celebrateandlearn

Oct 132026
 
Copiapo Rescued and Rescuers Celebrate!

Copiapo Rescued and Rescuers Celebrate!

Copiapo miners were rescued in 2010!  A mine cave-in in the Atacama Desert near Copiapo, Chile, had trapped 33 men underground on August 5. The men had rushed to an emergency shelter underground. Drilling apparatus found the location of the men seventeen days later. Oxygen, food, water, and letters from friends and family began reaching the men a few days later. Meanwhile, rescue operations, an international effort, continued on the surface. At one point experts thought the miners would not be rescued until late December. However, good fortune and expert drilling finally created an escape plan. One by one the men were brought up in a capsule. They were all successfully brought to earth’s surface before midnight on October 13, 2010!

Oct 132026
 

Psyche lifted off in 2023. The unmanned spacecraft will travel 1.37 billion miles to reach the asteroid 16 Psyche in August 2029. Scientists are interested in Psyche’s composition; they believe it be rich in iron and metal. They are wondering if 16 Psyche is the core remnant of a planet hit by another body or if it is simply unmelted metal. The spacecraft Psyche will orbit the asteroid and send back data until November 2031. Then it will just remain orbiting 16 Psyche. Children could learn more at: Psyche.

Oct 132026
 

Robert Ingpen (born Victoria, Australia, 1936) writes and illustrates books for children. He has illustrated over 100 books, and he received the prestigious 1986 Hans Christian Andersen Award for his body of work. He has also written at least thirteen fiction books and at least twenty nonfiction books. His illustrated works include The Magic Crystal and Ziba Came on a Boat.

Molly Pitcher

Lithograph – Molly Pitcher

Molly Pitcher (born Mary Hays McCauley near Trenton, New Jersey, 1754; died Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1832) was a Revolutionary War hero. She was carrying pitchers of water to the men at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. When her husband could no longer man the cannon, she took over. Children could learn more at: Molly Pitcher.

Conrad Richter (born Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, 1890; died Pottsville, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1968) was an author. One of his books is The Town, Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction in 1951.

Rudolf Virchow (born Schivelbain, Prussia, 1821; died Berlin, Germany, September 5, 1902) has been called the “Father of Pathology.” He conducted invaluable research in leukemia, rickets, tuberculosis and other diseases. Older children could learn more at: Rudolf Virchow.

Oct 142026
 

Caramel Apple Pie

National Dessert Day is today! This is an easy day to celebrate! Children could list and then rank their favorite desserts. They could investigate different US regions and local desserts. They could examine recipes of relatives and then perhaps make Grandpa’s favorite dessert.

Oct 142026
 

First National Fossil Day Poster

National Fossil Day is today! Celebrated on the Wednesday of Earth Science Week (second week in October), the day reminds us of the importance of fossils in our scientific and educational communities. The celebration was started in 2010 by the National Park Service. This year’s theme is The Rise of Ancient Life in our National Parks and Monuments. Idea: Children could make their own fossil replicas by consulting 100 Glues, Brews, and Goos: Kid-Tested Activities That Stimulate Creativity and Critical Thinking by Diana F. Marks. They could also visit a GREAT website at: National Fossil Day.

Oct 142026
 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The youngest person (at the time) to receive the award, he contributed the award money to the civil rights movement. Older children can read his acceptance speech at: King Nobel Speech.

Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Older children can read his well-written acceptance speech at: Wiesel Nobel Speech.

Oct 142026
 
Chuck Yeager and Glamorous Glennis

Chuck Yeager and the Glamorous Glennis

Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager in 1947 flew a BellX-1 airplane, the Glamorous Glennis, at Mach 1.07 over Muroc Dry Lake Bed in California. He successfully conducted the first faster than sound flying experiment.

Felix Baumgartner in 2012 jumped from a hot-air balloon at a height of 24 miles to freefall to earth. He reached a speed of 843.6 miles per hour (Mach 1.25), becoming the first person to break the sound barrier without a vehicle.

Oct 142026
 

Miriam Cohen (born Brooklyn, New York, 1926) has written over 30 books for children. Her works include Will I Have a Friend? and Don’t Eat Too Much Turkey!

E. E. Cummings (born Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1894; died North Conway, New Hampshire, September 2, 1962) was a poet. He was known for his unusual use of punctuation and capitalization. Children can read some of his work at: http://hellopoetry.com/-e-e-cummings/.

Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower (born Denison, Texas, 1890; died Washington, DC, March 28, 1969) was the thirty-fourth president (1953-1961) of the United States. During World War I, he was a tank training instructor. By the end of World War II he was a five-star general and Supreme Allied Commander. He was a popular president. The country was experiencing prosperity. The Korean War ended during his presidency. He did have to send in the military to end segregation in Little Rock, Arkansas. Children could visit a website at: Dwight Eisenhower. Idea: Children could compile some statistics as to the number of presidents who had previously been in the military.

Francis Lightfoot Lee (born Westmoreland County, Virginia, 1734; died Richmond, Virginia, January 11, 1797) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Virginia, and his brother Richard Henry Lee was also a signer. The shy and quiet Francis Lightfoot Lee persuaded Virginia to ratify the Constitution. Children could learn more at: Francis Lightfoot Lee.

Strawberry Girl

Strawberry Girl

Lois Lenski (born Springfield, Illinois, 1893; died Tarpon Springs, Florida, September 11, 1974) was a children’s author and illustrator. She earned a 1937 Newbery Honor Award for Phoebe Fairchild: Her Book and a 1942 Newbery Honor Award for Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison. She received the 1946 Newbery Award for her Strawberry Girl. She wrote and illustrated approximatley 100 books, including a series featuring Mr. Small. Children can learn more at: Lois Lenski.

William Penn (born London, United Kingdom, 1644; died Ruscombe, United Kingdom, July 30, 1718) founded Pennsylvania. His father, admiral and politician Sir William Penn, had lent a considerable amount of money to England. The King could not easily repay the debt in money. The king offered a huge land grant instead to William Penn. A Quaker, Penn made sure all inhabitants had religious freedom. He also worked to keep friendly relations with the Native Americans. Actually he spent very little time in his home on the Delaware River. Idea: Children could find out what the words Pennsylvania and Philadelphia mean.