Robert Fulton’s first steamboat North River Steamboat, also known as the Clermont, was operated for the first time in 1807. It traveled between Albany and New York City. At first called “Fulton’s Folly,” the ship cruised the 150-mile stretch in 32 hours.
Double Eagle II
Double Eagle II landed in Miserey, France, in 1978. The balloon and its crew, Larry Newman, Ben Abruzzo, and Max Anderson, had left Presque Island, Maine, on August 11, 1978. The balloon was the first one of its kind to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, and the three balloonists instantly became heroes. Idea: Children could list the difficulties the crew faced. For example, where did they sleep? Older children can learn more at: Double Eagle II.
On this day, two events connecting John White and Roanoke occurred:
Phobos
Phobos, one of the two moons of Mars, was discovered by Asaph Hall of the United States Naval Observatory in 1877. The moon was named after the Greek god Phobos, meaning fear. The small moon actually orbits Mars faster than Mars rotates. Experts believe Phobos may eventually break apart and form a ring around Mars. Children could learn more at: Phobos.
Women’s Air Derby took place in 1929. Also called the Powder Puff Derby by Will Rogers, this race was the first women-only flying competition. Twenty pilots left Santa Monica, California, on either August 18 or 19. They made eleven stops before they finished in Cleveland, Ohio. Most of the women completed the competition. Louise Thaden won the race in the heavier airplane competition, landing in Cleveland on August 26, 1929. Phoebe Omlie won the lighter airplane competition.
National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day is today. The day honors the birth of Orville Wright, the first of the brothers to fly a plane at Kitty Hawk. President Franklin Roosevelt first proposed the day in 1939. Children could celebrate the day by making and flying paper airplanes.
Honey Bee
World Honey Bee Day is today! Celebrated on the third Saturday in August, the day honors the insect and all that it does for our planet. In 2009 then Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsek issued a proclamation that the day was National Honey Bee Day. The day grew in popularity to what it is today. Honey bees are important because they pollinate so many different types of plants, including fruit trees and plants, vegetables, and nut trees. Bee are insects, so they have six legs. They have five eyes and two sets of wings. Bees communicate how far and in what direction food can be found by performing intricate dances.
Flag of Afghanistan
Afghanistan celebrates Independence Day. In 1919 Afghanistan gained its freedom from the United Kingdom. Slightly smaller than the state of Texas, land-locked Afghanistan has an arid to semi-arid climate. Its natural resources include metals and petroleum. Over 31 million people live there, and Kabul is the capital.
Indianapolis 500 Early Days
Indianapolis 500 Race Track opened in 1909. It went through significant changes to be the race track it is today.
All-American Soap Box Derby was held for the first time in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron, Ohio, in 1935 because the city had more hills. Today the race is still held in Akron, and all cars must be unpowered. However, the science behind the scenes is amazing! Children can learn more at: Soap Box Derby
Strelka and Belka
Korabl-Sputnik 2 was launched in 1960. The Soviet spacecraft carried two dogs (Strelka and Belka), forty mice, two rats, and some plants into orbit. The spacecraft was recovered, and all the animals survived the four-orbit mission.