Flag of Zambia
Zambia celebrates Independence Day. It was declared free of British control in 1964. The country, larger than Texas, is located in southern, central Africa. One of Zambia’s major industries is copper mining and processing. Over fourteen million people live in Zambia, and Lusaka is the capital.
Morse’s Conception of Transcontinental Telegraph
Transcontinental Telegraph was completed in 1861. It was constructed in units and then joined together. Ending the need for the Pony Express, the telegraph operated until 1869 when a multi-line telegraph was constructed parallel to the Transcontinental Railroad. Children could learn more at: Transcontinental Telegraph.
Annie Edson Taylor on the day of her event
Annie Edson Taylor, celebrating her 63rd birthday, in 1901 became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The teacher from Michigan sustained only minor injuries.
Minimum wage was instituted in 1938 at 25 cents per hour, and the work week was defined as 40 hours of work per week. Children can see the interesting history of minimum wage at: minimum wage.
Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (born Newport, New Hampshire, 1788; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1879) was a writer and an editor. Her most famous poem is “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Children can read her very interesting The New Household Receipt-book at: Hale Cookbook.
Belva Lockwood
Belva A. Bennett Lockwood (born Royalton, New York, 1830; died Washington, DC, May 19, 1917) was the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court. She championed women’s rights. In 1884 she became the first woman to be nominated for President of the United States. She served on many boards, including the Nobel Peace Prize nominating committee. Older children could learn more at: Belva Lockwood.
Barbara Robinson (born Portsmouth, Ohio, 1927; died Berwyn, Pennsylvania, July 9, 2013) wrote books for children. Her works include The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Best School Year Ever. Children could learn more at: Barbara Robinson.
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (born Delft, Netherlands, 1632; died Delft, Netherlands, August 26, 1723) invented the microscope. He invented the microscope to examine cloth quality. However, he went on to observe bacteria. He called the organisms animalcules. He also studied blood of various organisms. Idea: Children could place a drop of water on a slide and observe the drop under the microscopes. There they could look at some animalcules. Children could read All in a Drop: How Antony Van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World, written by Lori Alexander and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. Older children could learn more at: Van Leeuwenhoek.
David by Michelangelo
(detail)
International Artist Day is today! Today celebrates the contributions artists make to our society through their creations. Idea: Children could list all the artists they can think of. Then they could pick one artist and find out how that artist has made positive changes. Finally they could make their own artistic creations!
World Pasta Day is today! Historians believe pasta was made as far back as 5000 BC. The day was created in 1995 when 40 pasta producers met for the first World Pasta Congress. Idea: Children could list different types of pasta. Then they could decide on their favorite pasta and sauce.
King George III
George III became King of Great Britain in 1760. His actions probably contributed to the start of the Revolutionary War. At one point he almost abdicated. He experienced periods of dementia, and from 1811 until his death in 1820 the country was actually run by his son. Children could read Jean Fritz’s Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?
Taiwan was returned to Chinese rule in 1945 after being controlled by the Japanese for fifty years. During its reign Japan had the Taiwanese adopt the Japanese language and customs. Many young Taiwanese males served in the Japanese army during World War II. The transition back to Chinese daily life was not smooth.
Pop-Up Thermometer
Turkey Pop-Up Thermometer was patented by George Kliewer in 1966. He received Patent Number 3,280,629. Originally called the Thermally Responsive Signaling Device, the invention was modeled somewhat on indoor sprinkler systems. An outer housing is inserted into the meatiest part of the bird. An inner rod is propped up by a spring, and a pin keeps the spring from popping up. The pin, made of either metal or wax, melts at a predetermined temperature and releases the spring. The spring pushes up the inner rod, signaling that the meat has reached the desired temperature. About 30 million pop-up thermometers are sold every year. Children can learn more at: Pop-Up.