Peale Portrait of Thomas Jefferson
Department of State, under the name Department of Foreign Affairs, was created by Congress in 1789. Thomas Jefferson served as the first Secretary of State from March 22, 1790, to December 31, 1793. Older children could visit the department’s website at: http://www.state.gov/.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Bugs Bunny appeared for the first time in a 1940 cartoon, “A Wild Hare.” Since then, he has appeared in over a hundred movies. He was the first cartoon character to be featured on a United States stamp, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Scott Corbett (born Kansas City, Missouri, 1913; died Providence, Rhode Island, March 6, 2006) wrote 89 books. Most of his books were written for children. His book Cutlass Island earned the 1962 Edgar Allan Poe Award for juvenile fiction. Other books include The Disappearing Dog Trick and The Lemonade Trick.
Flag of Peru
Peru celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from Spain in 1821. Lima is the capital of this South American country. Its area is a bit smaller than the area of Alaska, and natural resources include silver, gold, copper, and petroleum. Almost 30 million people live and work there. Idea: The Incas once controlled portions of what is now Peru. Children could find out more about the Incas and the Spanish conquistadors. Children could learn more at: Peru.
Amendment Fourteen to the Constitution was adopted in 1868. It outlined citizenship rights, civil rights, and equal protection under the law. Famous decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, were based on this amendment. Children could learn more at: Amendment Fourteen.
Far Side of Moon Photograph Taken by Crew of Apollo 16
Ranger 7 was launched in 1964. Designed to send back images of the moon’s surface, it reached its destination on July 31, 1964. The first success after thirteen failed missions, it sent back over 4,000 images of the moon during its last fifteen minutes of travel. Then it crashed into the moon’s surface. Those photographs identified safe landing areas for future manned moon missions. Children could learn more at: Ranger 7.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began pumping oil in 1977. Construction began in 1974 in response to the 1973 oil crisis and rising costs of petroleum. Children can learn more at: TAPS.
New Dr. Seuss Book was published in 2015. Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated the book probably between the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Seuss died in 1991, but he never published it. His widow found the manuscript after his death. What Pet Should I Get? is about two children who go to the pet store but can buy only one pet. They contemplate traditional pets such as dogs or rabbits. Then unusual, Seuss-invented pets become possibilities. Children could explore: Seussville.
Natalie Babbitt (born Dayton, Ohio, 1932; died Hamden, Connecticut, October 31, 2016) was a children’s author and illustrator. She wrote at least twenty books and illustrated at least four books by other authors. She won a 1971 Newbery Honor Award for Kneeknock Rise. Tuck Everlasting, published in 1975, is a novel for the ages.
Thomas Heyward (born near Beaufort, South Carolina, 1746; died Old House, South Carolina, March 6, 1809) signed the Declaration of Independence. Representing South Carolina, he was at first reluctant to break away from Great Britain. However, in the end he voted for independence. He was captured by the British, and he was imprisoned in Saint Augustine, Florida, until 1781. His plantation was plundered, and the British captured his slaves and sold them to sugar plantations in Jamaica. Children could learn more at: Thomas Heyward.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (born Southampton, New York, 1929; died New York, New York, May 19, 1994) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1961 to November 22, 1963. She was the wife of John Kennedy, thirty-fourth president of the United States. She brought back elegance to the White House, and she became very popular throughout the world. After Kennedy was assassinated, she and their two children moved to New York City. In 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping tycoon. He died in 1975. Children could visit a website at: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.
Helen Beatrix Potter (born London, England, 1866; died Sawrey, Lancashire, England, December 22, 1943) was a writer and illustrator. She is famous for her Peter Rabbit books. She wrote 25 books, featuring characters such as Squirrel, Nutkin and Tom Kitten. She wrote the stories originally to please the children of a dear friend. Children could read and enjoy some of her works at: Project Gutenberg. They can also learn more at: Helen Beatrix Potter.