Nauru Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Jan 312025
 
Nauru

Flag of Nauru

Nauru celebrates Independence Day. It gained its independence from a United Nations Trusteeship managed by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in 1968. Nauru is a small island, only 8.1 square miles (one-tenth the size of Washington, DC), and supports about 10,000 inhabitants. Yaren is the capital. The interior used to hold reserves of phosphates, used to make fertilizers. However, the phosphates have been exhausted. Located just south of the equator in Micronesia, the country has a tropical climate.

First US Satellite Explorer I Was Launched in 1958

 Events
Jan 312025
 

First US Satellite Explorer I was launched in 1958, four months after Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 were sent into space. It returned data, including confirmation of the Van Allen Radiation Belts, to the United States for four months until the batteries died. More than 90 more Explorer projects followed. Children could view a table of all the Explorer projects at: Explorer Projects.

Apollo 14 Was Launched in 1971

 Events
Jan 312025
 

Apollo 14

Apollo 14 was launched in 1971! It was the third manned expedition to land on the moon. Commander Alan Shepard and Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell walked on the moon on February 5, while Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa stayed in lunar orbit. Shepard and Mitchell collected over 94 pounds of lunar rocks, and Roosa carried several hundred seeds that were later germinated after their return to earth. Shepard actually “played golf” on the moon on February 6. Apollo 14 successfully returned to earth on February 9, 1971. Older children could learn more at: Apollo 14.

Robinson Crusoe Day Is Today!

 Events
Feb 012025
 

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe Day is the anniversary of Alexander Selkirk’s rescue from the island Juan Fernandez in 1709. He landed on the island off the coast of Chile in 1704 after disagreeing with the captain. His exploits may have inspired Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Children can read Robinson Crusoe at: Project Gutenberg.

Supreme Court Opened Its First Session in 1790

 Events
Feb 012025
 
Supreme Court

Supreme Court

Supreme Court opened its first session in 1790. In that year the capital was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Supreme Court met in what is now Independence Hall. When the capital moved to Washington, DC, no Supreme Court building existed. The Court met in various parts of the Capitol Building and even met in a private home during the War of 1812. Until 1935 the Supreme Court continued to meet in various places. The Supreme Court Building opened in 1935. Children can learn more about at: Supreme Court.

Julia Ward Howe Published “Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1862

 Events
Feb 012025
 

Julia Ward Howe published “Battle Hymn of the Republic” as a poem in The Atlantic Monthly in 1862. The poem was a result of a visit she made to a Union army camp during the Civil War. Soldiers had asked her to create the lyrics of a “fighting song” to match a melody that already existed. She awoke one dawn and the words began to form the verses. She got up and wrote down the poem immediately. Children can read the lyrics and view a photograph of Julia Ward Howe at: Lyrics. Children can listen to the song at: Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Groundhog Day Is Today!

 Events
Feb 022025
 
Groundhog

Groundhog

Groundhog Day delights children. If a groundhog pops out of his burrow and sees his shadow, then winter will last another six weeks. Idea: Gather statistics as to whether or not the event really predicts the arrival of spring. Children can try some great Groundhog Day activities at: Groundhog Day. Children could also read Groundhog Day! by Gail Gibbons.

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