Welcome Stranger Gold Nugget was discovered at Moliagul, Victoria, Australia, in 1869. The largest alluvial gold nugget ever found, the Welcome Stranger weighed almost 2,284 ounces. It measured 24 inches by 12 inches. The nugget was melted down and formed into ingots that were sent to the Bank of England.
Bear in Big Bend National Park
National Wildlife Federation was established in 1936. The group’s mission statement is: Inspiring Americans to Protect Wildlife for Our Children’s Future.
The four-million-member group has three powerful goals:
• Finding solutions to the climate crisis
• Turning inside kids out
• Safeguarding America’s wildlife and wild places.
Children could visit the group’s website for children at: http://www.nwf.org/kids.aspx.
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Hank Aaron
Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron (born Mobile, Alabama, 1932; died Atlanta, Georgia, January 22, 2021) was a Baseball Hall of Famer. He broke Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714, hitting 715 home runs on April 8, 1974. He concluded his career with 755 home runs. Children could read Hank Aaron’s Dream by Matt Tavares. They could also learn more at: Hank Aaron.
John Jeffries (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1745; died Boston, Massachusetts, September 16, 1819) was a scientist and physician. He and Jean Pierre Blanchard, on January 4, 1785, were the first to cross the English Channel in a hot air balloon, a dangerous adventure. He is perhaps best known for his meteorological observations, resulting in today’s National Weatherperson’s Day.
Patricia Lauber (born New York, New York, 1924; died New Canaan, Connecticut, March 12, 2010) wrote over 125 books for children. She received a Newbery Honor Award in 1986 for Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mount Saint Helens. Children can learn more about her at: Patricia Lauber.
David Wiesner (born Bridgewater, New Jersey, 1957) is a children’s book author and illustrator. He has received three Caldecott Medals: Tuesday in 1992, The Three Pigs in 2002, and Flotsam in 2007. He has also earned three Caldecott Honor Awards: Free Fall in 1989, Sector 7 in 2000, and Mr. Wuffles! in 2014. Children can visit his site at: David Wiesner.
John Witherspoon (born near Edinburgh, Scotland, 1723; died Princeton, New Jersey, November 15, 1794) signed the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, he served on over 100 committees. Representing New Jersey, he attended the second Continental Congress. He signed the Articles of Confederation and favored the Constitution. A clergyman, he was president of the College of New Jersey, known today as Princeton University. His students included James Madison and William Bradford. Older children can learn more at: John Witherspoon.
Massachusetts State Flag
Massachusetts became the sixth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. The word Massachusetts means, “at or about the great hill.” The state ranks forty-fifth in size and thirteenth in population. Its state beverage is cranberry juice. They could toast Massachusetts’s birthday with cranberry juice.
New Zealand remembers Waitangi Day. In 1840 the Maori and the Europeans signed the Treaty of Waitangi, permitting Great Britain to develop New Zealand. About the size of the state of Colorado, New Zealand is comprised of mostly mountains with some coastal plains. Slightly over four million people live on the islands. Wellington is the capital. The country exports dairy products, meat, wool, and wood products. The kiwi is native to New Zealand. Children can learn more at: New Zealand.
Amendment Twenty to the Constitution was adopted in 1933. It moved the inauguration day of the President to January 20th at noon. It also changed the first day of a Congressional session to January 3rd. Prior to 1933 the President was inaugurated on March 4th. During colonial times, a period of four months between election and inauguration was reasonable due to travel time and communication limitations. However, as travel and technology improved, four months became much too long to have a lame duck President. Therefore, the inauguration date was moved up to January 20th. Children can read the actual amendment at: Amendment Twenty.
Alan Shepard in 1971 became the first person to play golf on the moon. Commander of Apollo 14, he and his crew left earth on January 31, 1971. They reached the moon on February 5, 1971. He smuggled two golf balls on the Apollo 14 flight and hit both of them with an assembled golf club. He stated that the balls went “miles and miles and miles.” However, the golf balls probably traveled between 200 and 400 yards. The crew returned safely to earth February 9, 1971. Students could learn more about Shepard at: Alan Shepard.
Aaron Burr (born Newark, New Jersey, 1756; died Staten Island, New York, September 14, 1836) was a senator and the third vice president of the United States. He ran against Thomas Jefferson for the presidency in 1800. Each received the same number of electoral votes. According to the Constitution at that time, the House of Representatives decided who was to be president, and Jefferson won. Burr was not renominated in 1804, and he did not win the governorship of New York. Burr blamed Alexander Hamilton for these losses and challenged Hamilton to a duel. Burr killed Hamilton, but Burr’s career was ruined.
Betsy Duffey (born Atlanta, Georgia) writes books for children. Her books include Dog Diaries and How to Be Cool in Third Grade.
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan (born Tampico, Illinois, 1911; died Bel Air, California, June 5, 2004) was the fortieth president (1981-1989) of the United States. One of his first jobs was being a radio sports announcer. He became an actor and appeared in over fifty movies. He was elected governor of California, although he had no political experience. He became president in 1980 and created the term “Reaganomics.” Children could visit a website at: Ronald Reagan. Idea: He was the country’s oldest president when he left office. Children could debate whether there should be an age limit to the office.
Babe Ruth
George Herman “Babe” Ruth (born Baltimore, Maryland, 1895; died New York, New York, August 16, 1948) was one of baseball’s greatest players. Nicknamed the “Great Bambino,” he was an outstanding pitcher with a record of 94 games won and 46 games lost. He was a greater batter, hitting 714 homeruns during his career. He also played in the outfield. He played for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Braves. Children could learn more at: Babe Ruth. Idea: Children could decide whether or not Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player of all time.
Flag of Grenada
Grenada celebrates Independence Day. Although it became free of British rule in 1974, it still recognizes King Charles III as its head of state. Carib Indians inhabited the island, located in the Caribbean, in the 1600’s. St. George’s is the capital. The 108,000 inhabitants depend a great deal on tourism. The island is about twice the size of Washington, DC. Nutmeg and mace are leading exports. Idea: Children could learn how nutmeg and mace are grown. Are nutmeg and mace different?
Ballet was performed for the first time in America in 1827. The Bowery Theater in New York City hosted a performance of The Deserter by Madame Francisquy Hutin and her troupe. Idea: Invite a ballet student to visit the class and demonstrate some basic ballet moves.