North American River Otter
World Otter Day is today. Created by the International Otter Survival Fund, the day is celebrated on the last Wednesday in May. Thirteen species of otters exist, and these species live in either fresh water or salt water. Otters are carnivorous, eating mostly fish. Some species use rocks to break open shellfish. Children can learn more at: IOSF.
Flag of Nepal
Nepal celebrates Republic Day. It declared itself a republic in 2008. Located in the Himalayas between China and India, the country is about the size of Arkansas. Eight of the ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest, are within the country’s boundaries. Almost 31 million people live in Nepal, and Kathmandu is the capital. Children could learn more at: Nepal.
Rhode Island Flag
Rhode Island became the thirteenth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1790. Its name relates back to the island of Rhodes. It was the last of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union. The smallest of all the states, it manufactures jewelry, silver and textiles. Rhode Island ranks 45th in population. Providence is the state capital, and the state nicknames are the Ocean State and Little Rhody. The state bird is the Rhode Island Red, a hen that can lay up to 300 eggs per year. IDEA: Children might want to boil some eggs and make egg salad. They could also visit an Internet site at: Rhode Island.
Wisconsin Flag
Wisconsin became the thirtieth state of the United States in 1848. Its nicknames include the Badger State and the Dairy State. Madison is the state capital. Its name seems to date back to an Ojibwa word, “wishkonsing,” perhaps meaning “the place where we live.” Wisconsin’s state beverage is milk, and the state grain is corn. Children could visit an Internet site at: Wisconsin. They could also sample some Wisconsin cheese.
Constantinople fell in 1453. The Ottomans conquered the city after a siege, and the Byzantine Empire came to an end.
Hillary and Norgay
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They arrived at the top in 1953 at 11:30 AM. As of January 2023 approximately 6,338 people have made the ascent since then.
Detail of National World War II Memorial
National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC, in 2004. Located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, the National World War II Memorial pays tribute to the 16 million American men and women who served in the armed forces. Over 400,000 of those died. Work on the project began in 1993. Children can learn more at: http://www.nps.gov/nwwm/index.htm.
Andrew Clements (born Camden, New Jersey, 1949; died Baldwin, Maine, November 29, 2019) wrote at least 60 books for children. His books include Frindle and the Jake Drake series.
Eleanor Coerr (born Canada, 1922; died New York, New York, November 22, 2010) wrote at least seventeen books for children. Her most popular book was probably Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.
Brock Cole (born Charlotte, Michigan, 1938) writes and illustrates books for children and young adults. His works include Larky Mavis and Fair Monaco. He also illustrates books written by other authors.
Patrick Henry (born Studley, Virginia, 1736; died near Brookneal, Virginia, June 6, 1799) was a patriot and a speaker. He opposed the Stamp Act, and he is famous for his “Give me Liberty or give me Death” speech, given March 23, 1775. He continued to be active in politics after the Revolutionary War. Children could learn more at: Patrick Henry.
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (born Brookline, Massachusetts, 1917; assassinated in Dallas, Texas, November 22, 1963) was the thirty-fifth president (1961-1963) of the United States. He graduated from Harvard and was wounded during World War II. Representing Massachusetts, he was a member of Congress for three terms before he was elected to the Senate. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles in Courage. He defeated Richard Nixon in the presidential race by only 118,000 votes. He was committed to the space program, and he sponsored the Peace Corps. Children could learn more at: John Kennedy.
Willo Davis Roberts (born Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1928; died Granite Falls, Washington, November 19, 2004) wrote 99 books for children and young adults. She earned three Edgar Allan Poe Awards: Megan’s Island in 1988, The Absolutely True Story of My Visit to Yellowstone with the Terrible Rupes in 1994, and Twisted Summer in 1996.
T. H. White (born Bombay, India, 1906; died Athens, Greece, January 17, 1964) was a novelist. He is most known for his Arthurian works. He published The Sword in the Stone in 1938. The Queen of Air and Darkness was published in 1939, and The Ill-Made Knight was printed in 1940. The Candle in the Wind was published in 1958. Later he assembled all four of these books into The Once and Future King, published in 1958. Children can learn more at: T. H. White.