Japanese Surrender to End World War II
Japan formally surrendered in 1945 aboard the USS Missouri, ending World War II. The ceremony, broadcast around the world via radio, lasted about 23 minutes. The Allied copy of the surrender is located in the National Archives: World War II.
Flag of San Marino
San Marino celebrates Founding of the Republic Day. Saint Marinus, a stonemason, founded the country in AD 301. About a third of the size of Washington, DC, San Marino is a country within the country of Italy. Over 32,000 people live there, and the capital is the city of San Marino.
Flag of Qatar
Qatar celebrates Independence Day. It declared its freedom from Great Britain in 1971. About the size of Connecticut, Qatar is now ruled by Sheik Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The country obtains most of its income from oil and banking. Over two million people live in Qatar, and Doha is the capital.
Treaty of Paris by Benjamin West
Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. Great Britain and the United States signed the treaty, formally ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing the United States as an independent country. The negotiators for the United States were John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple. Benjamin West’s painting Treaty of Paris (shown here) displays the five American negotiators. The painting was never completed because the British refused to be included. At least one copy of the treaty is housed in the National Archives. Children can read a transcript of the treaty at: Treaty of Paris.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery in 1838. He boarded a train disguised as a free sailor in Baltimore and traveled to Philadelphia. Children can read about his escape at: Frederick Douglass. Children can also read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Peggy Whitson returned to earth on September 3, 2017. She set a new record of 665 days in space, including 288 days during her most recent stint on the International Space Station. She is now the American and any woman to spend the most time in space. She served on three missions on the space station. She set other space records as well. She is the oldest female astronaut at age 57, and she is the first woman to have commanded the International Space Station twice. The biochemist landed in a Soyuz capsule in Kazakhstan. Older children can learn more at: Peggy Whitson.
Romulus Augustulus, leader of the Roman Empire, was deposed in AD 476. This is a very confusing story. Romulus was made the Roman emperor by his father Orestes on October 31, 475. Poor Romulus was only about ten years old. After Romulus had been emperor for about ten months, barbarian leader Odoacer defeated Orestes and took over the leadership on this day in AD 476. However, he did not declare himself a Roman emperor. Many experts believe this event marks the fall of the Roman Empire. Idea: Children could find maps of the Roman Empire. How far did its power reach?
First self-service restaurant opened in 1885. The Exchange Buffet in Manhattan served food only to men; and because there were no tables, men ate standing. By 1921 around 34 Exchange Buffets had opened.
Mark Spitz in 1972 became the first person to win seven gold medals in one Olympic competition. He received gold medals in: 100 meter freestyle, 200 meter freestyle, 4 X 100 meter freestyle relay, 4 X 200 meter freestyle relay, 100 meter butterfly, 200 meter butterfly, and 4 X 100 meter medley relay. His record lasted until Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics.
Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Rainforest Day is today! The Amazon rainforest takes up 2.1 million square miles of land, occupying parts of Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Suriname, Peru, French Guiana, Guyana, Ecuador, and Colombia. About ten percent of all plant and animal species live in the Amazon rainforest. Twenty percent of all bird and fish species live there, and scientists are still identifying insect species native to the region. The Amazon rainforest has been experiencing deforestation as farmers slash and burn to create farmland. Children could learn more at: Amazon.