celebrateandlearn

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jun 152026
 

Edvard Grieg (born Bergen, Norway, 1843; died Bergen, Norway, September 4, 1907) was a Scandinavian composer and conductor. He was heavily influenced by Norwegian folk music. One of his most famous works is the Peer Gynt Suite.

Rachel Jackson

Rachel Jackson

Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson (born Halifax County, North Carolina, 1767; died Nashville, Tennessee, December 22, 1828) was the wife of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States. She died after he was elected but before he was inaugurated. Children can visit a website at: Rachel Jackson.

Brian Jacques (born Liverpool, England, 1939; died Liverpool, England, February 5, 2011) was an author. He wrote the Redwall series and The Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series. Over 20 million copies of his books have been sold, and the works have been translated into 28 languages. Children could learn more at: Brian Jacques.

Loreen Leedy (born Wilmington, Delaware, 1959) has written and illustrated about 40 books for children. Her books include Fraction Action and The Shocking Truth about Electricity. Children can visit her website, especially her projects page, at: Loreen Leedy.

Betty Ren Wright (born Wakefield, Michigan, 1927; died Racine, Wisconsin, December 31, 2013) wrote at least 35 books for children. Her works include The Ghost in the Window and Nothing but Trouble.

World Sea Turtle Day

 Events
Jun 162026
 

Green Sea Turtle

World Sea Turtle Day is today. The day draws attention to the plight of sea turtles. The day also honors Dr. Archie Carr, called the “father of sea turtle biology.” Dr. Carr’s birthday is today. Seven species of sea turtle exist, and six of them are either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The Kemp’s Ridley and the Hawksbill are critically endangered. The Green Sea Turtle is endangered. The Loggerhead, the Olive Ridley, and the Leatherback are vulnerable. The Flatback Sea Turtle is data deficient. Children can learn more at: NOAA.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jun 162026
 

Archie Carr (born Mobile, Alabama, 1909; died Micanopy, Florida, May 21, 1987) was a conservationist, professor, and herpetologist best known for his research regarding sea turtles. He revealed that sea turtles were dropping in population because their habitats were being destroyed. He also pointed out that humans were harvesting sea turtles and sea turtle eggs to the point where the numbers were in danger. He wrote nine books sharing his knowledge. Children can learn more at: Archie Carr National Refuge.

Jennifer L. Holm (born California, 1968) writes books for children. She has received three Newbery Honor Awards: in 2000 for Our Only May Amelia, in 2007 for Penny from Heaven, and in 2011 for Turtle in Paradise. She also writes graphic novels and comic books, illustrated by her brother, Matthew Holm. Children could visit her website at: http://www.jenniferholm.com/.

Barbara McClintock (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1902; died Huntington, New York, September 2, 1992) was a world-famous cytogeneticist, studying genetics at the cellular level. She received the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work in discovering “mobile genetic elements.” Older children could read Barbara McClintock: Pioneering Geneticist by Ray Spangenburg and Diane Kit Moser.

Joyce Carol Oates (born Lockport, New York, 1938) has written novellas, short stories, poetry, plays, and at least 58 novels. Some of her works have been written for children and young adults, including Freaky Green Eyes and Come Meet Muffin!

National Eat Your Vegetables Day

 Events
Jun 172026
 

National Eat Your Vegetables Day is today! It coincides with the middle of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. The day emphasizes the importance of vegetables in our diet. Children could celebrate the day in a variety of ways. They could make a list of all the vegetables they can think of. They could make categories of vegetables: vegetables that are really fruits (think tomato); leafy vegetables, root vegetables, seed vegetables, and stem vegetables. They could poll friends and family members as to favorite vegetables. They could choose a vegetable, research it, and share their findings. They could make a vegetable dip and enjoy with other vegetables.

Iceland Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Jun 172026
 

Flag of Iceland

Iceland celebrates Independence Day. It gained its independence from Denmark in 1944. Vikings settled on the island in the ninth century AD. According to the CIA World Factbook, Iceland is approximately the size of Kentucky. About 315,000 people live on this hotspot for volcanic activity.  Less than one percent of the land can be farmed. Reykjavik is the capital. Children can learn more at: Iceland.

Battle of Bunker Hill – 1775

 Events
Jun 172026
 
Battle of Bunker Hill

Battle of Bunker Hill

Battle of Bunker Hill occurred in 1775. Actually most of the military action took place on nearby Breed’s Hill. Britain won the battle, but they suffered severe casualties. The Patriot forces retreated, but they lost few soldiers. The battle proved to the British that the Patriots were better organized than they thought. Children could learn more at: Bunker Hill.

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