International Hot and Spicy Food Day is today! Scientists have found evidence that people as long ago as 6000 years were adding spices to their foods. Idea: Children could list hot and spicy dishes that they enjoy!
Jan 162025
Jan 162025
Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5, both Soviet space craft, docked and conducted the first transfer of crew members in space in 1969. The transfer actually happened through a space walk. The transfer was successful, but the return of Soyuz 5 was truly amazing. The cosmonaut in Soyuz 5 barely survived a landing that would make a great movie. Idea: The children could research the problems of space docking and returning to earth.
Jan 162025
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the 24th president of Liberia in 2006. She won the 2005 elections and was re-elected in 2011. She, with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakel Karman of Yemen, received the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for their nonviolent work to help women. Educated in the United States, Sirleaf is the first elected female head of state of an African country. Her term of office ended January 22, 2018. Older children could learn more at: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Jan 172025
Ben Franklin
Kid Inventors’ Day is today! This day was chosen because it is Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. Franklin was a prolific inventor, creating bifocals, the Franklin stove, and even Daylight Saving Time. Children can learn more at: http://www.kidinventorsday.com/.
Jan 172025
James Cook
James Cook in 1773 became the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle. Sailing on the Resolution, Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle twice more on the voyage. On the same trip he visited a number of locations, including Easter Island, Tahiti, and the New Hebrides. Children could learn more at: James Cook.
Jan 172025
James Madison Randolph was born in 1806 in the White House. The grandson of Thomas Jefferson, he was the first child born in the White House. Only one other child was born IN the White House. Who could that person be? Children could find out more about the White House at: White House.
Jan 172025
Cable Car
Cable car was patented by Andrew Hallidie in 1871. San Francisco’s hilly terrain made transportation difficult for the horse-drawn carriages. Hallidie’s invention made life better for both people and horses. By 1920 most cities had changed to the cable car system. Children can learn more at: Cable Car.
Jan 182025
Polar bear was put on display in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1733. Idea: Children could discuss why this would be a very big event for that time period. Carnivores, polar bears are becoming rare. Today scientists estimate 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears exist. Experts believe that by 2050 that number will be cut in half. Children can learn more about polar bears and see some great photos at: Polar Bears. Interesting coincidence – Raymond Briggs, born on January 18th, wrote a book in 1994 about a polar bear called The Bear. It was made into a short animated video.
Jan 182025
James Cook
James Cook discovered Hawaiian Islands in 1778. He called the islands the Sandwich Islands to honor John Montagu, Fourth Earl of Sandwich and one of Cook’s sponsors. Remember that on January 17, 1773, James Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle – Busy man! Children can learn more at: James Cook.
Jan 182025
First Airplane Landing on a Ship
Airplane landed for the first time on a ship, the USS Pennsylvania, in 1911. Eugene B. Ely, the pilot, landed his Curtiss pusher on a platform built on the ship, located in San Francisco Bay. A tailhook system, designed by Hugh Robinson, successfully slowed and stopped the plane. Older children can learn more about the fascinating landing and the short life of the pilot at: Eugene B. Ely.