Oct 192024
 

International Archaeology Day is today! The day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October. Created by the Archaeological Institute of America, the day promotes knowledge of our many archaeological sites. The National Park Service is one of the day’s sponsors. Children could learn more at: International Archaeology Day.

Oct 192024
 

Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth

International Sloth Day is today! Celebrated on the third Saturday in October, the day raises awareness of sloths and their importance to the environment. Six types of sloth exist today; some species are three-toed and some are two-toed. All six types eat leaves of the group Cecropia. Two-toed sloths are omnivorous, eating fruits, carrion, and insects for example. Three-toed sloths are herbivorous. All living species of sloths today live in trees, but ancient, extinct ground-dwelling sloths could be the size of elephants. Interesting fact: about every eight days sloths slowly climb down their trees to pee and poop. Then they cover up their droppings and climb back up the trees.

Oct 192024
 
Cornwallis Surrenders

Cornwallis Surrenders

Yorktown Day marks the surrender of General Lord Cornwallis and his troops to George Washington in 1781. This surrender virtually ended the Revolutionary War. No other major battles occurred after this date, and the official peace agreement, the Treaty of Paris, was signed September 3, 1783. Children can learn more at: Yorktown Day.

Oct 192024
 

Ed Emberley (born Malden, Massachusetts, 1931) writes and illustrates children’s books. He received the 1968 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations of Drummer Hoff.  He is also known for his books about drawing, including his Thumbprint series. He has written and illustrated approximately 35 books. He has also illustrated about 35 books written by other authors. Idea: Children could make some thumbprint pictures after looking at his books. They could also visit his very interesting website at: Ed Emberley.

Dan Gutman (born New York, New York, 1955) has written at least 27 books for children. His works include The Homework Machine and Honus and Me. Children can visit his website at: Dan Gutman.

Annie Smith Peck (born Providence, Rhode Island, 1850; died New York, New York, July 18, 1935) was a famous mountain climber. In 1895 she scaled the Matterhorn. Later she climbed the Peruvian mountain Huascaran, setting a record for the highest peak ever climbed by man or woman in the western hemisphere. When she was 61, she climbed Mt. Coropuna in Peru. At the top of the 21,250 feet summit, she planted a banner stating “Votes for Women.” Idea: Children could find out when women did get the right to vote.

Philip Pullman (born Norwich, England, 1946) writes children’s books, novels for young adults, novellas, plays, short stories, and nonfiction. He wrote The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. He received the very prestigious Astrid Lindgren Award in 2005. He was knighted in 2019. Children could visit his website at: Philip Pullman.

Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (born Charles City County, Virginia, 1748; died Monticello, Virginia, September 6, 1782) was the wife of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. She died before Jefferson was elected president. They had six children, but only two lived to adulthood. These two daughters often filled the role of hostess at the White House. Children could visit a website at: Martha Jefferson.