Aaron Burr was tried for treason starting this day in 1807. The Vice President was accused of trying to establish an independent nation in middle United States or parts of Mexico. He was acquitted of the charges on September 1, 1807, but his political career was ruined.
The steamship SS Savannah departed this day in 1819 from Savannah, Georgia. When it arrived in Liverpool, England, on June 20, it was the first steamship to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean. The hybrid ship, fitted with both sails and a sidewheel steamer engine, proved that steam could power ships across oceans, However, it was not economic at the time. Another thirty years would pass before steamships would try again. Children might want to view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFz9ZUoZflg
Lincoln’s Patent
Abraham Lincoln in 1849 received patent #6469 for “A Device for Buoying Vessels Over Shoals.” After working with boats that were stuck on sand bars, he invented the device that would inflate and move ships to water. However, the device was heavy enough that it caused problems. The model, whittled by Lincoln, is on display at the Smithsonian. Children can see the model and read more at: Lincoln Model. They can view the actual patent at: Lincoln Patent. Lincoln is the only president to hold a patent.
Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park became America’s fifth national park in 1902. Located in southern Oregon, the national park included Crater Lake, the caldera of volcanic Mount Mazama. The lake is 1,943 feet deep, making it the deepest lake in the United States. No streams enter or leave the lake. Children can visit the national park’s website at: http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
First Flight
Airplane was patented by the Wright Brothers in 1906. Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright had applied for the patent in 1903. They received Patent #821,393 for an “improved flying machine.” Children can view the patent at: https://www.google.com/patents/US821393. They flew their first successful flights on December 17, 1903.
Hotline during Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidency
Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library opened in 1971 in Austin, Texas. The building is also known as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. It is the archive of 45 million pages of documents. Children can learn more at: lbjlibrary.org/.
SpaceX launched Dragon C2+ in 2012. This launch marked the first commercial space venture. Dragon C2+ brought its payload to the International Space State on May 26 and returned safely to earth on May 30.
Mary Cassatt Self-Portrait
Mary Cassatt (born Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, 1844; died Chateau de Beaufresne near Paris, France, June 14, 1926) was an artist. Most of her works were around the theme of children and families. Children can view several of her works at: Mary Cassatt. Idea: She sometimes worked in pastels. Students could try this medium.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (born Edinburgh, Scotland, 1859; died Crowborough, Sussex, England, July 7, 1930) was a physician and writer. He is most famous for his Sherlock Holmes stories. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg. They can also learn more at: Doyle.
Nancy Krulik (born Brooklyn, New York, 1961) has written at least 200 books for children. Her books include the Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo series and the George Brown, Class Clown series. Children can visit her website at: Nancy Krulik.
Arnold Lobel (born Los Angeles, California, 1933; died New York, New York, December 4, 1987) was a children’s author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated about 30 books. He also wrote books that were illustrated by his wife Anita Lobel. Finally, he illustrated at least 40 books written by other writers, including Jack Prelutsky and Charlotte Zolotow. He received a 1973 Newbery Honor Award for Frog and Toad Together. He earned a 1972 Caldecott Honor Award for Hildilid’s Night and the 1981 Caldecott Medal for Fables. The 1987 Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration was given to him for The Devil and Mother Crump. Children can learn more at: Arnold Lobel. Notice he earned BOTH Newbery and Caldecott Awards.
Richard Wagner (born Leipzig, Germany, 1813; died Venice, Italy, February 13, 1883) was a composer. One of his most famous works is The Ring of the Nibelung.
World Turtle Day reminds people to protect tortoises and turtles. Founded by American Tortoise Rescue, the day serves to educate people as to the vulnerability of turtles. Children can visit a website at: Tortoise. Children can learn about the six species of sea turtles protected by the Endangered Species Act at: Sea Turtles.
South Carolina State Flag
South Carolina became the eighth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. It was named in honor of King Charles II. “Carolus” is Latin for Charles. Columbia is the state capital. South Carolina ranks 23rd in population and 40th in area. Its nickname is the Palmetto State, and its leading sources of income are tobacco, rice, and textiles. Children could visit an internet site at: South Carolina. They could also find out what a palmetto is.