Articles of Confederation were ratified in 1781. This document consolidated the thirteen colonies into one country and was the early nation’s frame of government until the Constitution was written in 1789. Children could learn more at: Articles of Confederation.
Ohio State Flag
Ohio became the seventeenth state of the United States in 1803. The state’s nickname is the Buckeye State and the state tree is the buckeye. Columbus is the capital. The state ranks 34th in area, but it is the seventh most populous. Eight presidents were either born there or lived there. The official state beverage is tomato juice. Children could make and drink some tomato juice and figure out which presidents were born in or lived in Ohio.
Nebraska State Flag
Nebraska became the thirty-seventh state of the United States in 1867. The word Nebraska means flat water. Its nickname is the Cornhusker State, and it is a leading producer of corn and cattle. Lincoln is the state capital. Nebraska ranks fifteenth in area and 37th in population. Idea: Children could brainstorm a list of what to do with all those cornhusks.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. It was the country’s first national park and perhaps the world’s first national park. Comprising over 2,200,000 acres, it is mostly in Wyoming, but portions of the park extend into Idaho and Montana. It is known for beautiful vistas, plentiful wildlife, and interesting geothermal features. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Children could visit an Internet site, especially the portions for children and teachers, at: http://www.nps.gov/yell.
Venera 3, a Soviet unmanned space probe, crash landed on the surface of Venus in 1966. It was launched on November 16, 1965. It was the first man-made object to travel to another planet.
Buffalo National River
Credit: National Park Service
Buffalo National River was established in 1972. Located in northern Arkansas, a lower stretch of 135 miles of the Buffalo River is a national river. An upper stretch of eighteen miles is part of the Ozark National Forest. Children could learn more at: Buffalo National River.
Read Across America happens today! Read Across America takes place on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2nd. This activity is a great opportunity to get adults reading with children. Check out this site for many ideas: http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm.
Texas Flag
Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. Sixty Texans met and drafted a declaration of independence. They based their break from Mexico on about six concerns, including lack of religious freedom and lack of public schools. Texas was a country until February 19, 1846, when it became a state of the United States.
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier National Park became the country’s fifth national park in 1899. Located in the state of Washington, the park is almost 370 square miles. Mount Rainier, an active volcano, is the jewel of the park. Children can visit a website at: http://www.nps.gov/mora.
First Flight
Wright Brothers National Memorial was authorized in 1927. Originally designated Kill Devil Hills Memorial, the memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The 428-acre site pays tribute to the Wright Brothers’ original four flights on December 17, 1903. Children can learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm.