2024 February 11 » Celebrate and Learn

International Day of Women and Girls in Science Is Today

Events

Feb 112024

United Nations Flag

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is today. Created by the United Nations in December of 2015, the day is dedicated to bringing gender equality to the fields of math and science. Presently about 97 percent of Nobel Laureates are men and only three percent are women. Women in the fields of math and science are often paid less than their male counterparts. “More women and girls in science equals better science,” stated Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General. Children can learn more at: Women and Girls in Science.

National Inventors’ Day Is Today!

Events

Feb 112024

An Early Edison Light Bulb

National Inventors’ Day is today! In 1983 President Ronald Reagan declared February 11 to be National Inventors’ Day, honoring Thomas Edison who was born on this day in 1847. The day recognizes all inventors and encourages everyone to try out new ideas. Children could list all the inventors they can think of and perhaps rank them in order of importance. They could research famous people who were also inventors. For example, Abraham Lincoln is the only president who received a patent. They could also learn more about creating an invention by reading Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors by Susan Casey.

Philadelphia Established the First Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, in the United States in 1751

Events

Feb 112024

Philadelphia established the first hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, in the United States in 1751. Aided by Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Thomas Bond created the hospital where people received free medical care. Children can take a virtual tour of the old buildings at: Pennsylvania Hospital.

Vatican Achieved Its Independence from Italy in 1929

Events

Feb 112024

Flag of the Vatican

Vatican achieved its independence from Italy in 1929. While Vatican City had been separate from Rome for centuries, documents signed this day in 1929 made the Vatican a distinct government. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Vatican is about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC. The smallest country in the world, the Vatican is home to around 850 people. More than four million people visit the Vatican each year. Children could learn more at: Vatican.

Nelson Mandela Was Freed from Prison in South Africa in 1990

Events

Feb 112024

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was freed from prison in South Africa in 1990. He had been in prison for 27 years due to his anti-apartheid activities. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He was elected president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He died on December 5, 2013. Children can learn more at: Nelson Mandela.

Birthdays

Feb 112024

Edison Holding a Light Bulb
NPS Photograph

Thomas Alva Edison (born Milan, Ohio, 1847; died Menlo Park, New Jersey, October 18, 1931) held more than 1,200 patents. He invented the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and part of the telephone transmitter. Children can learn more by visiting the Thomas Edison National Park website at: Thomas Alva Edison.

Holly Keller (born New York, New York, 1942) writes and illustrates books for children. She has written and illustrated at least 35 books, including Geraldine and Mrs. Duffy and Farfalina and Marcel, which received the Charlotte Zolotow Award in 2005. She has also illustrated at least 20 books by other authors, including Patricia Lauber and Paul Showers.

Mo Willems (born Des Plaines, Illinois, 1968) is an animator and a writer/illustrator of at least 80 books for children. He has received three Caldecott Honor Awards: Don’t Let the Pigeons Drive the Bus in 2004, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale in 2005, and Knuffle Bunny: A Case of Mistaken Identity in 2008. He has also received two Theodore Geisel Awards: There is a Bird on Your Head in 2008 and Are You Ready to Play Outside? in 2009. Children can visit his very interesting website at: Mo Willems.

Jane Yolen (born New York, New York, 1939) has written over 400 books for children, and she has received many, many awards. Her book Devil’s Arithmetic received the 1989 Sydney Taylor Award. She has received three Golden Kite Awards: The Girl Who Cried Flowers and other Tales in 1974, The Transfigured Hart (Honor Book) in 1975, and Moon Ribbons and other Tales (Honor Book) in 1976. She wrote The Emperor and the Kite, and its illustrator, Ed Young, received a Caldecott Honor Award in 1968. She wrote Owl Moon, and its illustrator, John Schoenherr, received the 1988 Caldecott Medal. Children can visit her very interesting website at: Jane Yolen.