Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 042025
 

Maya Angelou (born Saint Louis, Missouri, 1928; died Winston-Salem, North Carolina, May 28, 2014) was an author and a poet. One of her most famous books is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Children can learn more at a site devoted to her: Maya Angelou.

Dorothea Lynde Dix (born Hampden, Maine, 1802; died Trenton, New Jersey, July 17, 1887) fought for social reform, especially regarding jails, insane asylums, and orphanages. Children could read Breaking the Chains: The Crusade of Dorothea Lynde Dix, by Peggy Colman. Older children could learn more at: Dorothea Dix.

Phoebe Gilman (born New York New York, 1940; died Toronto, Canada, August 29, 2002) was a picture book author and illustrator. Her works include Grandma and the Pirates and Jillian Jiggs.

Hicks Penn Treaty

Edward Hicks (born Langhorne, Pennsylvania, 1780; died Newtown, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1849) was a self-taught artist known for his many Peaceable Kingdoms. Children can see some of his works by visit this website and clicking on the names of the paintings: Edward Hicks.

Elizabeth Levy (born Buffalo, New York, 1942) has written over 100 children’s books. Her books include the Fletcher mysteries, the Something Queer is Going On series, and the Jodi and Jake mysteries. Children can learn more at: Elizabeth Levy.

Johanna Reiss (born Winterswijk, Netherlands, 1932) writes books for children. She moved to the United States during the 1950’s. She wrote The Upstairs Room, a memoir of her growing up during World War II. The book received a 1973 Newbery Honor Award and a Jane Addams Peace Association Honor Award. Her other books are also autobiographical. Children can view her website at: Johanna Reiss.

Glen Rounds (born near Wall, South Dakota, 1906; died Pinehurst, North Carolina, September 27, 2002) wrote and illustrated at least 100 children’s books. His works included Ol Paul, the Mighty Logger and Wild Horses of the Red Desert. Children could learn more at: Glen Rounds.

National Park Service Was Created in 1916

 Events
Apr 052025
 
Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

National Park Service was created in 1916. Today the service manages 424 national parks, national monuments, or national historic sites. According to the National Park Service, 312 million people visited the national parks in 2022. Children can learn more at: National Park Service. The website states that 49 states have some form of national park service site. Which state does not have a national park, national monument, or national historic site?

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Was Established in 1941

 Events
Apr 052025
 

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site was established in 1941. Located in Dare County, North Carolina, the site protects Roanoke Colony, the first English settlement in North America. The settlers, funded by Sir Walter Raleigh, arrived in 1587. However, by 1590 no settlers could be found. The area became the “Lost Colony.” Children could learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/fora/index.htm.

Kareem Abdul-Jabar Became the Highest Scorer in the NBA in 1984

 Events
Apr 052025
 

Kareem Abdul-Jabar became the highest scorer in the NBA in 1984. Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr., he scored 38,387 points in 1,560 games over twenty years. Children could create math problems regarding his basketball statistics. For example, they could find out his average number of points scored per game.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 052025
 

Benjamin Harrison V (born Virginia, 1726; died Virginia, April 24, 1791) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Virginia and was active in both the First Continental Congress and the Second Continental Congress. After the Revolutionary War, he was the fifth governor of Virginia. His son, William Henry Harrison, was elected the ninth President, but he died of pneumonia a month after taking office. William Henry Harrison’s grandson, Benjamin Harrison, was the 23rd President of the United States. Children could learn more at: Benjamin Harrison V.

Anthony Horowitz (born England, 1955) has written over 35 books for children. He also creates British television series, such as Foyle’s War. His books include the Alex Rider series, the Power of Five series, and the Diamond Brothers series. Children can learn more at: Anthony Horowitz.

Joseph Lister (born Upton, Essex, England, 1827; died Walmer, England, February 10, 1912) was the forefather of antiseptic surgery.

Colin Powell (born Harlem, New York, 1937; died Bethesda, Maryland, October 18, 2021) was a former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the United States. He was active in politics, and he was the first African American to be United States Secretary of State. Older children could read more at: Colin Powell.

Judith A. Resnik (born Akron, Ohio, 1949; died January 28, 1986) in 1984 became the second American woman to go into space. She died in the Challenger implosion. Children could learn more at: Judith Resnik.

Frank Stockton (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1834; died Washington, DC, April 20, 1902) wrote books for children. His works include The Bee-Man of Or and Other Fanciful Tales. He is perhaps best known for his story “The Lady, or the Tiger?” Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg. They can learn more at: Frank Stockton.

Booker Taliaferro Washington (born a slave in Franklin County, Virginia, 1856; died Tuskegee, Alabama, November 14, 1915) was an African American leader and educator. He founded the Tuskegee Institute, and he influenced presidents, governors, and members of Congress. Children can read a biography, Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington, by Jabari Asim. They can also read Washington’s book Up from Slavery at: Project Gutenberg.

First Modern Olympics Opened in Athens, Greece, in 1896

 Events
Apr 062025
 

The American Athletes

First modern Olympics opened in Athens, Greece, in 1896. It concluded April 15, 1896. Fourteen countries sent athletes, and events included athletics (some track and field events), gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, tennis, cycling, shooting, and fencing. Women did not compete until 1900, and the first winter Olympics occurred in 1924. Idea: Hold a class-wide Olympics. Include such events as reading and walking at the same time, spelling words associated with the Olympics, and conducting math problems related to sports statistics. Children could visit a website at: Olympics.

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