celebrateandlearn

Ben Carlin and Amphibious Vehicle – 1958

 Events
May 132026
 

The Half Safe and the Statue of Liberty

Ben Carlin in 1958 became the one and only person to circumnavigate the world in an amphibious vehicle. He and his wife Elinor started the trip in the last part of 1947 aboard the Half-Safe, a former military amphibious vehicle. After several tries, they reached Morocco in 1951. Elinor flew to the United States, and Carlin found other mates to continue his voyage. Pausing to earn funds and repair the vehicle, he returned to Montreal in 1958. After Carlin’s death, the Half-Safe was deeded to his school in Australia, the Guildford Grammar School.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
May 132026
 

Georges Braque (born Argenteuil, France, 1882; died Paris, France, August 31, 1963) was an artist. He and Picasso developed cubism. He also worked with collages. Idea: Children could look at some of his work. They could gather different fabrics, papers, yarn, etc. Then they could make their own collages. Children could learn more at: Georges Braque.

Francine Pascal (born New York, New York, 1938; died New York, New York, July 28, 2024) wrote young adult novels and worked on many television and Broadway projects. Her books include the Sweet Valley High series and The Ruling Class.

Sir Arthur Sullivan (born London, United Kingdom, 1842; died London, United Kingdom, November 22, 1900) was half of the Gilbert and Sullivan team. They wrote light operas. He also composed other songs, including Onward, Christian Soldiers. Idea: Children could listen to one of the team’s operettas or read their works at: Project Gutenberg.

Paraguay Recognizes Its Independence Day of May 14

 Events
May 142026
 

Flag of Paraguay

Paraguay recognizes its Independence Day of May 14 and celebrates that day on May 15. Paraguay became free of Spanish rule in 1811. The country, about the size of the state of California, is located in South America. About 6.6 million people live in this land-locked country. It exports cotton and soybeans, and Asuncion is the capital. Children can learn more at: Paraguay.

Jamestown, Virginia, 1607

 Events
May 142026
 
Statue of Pocahontas at Jamestown

Statue of Pocahontas at Jamestown

Jamestown, Virginia, became the first permanent English colony in America in 1607. Three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery brought Captain John Smith and others to American shores. The ill-prepared colonists had left England on December 20, 1606. Children could learn more at: http://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm.

Lewis and Clark Expedition Left St. Louis, Missouri, in 1804

 Events
May 142026
 
Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis

William Clark

William Clark

Lewis and Clark Expedition left St. Louis, Missouri, in 1804. Their goal was to explore and map a portion of the Louisiana Purchase. They reached the Pacific Coast in 1805 and returned to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. Younger children could learn more at this amazing website: Lewis and Clark. Older children could read the explorers’ journals at: Project Gutenberg.

Camels Landed in Indianola, Texas, in 1856!

 Events
May 142026
 
Historical Marker Camel Corps in Indianola, Texas

Historical Marker Camel Corps in Indianola, Texas

Thirty-four camels landed in Indianola, Texas, in 1856! After the United States won the Mexican-American War in 1846, the country acquired large land holdings in what is now Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The American army wanted to map the region and establish forts in the new lands. Horses and mules could not easily withstand the high temperatures, lack of consistent water, and rough terrain. The army decided to try camels as beasts of burden. The camels marched from Indianola to base camp at Camp Verde, Texas. Eventually another 41 camels arrived. The camels were well-suited to the terrain and climate; the Camel Corps trekked all the way to the Pacific Ocean and back. Unfortunately, the Civil War disrupted the region, and the camel experiment ended.

Israel Became a Nation in 1948

 Events
May 142026
 

Flag of Israel

Israel celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut,  the day it became a nation, in 1948. However, because the Jewish calendar is lunar, the day Israel celebrates its founding varies from year to year. Israel’s area is roughly the area of New Jersey. The country is home to 8.8 million people, and Jerusalem is the capital and largest city. It exports packaged medicines, medical equipment, and integrated circuits. Children can learn more at: Israel.

Skylab Was Launched in 1973

 Events
May 142026
 

Skylab

Skylab was launched in 1973. Skylab, the first United States space station, was made to conduct around 300 scientific investigations. Three manned crews, Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4, carried out experiments there between May 1973 and February 1974. Skylab on July 11, 1979, reentered the earth’s atmosphere and broke apart. The pieces fell into the Indian Ocean and onto parts of Australia. Children could learn more at: Skylab.

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