Great American Solar Eclipse Occured in 2017

 Events
Aug 212019
 

Solar Eclipse Map Courtesy of NASA

Great American Solar Eclipse occurred in 2017! The eclipse began in the northwest around 9:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time and crossed the country in a southeasterly direction. It concluded around 4:09 Eastern Daylight Time in the southeast. Around two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses happen every year, but this eclipse was so special because it crossed the entire United States. The next solar eclipse influencing the United states will be in seven years, but it will not be as monumental as that eclipse.

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Happy Birthday, Hawaii!

 Events
Aug 212019
 
320px-Reef_Triggerfish

Humuhumunukunukuapuaa
Photo courtesy of Dwijnker

Hawaii's Flag

Hawaii’s Flag

Hawaii became the fiftieth state of the United States in 1959. Evidence indicates people lived on the islands as early as AD 500. James Cook first visited Hawaii in 1778, and he died there in 1779. Honolulu is the state capital, and the state’s nickname is the Aloha State. Since the development of the jet airplane, the islands have become quite a tourist spot. Scientists are trying to channel the geothermal energy from the volcano Mauna Loa. The state fish is the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. Children could visit an Internet site at: Hawaii. Idea: Children could plan a simple luau.

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Lincoln-Douglas Debates Began in 1858

 Events
Aug 212019
 

Lincoln-Douglas debates began in 1858. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas provided the voters of Illinois a chance to see the candidates for a senate seat. The last debate was held in Alton, Illinois, on October 15, 1858. Although Lincoln lost the election, he became more known nationally. Older children can read transcripts of the speeches at: Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

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Adding Machine Was Patented in 1888 by W. S. Burroughs

 Events
Aug 212019
 
Adding Machine Patent Illustration

Adding Machine Patent Illustration

Adding machine was patented in 1888 by W. S. Burroughs. He received patent number 388,116. Children could view his patent at: Adding Machine.

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Mona Lisa Was Stolen from the Louvre in 1911

 Events
Aug 212019
 
Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in 1911. A former employee of the Louvre, Vincenzo Peruggia, had removed her from the glass case he helped build. Then he stored the painting in his apartment. He tried to ransom the painting two years later, but he was caught. The Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre. Children could visit a website at: Mona Lisa.

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Gemini 5 Was Launched into Space in 1965

 Events
Aug 212019
 
Gemini 5 Liftoff

Gemini 5 Liftoff

Gemini 5 was launched into space in 1965. For eight days astronauts L. Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad orbited the earth. While orbiting the earth 128 times, they launched the first satellite from a manned craft. They returned to earth on August 29, 1965.

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Birthdays

 Birthdays
Aug 212019
 

William “Count” Basie (born Red Bank, New Jersey, 1904; died Hollywood, Florida, April 26, 1984) was a composer, pianist, and bandleader who loved jazz.

X. J. Kennedy (born Dover, New Jersey, 1929) writes poetry and novels for both adults and children. His children’s books include Elefantina’s Dream and Uncle Switch: Loony Limericks.

Arthur Yorinks (born Roslyn, New York, August 27, 1953) writes and directs plays and operas. He has also written at least 35 books for children. he wrote Hey, Al, which earned illustrator Richard Egielski the 1987 Caldecott Medal.

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