Spinach farmers in Crystal City, Texas, built a statue of Popeye in 1937. About half the spinach consumed in the United States is grown in Texas. China is the world’s leading producer of spinach. Children can learn about spinach and its nutritional values at: Spinach.
Japanese Cherry Trees
Cherry trees were first planted in Washington, DC, in 1912. First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda (the Japanese ambassador’s wife) planted the first of three thousand trees. The original trees were a gift from Japan to the United States. Since then, some propagates from the trees have been sent back to Japan. Other propagates have been planted around Washington, DC, to maintain the lineage. Children can learn more at: Cherry Blossoms.
White House Reconstruction
President Truman and his family moved back into the White House in 1952 after major renovations had been completed. The family had left in late 1948 when the building was deemed to be unsafe. Children can learn more about the White House at: White House.
Johannes Amos Comenius
Johannes Amos Comenius published the first children’s picture book in 1658. Orbis Pictus, originally written in Latin, was also called A World of Things Obvious to the Senses drawn in Pictures. Children can read a 1727 English translation and a Latin version at: Project Gutenberg.
Washing machine was patented by Nathaniel Briggs in 1797. A fire in the patent office in 1836 destroyed all records of his patent. However, his patent probably resembled a current wash board.
Constantinople, Turkey’s largest city, changed its name to Istanbul in 1930. Also, Turkey’s capital and second largest city, Angora, changed its name to Ankara. Children can learn more about Turkey in general at: Turkey.
First national curling championships were held in 1957. Today about 1.5 million people participate in curling events. Children could learn more about curling at: http://www.worldcurling.org/.
Frozen Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls stopped flowing for one day in 1848. Ice had jammed the river. Children could learn more at: Niagara Falls.
Herbert Hoover
White House had its first telephone installed in the Oval Office in 1929. Herbert Hoover was President. President Rutherford B. Hayes had the first White House telephone installed on May 10, 1877, but that telephone was located in the telegraph room.
Cheese, butter, and meat were rationed in 1943 as part of the effort to win World War II. Shoppers received ration books with stamps. When the shopper no longer had stamps for a certain product, that product could not be bought until next month. Sugar, tires, and gasoline were also rationed. Rationing was lifted in 1946. Children could learn many more facts at the excellent website: Food Rations.