Battles of Lexington and Concord, 1775

 Events
Apr 192024
 
Battles of Lexington and Concord

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Battles of Lexington and Concord, in 1775, marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. About 700 British troops were marching toward Lexington and Concord to destroy military supplies. Approximately 70 Minutemen met the redcoats in Lexington. Records do not indicate clearly who fired the first shot, but eight Minutemen died. Ten more Minutemen were injured. One British soldier was wounded. The British continued on to Concord and then turned back toward Boston. Along the way, patriots shot at the redcoats. British casualties came to 250, and American casualties numbered 90. Children could learn more at: Minute Man National Historical Park.

Boston Marathon Premiered in 1897

 Events
Apr 192024
 

Boston Marathon Premiered in 1897. It was created to honor the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord. The marathon is the world’s oldest such race. Fifteen men participated that day, Patriots’ Day. Women unofficially began running in the race in 1966 and officially in 1967. In 1975 the Marathon began a wheelchair divison. Today the race attracts about 30,000 participants and 500,000 spectators. The race is still held on Patriots’ Day, but that day is now the third Monday in April.

Ingenuity Became First Invention to Fly on another Planet in 2021

 Events
Apr 192024
 

Ingenuity became the first invention to fly on another planet in 2021. Ingenuity, also called Ginny, is a robotic helicopter that flew above the surface of Mars. It is part of NASA’s Mars 2020 Mission. It, with the robotic Perseverance rover, landed on Mars on February 18, 2021. It is equipped with sensors and two cameras. Ginny was created to send back photos and data regarding Mars. Ginny, as of April 15, 2023, had conducted 50 flights.  It performed its last flight on January 18, 2024. It then sustained damaged to its rotor blade.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 192024
 

Jon Agee (born Nyack, New York, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. His books include Milo’s Hat Trick and Ludlow Laughs. Children can visit his interesting website at: Jon Agee.

Sarah G. Bagley (born Candia, New Hampshire, 1806; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1889) became the first female telegraph operator on February 21, 1846. A women’s rights advocate, she also worked to make millwork safer for women. Children could read an excellent biography of her at: Sarah G. Bagley.

Lucretia Garfield

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield (born Hiram, Ohio, 1832; died South Pasadena, California, March 14, 1918) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881. She was the wife of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States. Children can visit a website at: Lucretia Garfield.

Jean Lee Latham (born Buckhannon, West Virginia, 1902; died Florida, June 13, 1995) wrote at least 34 books, mainly biographies, for children. Her book Carry On, Mr. Bowditch received the 1956 Newbery Medal.

Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman (born Newton, Massachusetts, 1721; died New Haven, Connecticut, July 23, 1793) was the only patriot to sign four of America’s most valuable documents, the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1789 to 1791 and in the Senate from 1791 to 1793. Children could read the chapter about Roger Sherman in American Revolutionaries and Founders of the Nation, by James Meisner, Jr. and Amy Ruth. Children can learn more at: Roger Sherman.

Javaka Steptoe (born New York, New York, 1971) writes and illustrates children’s books. He received the 1998 Coretta Scott King Award for In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall. Steptoe received a 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow. He also earned the 2017 Caldecott Medal for his book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Children can visit his website at: Javaka Steptoe.