Cherries
National Cherry Day is today! While a large number of different cherries exist, most Americans divide the types into two kinds: sweet and tart. Cherries are low in calories, high in fiber, and loaded with nutrients. Cherries are another example of a super food.
Statue of Junipero Serra in Capitol Building
Father Junipero Serra founded the first mission in California in 1769. He created Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo in what is now Monterey, California. He went on to establish eight more missions that extend from present-day San Diego to San Francisco.
District of Columbia Flag
White House
District of Columbia was formed in 1790 when President Washington authorized the construction of a new capital. The United States government continued to work from Philadelphia until 1800. Today over 700,000 people live in the District of Columbia, while over six million people live in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. Certainly the District of Columbia can be proud of the many important and historical buildings and monuments within its boundaries. Idea: Children could find out how the land was acquired for the District of Columbia.
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 began crashing into Jupiter in 1994. The comet was first observed by Carolyn and Eugene M. Shoemaker and David Levy on March 24, 1993. The comet had already broken apart into about 21 pieces, and scientists observed the explosions through telescopes, including the Hubble telescope. The last piece of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crashed into Jupiter on July 22, 1994. Scientists learned a great deal about Jupiter because the impacts caused ripples traveling at 260 miles per second on the planet’s surface. Children could learn more at: Shoemaker-Levy 9.
Arnold Adoff (born Bronx, New York, 1935; died Yellow Springs, Ohio, May 7, 2021) wrote more than 30 books for children. His work includes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. His works include The Return of Rex and Ethel and Hard to Be Six.
Amundsen and Others with the Norwegian Flag
Roald Amundsen (born near Oslo, Norway, 1872; died near the Arctic, June 18, 1928) was an explorer. He was the first person to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the Northwest Passage. He traveled to the South Pole in 1911 and soared over the North Pole in a dirigible in 1926. He was attempting to rescue another Arctic expedition when his plane and its crew went down.
Arthur Bowie Chrisman (born Clarke County, Virginia, 1889; died Shirley, Arkansas, February 14, 1953) was a writer. He received the 1926 Newbery Medal for Shen of the Sea: Chinese Stories for Children.
Richard Egielski (born New York, New York, 1952) has written and/or illustrated more than 50 books for children. He received the 1987 Caldecott Medal for Hey, Al, written by Arthur Yorinks. Egielski wrote and illustrated Buz and Slim and Jim.
Shirley Hughes (born West Kirby, United Kingdom, 1927; died London, United Kingdom, February 25, 2022) wrote more than 50 books and illustrated more than 200 books. She earned the 1977 and 2003 Kate Greenaway Medals. Her works include the Alfie books and Dogger. Children could learn more at: Shirley Hughes.
Joshua Reynolds (born Plympton, Devon, England, 1723; died London, England, February 23, 1792) was an artist. He was known primarily for his portraits of English nobility. Children can view over 600 of his works at: Joshua Reynolds.
Ida B. Wells (born Holly Springs, Mississippi, 1862; died Chicago, Illinois, March 25, 1931) was a journalist. The daughter of slaves, she fought against lynchings. Children could visit a website at: Ida B. Wells.
Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1821. The Adams-Onis Treaty (also called the Transcontinental Treaty) had been signed in 1819, but the treaty took effect on this day in 1821. The United States agreed to give Spain $5 million and to renounce any claims on Texas in exchange for West Florida and East Florida.
Harvard Observatory in 1850 took the first photographs of a star. Mr. J. A. Whipple, under the direction of Professor W. C. Bond, chose Vega in the Lyra constellation for their subject. Vega is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere.
Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan
Douglas (Wrong Way) Corrigan started a flight from New York in 1938. His destination was Los Angeles, California, but the next day he landed in Ireland. An instant hero, he frustrated aviation officials and returned to a ticker tape parade in New York City. Idea: Children could calculate how many miles off target he was.
Disneyland opened in 1955. Walt Disney bought 160 acres of California land that had been covered in orange groves and spent $17 million on the park. Today over fourteen million people visit the park annually and spend about $3 billion.
John Jacob Astor (born Waldorf, Germany, 1763; died New York, New York, March 29, 1848) moved to New York City when he was twenty years old. He made quite a bit of money from a fur trading business. He invested most of his money in real estate in Manhattan Island and became very wealthy.
Chris Crutcher (born Dayton, Ohio, 1946) has written at least fifteen books and a number of short stories for young adults. His books include Ironman and Whale Talk. He received the Margaret Edwards Award in 2000 for his body of work.
Elbridge Gerry (born Marblehead, Massachusetts, 1744; died Washington, DC, November 23, 1814) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Massachusetts. He was also the fifth vice president of the United States when he died. His wife was the last surviving wife of a signer to die. Idea: The term gerrymandering relates to some of Gerry’s activities. Children could find out what the term means. Children could learn more at: Elbridge Gerry.
Karla Kuskin (born New York, New York, 1932; died Seattle, Washington, August 20, 2009) wrote and illustrated over 40 books for children. Her works include City Dog and Soap Soup. Children can visit a website about her at: Karla Kuskin.
Rosa Jackson Lumpkin (born Flint, Georgia, 1876; died Buffalo, New York, December 16, 1991) lived to be 115 years old.
Jacqueline Rogers (born Westport, Connecticut, 1958) writes and illustrates books for children. Her works include Best Friends Sleep Over and Kindergarten ABC. She has illustrated books by many other authors, including Beverly Cleary, Jean Marzollo, and Betsy Byars. Children could visit her website at: Jacqueline Rogers.