Oct 022023
 
Marshall

Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was sworn into the Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African American Supreme Court Justice. He retired on June 27, 1991. Idea: Children learn more at: Thurgood Marshall. They could find out how Supreme Court Justices are appointed. Children could also read Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary by Juan Williams.

Oct 032023
 
Alfred Nobel

Alfred Nobel

Nobel Prizes will be announced this week.

The Nobel Prize in Medicine will be announced on Monday.

The Nobel Prize in Physics will be announced Tuesday.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be announced Wednesday.

The Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced Thursday.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday.

The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on Monday, October 12.

Oct 032023
 
Germany

Flag of Germany

Germany celebrates Unity Day. East Germany and West Germany had been two separate countries for 45 years. When they combined in 1990, they took West Germany’s name, the Federal Republic of Germany. Slightly smaller than the state of Montana, Germany has a temperate climate. Over 81 million people live there, and Berlin is the capital. Children could learn more at: Germany.

Oct 032023
 

Frank Robinson in 1974 became the first African American to be hired as a major league baseball team manager. He was the only player to be selected most valuable player by both the National League and the American League. He was hired to manage the Cleveland Indians. Children could learn more at: Frank Robinson.

Oct 042023
 

Mother and Child Chimpanzees

World Animal Day is today! First celebrated in 1925, the day aligns with the feast day of Saint Francis of Assissi, patron saint of animals. This year’s theme is Great or small, love them all. The day reminds us of the importance of animals and that we should care for them. The day also reminds us of the importance of saving endangered animal species. Idea: Children could list all the animals they can think of and then group them say into farm animals, forest animals, jungle animals. Then children could eat animal crackers.

Oct 042023
 

World Space WeekWorld Space Week, sponsored by the United Nations, is from October 4 through October 10. Created in 1999, the week commemorates events in space. This year’s theme is “Space Entrepeneurship.” Two events sparked the choice of these days:

  • Sputnik I, a Soviet spacecraft, was launched on October 4, 1957. It was the first successful man-made satellite, weighing 184 pounds and remaining in space for 21 days. Sputnik marked the beginning of the space race.
  • Members of the United Nations signed on October 10, 1967, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

Other events related to space and air travel on this date are:

  • Jet passenger service began in 1958. The British airliner Comet flew from London to New York.

    SpaceShipOne

  • Luna 3 was launched in 1959 by the Soviets. It was the first spacecraft to photograph the moon’s far side.
  • SpaceShipOne became in 2004 the first private, successful, manned venture into space. Its owners received the $10 million Ansari X Ten Prize for their efforts. SpaceShipOne is now in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.