Carpenter is the far right person in the first row
Scott Carpenter was launched into space in 1962. The fourth American to travel in space, he circled the earth three times. Aboard Aurora 7, he conducted five experiments in the five-hour voyage. He was the first astronaut to eat solid food in space. Children could learn more, including his aquanaut experiences, at: Scott Carpenter.
Diane deGroat (born Newton, New Jersey, 1947) has illustrated and/or written over 130 books for children. Her books include Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire and Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books. Children can visit her website at: Diane deGroat.
Emanuel Leutze (born Wurttenberg, Germany, 1816; died Washington, DC, July 18, 1868) came to America when he was nine years old. He started to paint at about age fifteen. Even though most people do not recognize his name, he painted some very famous pictures. They include Washington Crossing the Delaware and Columbus Before the Queen. Children can see some of his works at: Emanuel Leutze.
Ynes Mexia (born Washington, DC, 1870; died Berkeley, California, July 12, 1938) was a botanist who collected rare species of plants from South America and Mexico. She often traveled to remote and dangerous locations to find plants that had specific purposes. Children could learn more by reading Ynes Mexia: Botanist and Adventurer by Durlynn Anema.
Frank Oz (born Hereford, England, 1944) is a puppeteer. His characters include Miss Piggy and Cookie Monster.
Flag of Argentina
Argentina celebrates Revolution Day. It became free of Spanish rule in 1810. Spaniards explored the area around 1515. Argentina is about 30 percent the size of the United States. Known for its vast Pampas, the country is famous for its large cattle herds. About 42.6 million people live in Argentina, and Buenos Aires is the capital. Children could learn more about Argentina at: Argentina.
Flag of Jordan
Jordan celebrates Independence Day. This Middle Eastern country became free of a League of Nations mandate by British occupation in 1946 and adopted a monarchy. According to the CIA World Factbook, Jordan is a bit smaller than Indiana. Mostly a desert country, Jordan needs water and oil. It exports clothing. About 6.4 million people live in Jordan. Amman is the capital. Children can learn more at: Jordan.
National Tap Dance Day is held on the birthday of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Robinson was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1878. He started his dancing career in vaudeville. He opened on Broadway in 1927. Robinson appeared in several movies with Shirley Temple, including The Littlest Rebel and The Little Colonel. He died in New York, New York, on November 25, 1949.
Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. While the delegates came with ideas of revising the Articles of Confederation, they realized they had to create a new type of government. The Constitutional Convention concluded on September 17, 1787. Idea: Children could read Jean Fritz’s Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution.
Mass production of penicillin was patented by Andrew Moyer in 1948. Prior to that patent, penicillin was produced in small batches, and people died from infection because penicillin was not widely available. Representing the federal government, Moyer outlined the results of his team’s research in the patent application. The process saved and continues to save millions of lives. Moyer received no money from the patent results. Children can view the patent at: Penicillin.
Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch was dedicated in 1968. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the arch is also called the Gateway to the West or the Saint Louis Arch. It honors our country’s westward expansion and the courage of American settlers. One of the reasons Saint Louis was chosen was because the Corps of Discovery began and ended its journey here. At 630 feet tall, the monument is the world’s tallest arch. The idea of the arch began around 1933. Building the steel-clad arch started on February 12, 1963 and was finished on October 28, 1965. It opened to the public on June 10, 1967. The area became the Gateway Arch National Park on February 22, 2018. Children can learn more at: Gateway Arch.
Skylab 2
Skylab 2 was launched in 1973. This first manned mission to Skylab circled the earth for 28 days while astronauts Pete Conrad, Joseph Kerwin, and Paul Weitz made repairs to Skylab and conducted 392 hours of experiments. At that time, the crew held the record for longest time in space. They successfully returned to earth on July 22, 1973. Children could learn more at: Skylab 2.
Artist’s Conception of Phoenix on Surface of Mars
Phoenix landed on Mars in 2008. It was launched August 4, 2007. The spacecraft landed on a polar region of Mars and conducted tests on water and surface chemistry until November 2, 2008. Then the Martian winter set in, and the fragile equipment could no longer send data. Children could learn more at: Phoenix.