Patty Murray became the first woman Senate President Pro Tempore in 2023. She is the most senior Democrat in the Senate. She presides over the Senate when Vice President Kamala Harris is not present. The Senate President Pro Tempore is third in line for the Presidency, after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.
Flag of Myanmar
Myanmar, also known as Burma, celebrates Independence Day. It became free from British rule in 1948. According to the CIA World Factbook, Myanmar is a bit smaller than Texas. About 55 million people live in this southeast Asian country, and about 4.25 million people live in the capital of Rangoon. Monsoons plague this resource-rich, including natural gas, timber, and mining, country. Older children could learn more at: Myanmar.
Utah State Flag
Utah became the forty-fifth state of the United States in 1896. The state capital is Salt Lake City, and its state nickname is the Beehive State. It is the thirteenth largest state, and it ranks 30th in population compared to other states. Utah’s Great Salt Lake, located in the northern part of the state, is really the remnant of an inland sea. Because its waters do not drain into another body of water, the lake is becoming saltier and saltier. Children can visit an Internet site at: Utah. Idea: Let’s make a connection regarding the Great Salt Lake. Items float with more ease in salt water than in fresh water. Fill one container with fresh water, and fill another container with salt water. Try floating various objects. Record the results.
First appendectomy was performed in 1885 in Davenport, Iowa. Dr. William West removed Mary Gartside’s appendix; she lived for at least another 30 years.
Blue Bird Photo Taken by Ken Thomas
National Audubon Society incorporated in 1905. Named after the naturalist and ornithologist, John James Audubon, the society now has 500 local chapters. The group continues to focus on birds, as evidenced by its annual Christmas bird count that this year occurs between December 14th and January 5th. The Audubon Society works to protect other animals as well and lobbies for conservation. It also provides education. Children can visit the group’s website at: http://www.audubon.org.
Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor. She became Wyoming’s top executive in 1925. Her husband was governor, but he died of complications from an appendectomy. She then ran for the governorship and won. The National Governors Association provides a great database regarding governors at: http://www.nga.org/cms/home.html. Children could find out how many of today’s governors are women.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver Recognition Day remembers his death in 1943 in Tuskegee, Alabama. Carver’s exact birthday is unknown, but he was probably born a slave in 1864. He worked hard to earn an education. Booker T. Washington brought him to Tuskegee University in 1896, and Carver stayed there for 47 years. There he taught farmers to rotate crops and to grow crops other than cotton. He is famous for devising many uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes. Children could read more at: George Washington Carver.
Christmas is celebrated by members of the Armenian Church.
Epiphany is celebrated by some Christians. Some people believe the magi visited Jesus on this day. In some cultures gifts are exchanged, and special dinners take place.
La Befana visits children in Italy. The “Befana,” or witch, enters homes the previous night through the chimney. She leaves good children nice toys in their stockings. Bad children find coal in their stockings. The day is celebrated with parades and feasts. Children could read a classic, The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola.
New Mexico State Flag
New Mexico became the forty-seventh state of the United States in 1912. Although New Mexico is one of the youngest states, it boasts some of the oldest American structures. Spaniards traveled on El Camino Real (the Royal Highway) in 1581; and Santa Fe, the capital, was built in 1609 or 1610. New Mexico ranks fifth in area but 36th in population. Children could visit an Internet site at: New Mexico. Idea: Children could create some math problems regarding how long ago New Mexico’s historical treasures were created.
George Washington Carver received Patent Number 1522176 in 1925. The patent concerned a “pomade or vanishing cream” made from peanuts. Prior to his patent, most pomades were made from animal fat.