Flag of Paraguay
Paraguay recognizes its Independence Day of May 14 and celebrates that day on May 15. Paraguay became free of Spanish rule in 1811. The country, about the size of the state of California, is located in South America. About 6.6 million people live in this land-locked country. It exports cotton and soybeans, and Asuncion is the capital. Children can learn more at: Paraguay.
Statue of Pocahontas at Jamestown
Jamestown, Virginia, became the first permanent English colony in America in 1607. Three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery brought Captain John Smith and others to American shores. The ill-prepared colonists had left England on December 20, 1606. Children could learn more at: http://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm.
Meriwether Lewis
William Clark
Lewis and Clark Expedition left St. Louis, Missouri, in 1804. Their goal was to explore and map a portion of the Louisiana Purchase. They reached the Pacific Coast in 1805 and returned to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. Younger children could learn more at this amazing website: Lewis and Clark. Older children could read the explorers’ journals at: Project Gutenberg.
Historical Marker Camel Corps in Indianola, Texas
Thirty-four camels landed in Indianola, Texas, in 1856! After the United States won the Mexican-American War in 1846, the country acquired large land holdings in what is now Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The American army wanted to map the region and establish forts in the new lands. Horses and mules could not easily withstand the high temperatures, lack of consistent water, and rough terrain. The army decided to try camels as beasts of burden. The camels marched from Indianola to base camp at Camp Verde, Texas. Eventually another 41 camels arrived. The camels were well-suited to the terrain and climate; the Camel Corps trekked all the way to the Pacific Ocean and back. Unfortunately, the Civil War disrupted the region, and the camel experiment ended.
Sheet Music for The Stars and Stripes Forever
John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever was performed for the first time. Philadelphia hosted the 1897 event when a statue of George Washington was dedicated. Children can learn more at: Sousa. Children could hear the march at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7XWhyvIpE.
Flag of Israel
Israel celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut, the day it became a nation, in 1948. However, because the Jewish calendar is lunar, the day Israel celebrates its founding varies from year to year. Israel’s area is roughly the area of New Jersey. The country is home to 8.8 million people, and Jerusalem is the capital and largest city. It exports packaged medicines, medical equipment, and integrated circuits. Children can learn more at: Israel.
Skylab
Skylab was launched in 1973. Skylab, the first United States space station, was made to conduct around 300 scientific investigations. Three manned crews, Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4, carried out experiments there between May 1973 and February 1974. Skylab on July 11, 1979, reentered the earth’s atmosphere and broke apart. The pieces fell into the Indian Ocean and onto parts of Australia. Children could learn more at: Skylab.
North Cape, Norway, receives twenty-four hours of sun a day from this day until July 30. Idea: Children could brainstorm a list of advantages and disadvantages of so much sunlight.
Eoin Colfer (born Wexford, Ireland, 1965) writes books for children. His books include the Artemis Fowl series and The Legend of Spud Murphy. Children could visit his website at: Eoin Colfer.
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (born Danzig, Germany, 1686; died Amsterdam, Holland, September 16, 1736) was a scientist. The Fahrenheit temperature scale is named in honor of him. He was the first person to use mercury in thermometers. Today we do not use mercury in thermometers.
The Blue Boy
Thomas Gainsborough (born Sudbury, Suffolk, England, 1727; died London, England, August 2, 1788) was an artist specializing in portraits and landscapes. One of his most famous works is The Blue Boy. Children could view some of his works at: Gainsborough.
George Selden (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1929; died New York, New York, December 5, 1989) wrote at least 16 books for children. Perhaps his most well-known work is The Cricket in Times Square, which received a 1961 Newbery Honor Award. Children could learn more at: George Selden.