Flag of Afghanistan
Afghanistan celebrates Independence Day. In 1919 Afghanistan gained its freedom from the United Kingdom. Slightly smaller than the state of Texas, land-locked Afghanistan has an arid to semi-arid climate. Its natural resources include metals and petroleum. Over 31 million people live there, and Kabul is the capital.
Indianapolis 500 Early Days
Indianapolis 500 Race Track opened in 1909. It went through significant changes to be the race track it is today.
All-American Soap Box Derby was held for the first time in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron, Ohio, in 1935 because the city had more hills. Today the race is still held in Akron, and all cars must be unpowered. However, the science behind the scenes is amazing! Children can learn more at: Soap Box Derby
Strelka and Belka
Korabl-Sputnik 2 was launched in 1960. The Soviet spacecraft carried two dogs (Strelka and Belka), forty mice, two rats, and some plants into orbit. The spacecraft was recovered, and all the animals survived the four-orbit mission.
Vicki Cobb (born New, York, New York, 1938; died New York, New York, January 8, 2023) wrote more than 90 nonfiction books for children. Students might enjoy trying some of her projects from Science Experiments You Can Eat.
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton (born Hope, Arkansas, 1946) was the forty-second president of the United States. Before he was president, he served first as Arkansas’s state attorney general and then as its governor. He has concerned himself with issues such as health care, NAFTA, and the family leave bill. Children can visit a website at: Bill Clinton.
Ogden Nash (born Rye, New York, 1902; died Baltimore, Maryland, May 19, 1971) was a poet. He enjoyed writing humor. Children could read some of his poetry at: Ogden Nash Poems. Then they could write their own humorous verses.
Orville Wright
Orville Wright (born Dayton, Ohio, 1871; died Dayton, Ohio, January 30, 1948) flew the first airplane on December 17, 1903. His birthday has been proclaimed National Aviation Day since 1939. Children could view an excellent timeline of his life and his brother’s life at: Orville Wright.
Flag of Hungary
Hungary celebrates Saint Stephen’s Day, a national holiday that marks the day when his remains were taken to Buda, now called Budapest. A landlocked country in eastern Europe, Hungary is about the size of the state of Indiana. Its flat plains experience a temperate climate. Almost ten million people live in Hungary, and Budapest is the capital. Children can learn more at: Hungary.
Viking I
Viking I was launched in 1975. It landed on the surface of Mars on July 20, 1976. It transmitted photographs and data regarding weather and atmosphere until November 11, 1982. Children can learn more at: Viking I.
Voyager 2
Voyager 2 was launched in 1977. It traveled near Jupiter in 1979, Saturn in 1981, Uranus in 1986, and Neptune in 1989. It transmitted photographs and data back to earth. It continues in its space travels, sending back weak radio signals. Children can visit an INTERESTING website, including data on the spacecraft’s distance from earth, at: Voyager 2.
Vitus Bering (born Horsens, Jutland, Denmark, 1680; died Bering Island, December 19, 1741) was an explorer. He confirmed that water separated Asia and North America. He also claimed land now known as Alaska for Russia. Heavy fogs forced him to land on Bering Island as he was trying to return to Russia. He died of scurvy on the island. Idea: Children know that Bering Island is named after him; they could find out what two other geographic features bear his name. They could also learn more at: Vitus Bering.
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison (born North Bend, Ohio, 1833; died Indianapolis, Indiana, March 13, 1901) was the twenty-third president (1889-1893) of the United States. He was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States. During the Civil War he was a brigadier general. He served in the United States Senate, representing Indiana. Although he lost the popular vote, he won the Electoral College vote and became president. He compared the White House to a jail. During his presidency, six new states were admitted to the Union. Children could visit a website at: Benjamin Harrison. They could find out which six states were added to the Union during his presidency.
Judith Byron Schachner (born Waltham, Massachusetts, 1951) writes and illustrates books for children. Her books include the Skippyjon Jones series and Willy and May. She also illustrates books written by other authors. Children can visit her website at: Judith Byron Schachner.
Humuhumunukunukuapuaa
Photo courtesy of Dwijnker
Hawaii’s Flag
Hawaii became the fiftieth state of the United States in 1959. Evidence indicates people lived on the islands as early as AD 500. James Cook first visited Hawaii in 1778, and he died there in 1779. Honolulu is the state capital, and the state’s nickname is the Aloha State. Hawaii is the 8th smallest state in area and the 11th least populated state. Since the development of the jet airplane, the islands have become quite a tourist spot. Scientists are trying to channel the geothermal energy from the volcano Mauna Loa. The state fish is the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. Idea: Children could plan a simple luau.
Lincoln-Douglas debates began in 1858. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas provided the voters of Illinois a chance to evaluate the candidates for a senate seat. The last debate was held in Alton, Illinois, on October 15, 1858. Although Lincoln lost the election, he became more known nationally. Older children can read transcripts of the speeches at: Lincoln-Douglas Debates.