National Cabbage Day is today! A vegetable grown in even ancient times, the cabbage is a nutritious, versatile vegetable. The largest cabbage grown weighed 138 pounds 4 ounces! The world’s biggest producers of cabbage are China, India, Russia, South Korea, and Ukraine. In the United States, the biggest producers are California, New York, Florida, and Wisconsin. Idea: Children could research the health benefits of cabbage.
Flag of Kosovo
Kosovo celebrates Independence Day. In 2008 it broke away from Serbia. According to the CIA World Factbook, Kosovo is slightly larger than Delaware. Almost two million people live in this landlocked country. Pristina is the capital and largest city, and the country is rich in minerals and lignite.
Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, was married in the White House in 1906. She married Nicholas Longworth. The public was captivated by her and the wedding, and tickets for the wedding were difficult to come by. Eight other “First Daughters” have been married in the White House. Children could view a list of all weddings held at the White House at: White House Weddings.
Vanguard 2 was launched in 1959. The 21.5 pound satellite became the first weather station in space. While it no longer sends data, it still circles the earth. Scientists gather data about it regarding gravity and atmospheric drag. Children could learn more about it at: Vanguard 2.
NEAR-Shoemaker
NEAR-Shoemaker was launched in 1996. Almost five years later, on February 12, 2001, it became the first spacecraft to land on a meteor. NEAR-Shoemaker landed on near-earth asteroid Eros and sent back data until February 28, 2001. The extreme cold on the asteroid probably prevented the return of more data. Older children can learn more at: http://science.nasa.gov/missions/near/.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is today. For many Christians today means a day of religious introspection.
Flag of The Gambia
The Gambia celebrates Independence Day. It gained its independence from Great Britain in 1965. Banjul is the capital of this small country, located on the northwestern coast of Africa. According to the CIA World Factbook, The Gambia is about twice the size of Delaware. Almost two million people live in The Gambia, and about 75 percent of its inhabitants are farmers.
The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come was published in 1678. Written by John Bunyan, the book has been translated into 200 languages. Children can read his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Pluto
Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde W. Tombaugh. As far back as 1905, Percival Lowell felt that an unknown planet was influencing the orbits of Neptune and Uranus. However, he died without finding the planet. Tombaugh used Lowell’s work to predict the location and was successful in 1930. Pluto’s day is about six earth days, and its year is about 248 earth years. The average temperature is about -342 degrees to -369 degrees Fahrenheit. Pluto is named after the ancient god of the underworld. Pluto was demoted from planet to dwarf planet on August 24, 2006, by the International Astronomical Union. Children can learn more at: Pluto.
Dairy Cow
Elm Farm Ollie in 1930 was the first cow to be milked while flying in an airplane. Born and raised in Bismarck, Missouri, Elm Farm Ollie, also known as Nellie Jay and Sky Queen, produced 24 quarts of milk during the 72-mile flight. The milk was placed into paper cartons, and the cartons were dropped by parachute over St. Louis, Missouri, to the spectators below. Elsworth W. Bunce became famous as the first person to milk a cow in a flying airplane. Idea: Children could write a newspaper account of this story, including the important WHY?.