 1774; died England, December 17, 1857) was a scientist and naval officer. He created the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. Children can view the scale at: Beaufort Scale.
Amelia Jenks Bloomer (born Homer, New York, 1818; died Council Bluffs, Iowa, April 14, 1964) was a women’s rights activist. Her name is associated with “bloomers.”
Rachel Carson
Rachel Louise Carson (born Springdale, Pennsylvania, 1907; died Silver Springs, Maryland, April 14, 1964) was an environmentalist and an author. Her book Silent Spring sparked discussion over the use of pesticides. Children could read Rachel Carson, Caring for the Earth by Elizabeth Ring. They can also learn more at: Rachel Carson.
Nathaniel Gorham (born Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1738; died Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 11, 1796) represented Massachusetts at the Constitutional Convention. During the convention, he was president of the Committee of the Whole. When representatives wanted to speak more informally, the Committee of the Whole took over the session.
Wild Bill Hickok (born James Butler Hickok in Troy Grove, Illinois, 1837; died Deadwood, South Dakota, August 2, 1876) was a frontiersman and a lawman. He was killed while playing poker in a saloon.
Julia Ward Howe
Julia Ward Howe (born New York, New York, 1819; died Newport, Rhode Island, October 17, 1910) was a fervent abolitionist and women’s suffragist. She wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Children could learn more at: Julia Ward Howe.
M. E. Kerr (born Auburn, New York, 1927) is one of Marijane Meaker’s pen names. M. E. Kerr writes books for young adults, and she received the 1993 Margaret A. Edwards Award for her body of work.
Lynn Sweat (born Alexandria, Louisiana, 1934) writes and illustrates books for children. He illustrates Peggy Parish’s Amelia Bedelia series.
Georgia celebrates Independence Day. The country declared its freedom from Russia on this day in 1918. However, in 1921 the Soviet Union conquered Georgia. On April 9, 1991, it broke away from the Soviet Union. Located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and possessing a Mediterranean climate, Georgia, according to the CIA World Factbook, is about the size of South Carolina. About 4.6 million people live in Georgia. Industries include steel, machines and tools, and timber products. Tbilisi is the capital.
