Hiram R. Revels in 1870 became the first African American to be elected to the Senate. He represented Mississippi and served from 1870 to 1871. Children could read about his extraordinary life at: Hiram R. Revels.
Feb 252026
celebrateandlearn
Feb 252026
Amendment Sixteen to the Constitution was adopted in 1913. Congress could implement an income tax. Prior to Amendment Sixteen, people paid indirect taxes through buying items that were taxed. Older children could view an interesting timeline at: Amendment Sixteen.
Feb 252026
Thor’s Hammer (hoodoo)
Bryce Canyon National Park was established in 1928. Located in southern Utah, the park encompasses 35,835 acres. Bryce Canyon National Park is really not a canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters. Its distinctive features are hoodoos, pinnacles caused by frost erosion and erosion of the sedimentary rocks. Archaeological evidence shows that Native Americans lived there about 10,000 years ago. The Paiutes moved in when other groups left, but they were pushed out around 1873 when Mormon settlers started overgrazing the land. The park has three distinct life zones, determined by altitude. At least 400 different species of plants have been identified. Although hundreds of different animal species live there, the mule deer is the most common animal. Children can learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm.
Feb 252026
Frank Bonham (born Los Angeles, California, 1914; died Arizona, December 16, 1988) wrote at least 48 westerns and novels for young adults. His books include Nitty Gritty and Durango Street.
Ida Lewis (born Newport, Rhode Island, 1842; died Little Rock Island, Newport, Rhode Island, October 24, 1911) was a lighthouse keeper. She is best known for making many daring rescues at sea. Children could read Rowing to the Rescue: The Story of Ida Lewis, Famous Lighthouse Heroine by Doris Licameli.
Pierre Auguste Renoir (born Limoges, France, 1841; died Cagnes-sur-Mer, Provence, France, December 17, 1919) was an impressionist painter. One of his most famous works is The Luncheon of the Boating Party. Later in his life, arthritis crippled his hands. He had paint brushes tied to his hands and learned to paint in broader strokes. Children could view some of his works at: Auguste Renoir.
Cynthia Voigt (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1942) is an author who writes for children and young adults. She wrote Dicey’s Song, the Newbery Medal winner for 1983. She also wrote A Solitary Blue, which earned a 1984 Newbery Honor Award. Voight received the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 1995 for her body of work. Children could view her website at: Cynthia Voigt.
Feb 262026
View from the North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park was created in 1919. Over millions of years the Colorado River has cut a deep gorge through Arizona. The park occupies over one million acres of land. Children can visit a website at: http://www.nps.gov/grca. They can also read more at: Grand Canyon.
Feb 262026
Grand Teton National Park was created in 1929. Centered around the Teton Range, this 310,000-acre national park is located in Northwestern Wyoming. Paleo-Indians lived there 11,000 years ago. Children can see some great photos and participate in activities at: http://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
Feb 262026
Amendment Twenty-Two to the Constitution was adopted in 1951. It stated that a President could not be elected to more than two terms in office. Prior to the amendment, custom (but not law) was that no President would run for a third term. However, Franklin Roosevelt was elected to office four times. After he died in his fourth term, people began to feel the number of terms should be limited, and the amendment was born. Children could read the actual words of the amendment at: Amendment Twenty-Two. They could debate presidential term limits, especially since senators and congress people do not have term limits.
Feb 262026
Buffalo Bill Cody (born William Frederic Cody in Scott County, Iowa, 1846; died Denver, Colorado, January 10, 1917) was a frontiersman and showman. Children can read more about him at: Buffalo Bill Cody.
Victor Hugo (born Besancon, France, 1802; died Paris, France, May 22, 1885) was an author. One of his best known works is Les Miserables. Students can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Sharon Bell Mathis (born Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1937) writes books for children. Her book Ray Charles received the 1974 Coretta Scott King Award. Her book The Hundred Penny Box received a 1976 Newbery Honor Award. Children can learn more at: Sharon Bell Mathis.
Colby Rodowsky (born Baltimore, Maryland, 1932; died Silver Spring, Maryland, October 5, 2020) wrote at least seventeen books for children. Her books include Julie’s Daughter and Fitchett’s Folly.
Judith Saint George (born Westfield, New Jersey, 1939; died Bloomfield, Connecticut, June 10, 2015) wrote over 40 books for children. Her books include So You Want to Be President? (which earned illustrator David Small the 2001 Caldecott Medal) and The Duel.
Levi Strauss (born Buttenheim, Bavaria, Germany, 1829; died San Francisco, California, September 26, 1902) invented tough, durable pants for California gold miners. These pants are now known as jeans. Idea: Children could compare and contrast denim with other fabrics. They could see how jeans are made at: Jeans.
Feb 272026
International Polar Bear Day is today. The day was established by the organization Polar Bears International to raise awareness of the problems polar bears are facing today. Global warming is reducing polar sea ice and thus reducing their habitat. The organization encourages people to lower their thermostats in winter and raise their thermostats in summer.
The polar bear is classified as a marine mammal because it spends so much time in ocean waters. However, it easily navigates on land and ice. It is carnivorous, preying primarily on seals. However, they will eat land mammals, birds, and eggs.
Polar Bears International chose February 27 as the day to celebrate the animals because mothers and babies are safe in their dens.
Feb 272026
National Strawberry Day is today! Continuing a February theme, strawberries are red, sweet, and heart-shaped. They love to be dipped in chocolate. They are also very healthy, because they are cholesterol free and low in sodium. Idea: Children could make a concrete poem about strawberries: They could draw a large strawberry on paper. Then they could write words, phrases, and sentences describing strawberries around the outline of the fruit.