Mother and Child Chimpanzees
World Chimpanzee Day is today! This day marks the day Jane Goodall began her research in 1960 regarding chimpanzee behavior. Chimpanzees live in groups ranging in size from 12 to over 150 animals. While they eat mostly fruits, leaves, and shoots, they are classified as omnivores because they will eat insects, eggs, birds, and small mammals. Today the chimpanzee is classified as endangered. Children can learn more at: Chimpanzees.
Orca Breaching
World Orca Day is today! The day celebrates orcas and the oceans. Orcas, also called killer whales, can be found in all latitudes, including the tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Orcas live in complex groups based on matrilineage. They have excellent communication patterns, and they see and hear well underwater. They are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the ocean food pyramid. Children can learn more at: Orca.
Flag of France
France celebrates Fête de la Fédération, also known as Bastille Day. In 1789 the Bastille fell to the rioting people, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. France is a bit smaller than Texas, and the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay, and the English Channel all border the country. Almost 66 million people live in France. Paris is the capital. Idea: Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities gives great insight into the French Revolution. Children could learn more at: France.
Matterhorn was conquered for the first time by Edward Whymper and a group of climbers in 1865. Seven climbers reached the top, but four were killed on descent. The Matterhorn is one of the highest peaks located in the Pennine Alps between Switzerland and Italy. Currently around 3,000 people climb the Matterhorn per year.
Harry Atwood Taking Off from White House Lawn
Harry Atwood in 1911 landed his plane on the south lawn of the White House! President Taft presented him with a medal for his accomplishment. Later in the day Atwood turned his plane around and took off from the White House grounds.
Bust of George Washington Carver at Monument
George Washington Carver Monument was dedicated in 1943. The first national monument for an African-American and the first monument for a non-president, the site is Washington’s childhood home in Diamond, Missouri. Children could visit: http://www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm.
New Horizons
New Horizons spacecraft was closest to Pluto in 2015. Launched on January 19, 2006, the spacecraft traveled three billion miles to achieve one of its goals, taking images of Pluto and Pluto’s five moons. When New Horizons was launched, George W. Bush was President, Pluto was still a planet, and Apple had not yet released its first iPhone. New Horizons, traveling at a rate of over 30,000 miles per hour, continues on its journey and will hopefully help us learn more about the Kuiper Belt. Children can learn more at: New Horizons.
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph Ford (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., in Omaha, Nebraska, 1913; died Rancho Mirage, California, December 26, 2006) was the 38th president (1974-1977) of the United States. Ford was in the navy during World War II and was awarded ten battle stars. He was a congressman for thirteen terms. He was the only president not elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency. He was Speaker of the House when Nixon resigned from office. Because the vice president had resigned earlier, Ford became president. Children could visit a website at: Gerald Ford. Idea: Children could research the presidential line of succession.
Woody Guthrie (born Woodrow Wilson Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma, 1912; died New York, New York, October 3, 1967) was a singer and a songwriter. One of his most famous works is “This Land Is Your Land.”
Laura Joffe Numeroff (born Brooklyn, New York, 1953) is an author and illustrator. She has written at least 50 books, including If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its many variations. Children can visit her website at: Laura Numeroff.
Peggy Parish (born Manning, South Carolina, 1927; died Manning, South Carolina, November 19, 1988) was an author. She is known for her Amelia Bedelia series. Her nephew Herman Parish continues to write Amelia Bedelia books. Children could learn more at: http://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/.
Brian Selznick (born East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, 1966) writes and illustrates books for children. He earned the 2008 Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Other books include Wonderstruck and The Houdini Box. Children can visit his website at: Brian Selznick.
Isaac Bashevis Singer (born Radymin, Poland, 1904; died Surfside, Florida, July 24, 1991) was a writer. He immigrated to the United States in 1935. He wrote in Yiddish, and he received the 1978 Nobel Prize for literature. Idea: Children could read some of the parts of Stories for Children, published in 1934.
National Gummi Worm Day is today! Also called Gummy Worms, the candy was first produced by the Trolli company around 1981 in Germany. The candy migrated across the Atlantic and is now a popular American treat. The candy is made from gelatin, syrup, corn syrup, colorings, and flavorings. Idea: Children could add Gummi Worms to a variety of foods, including dirt cake or chocolate pudding or fruit salad.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone was found in 1799. Great Britain and France were at war, and one of their battle locations was in Egypt. The French found the stone when they were trying to improve their fortifications. The French lost the battle, and the British confiscated the Rosetta Stone. A pharaoh’s proclamation is written in three different languages on the stone. Jean Francois Champollion deciphered the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic text by working back through the other two languages. The British Museum now houses the Rosetta Stone. Children can learn more at: Rosetta Stone.