Ben Franklin
International Lefthanders Day honors lefties. It was first observed in 1976. About ten percent of the population is lefthanded. Famous lefthanders include Ben Franklin, Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Children could learn more at: http://www.lefthandersday.com/.
Aztec Calendar Stone
Spanish conquered Aztecs in 1521. The city of Tenochtitlan fell to Hernan Cortez and his allies. Cortez had arrived on the shores several months before. Montezuma, leader of the Aztecs, felt Cortez might be one of their gods, Quetzalcoatl. Montezuma made the Spanish feel welcome, but ultimately the conquistadors turned on the Aztecs. Children can read some great background information at: Aztecs.
Recruiting Poster
Women joined the United States Marines for the first time in 1918. Opha Mae Johnson was the first of 305 women to enlist that day. They performed clerical duties in the United States so that males could fight in World War I. During World War II, female marines served overseas. Today women comprise about seven percent of the entire corps. Children can learn more at: Women Marines.
Building Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall was built in 1961. Before the wall was built, people from East Berlin were escaping to West Berlin. The wall was built to deter any more immigration. It was torn down starting November 9, 1989.
John Logie Baird (born Hellensburgh, Scotland, 1888; died Beyhill, England, June 14, 1946) was an early pioneer in television development.
William Caxton (born Kent, England, 1422; died London, England, 1491) was the first printer to publish a book in English. Older children could read some of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Ruth Stiles Gannett (born New York, New York, 1923; died Danvers, Massachusetts, June 11, 2024)) wrote books for children. Her book My Father’s Dragon received a 1949 Newbery Honor Award. Her other works include Katie and the Sad Noise. Children can read My Father’s Dragon at: Project Gutenberg.
Alfred Hitchcock (born London, England, 1899; died Beverly Hills, California, April 29, 1980) was a movie director. He specialized in movies providing high suspense. Two of his most famous movies were The Thirty-Nine Steps and The Birds.
Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Moses in Darke County, Ohio, 1860; died Greenville, Ohio, November 3, 1926) was a sharpshooter. She joined Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show in 1885. She amazed audiences for years with her skills, including shooting the cigarette out of her husband’s mouth. Idea: Children could find out how she got the last name Oakley. They might want to read Robert Quackenbush’s Who’s That Girl with the Gun?
Lucy Stone (born West Brookfield, Massachusetts, 1818; died Boston, Massachusetts, October 18, 1893) campaigned for women’s rights. Her father did not believe women should have college educations. She had to work for nine years to earn the money to go to Oberlin College. She was the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. Children could learn more at: Lucy Stone.
Cologne Cathedral, in Cologne, Germany, completed construction in 1880. Building had started in 1248. However, work was suspended in 1473. Centuries later, construction started again. A World Heritage Site, the cathedral hosts about 20,000 visitors per day. Children could learn more about the Cologne Cathedral at the World Heritage site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/292.
Social Security Act was approved by Congress in 1935. Idea: Children could learn more about Social Security and how it obtains its funds. Older children can learn more at: Social Security.
Wiffle ball was patented in 1953 by David N. Mullany. He invented the ball for his son so that it would curve when it was pitched. Today wiffle ball tournaments are popular around the world. Children can learn more at: Wiffle Ball.
Michael Phelps earned his 28th Olympic Medal in 2016. He did not medal during the 2000 Summer Olympics swimming events. At the 2004 Summer Olympics he earned six gold medals and two bronze medals. At the 2008 Summer Olympics he won eight gold medals. During the 2012 Summer Olympics he earned four gold medals and two silver medals. At the 2016 Summer Olympics he won five gold medals and one silver medal.
Julia Child (born Pasadena, California, 1912; died Santa Barbara, California, August 13, 2004)) was an author and a television chef. She always concluded her shows with “Bon Appétit!” Her kitchen was donated to the Smithsonian. Children could view a timeline of her life at: Julia Child. Idea: Children could demonstrate to the class how to make simple foods.
Gary Larson (born Tacoma, Washington, 1950) is a cartoonist. He created The Far Side.
Alice Provensen (born Chicago, Illinois, 1918; died San Clemente, California, April 23, 2018) and her husband, Martin Provensen, wrote and illustrated children’s books. They earned a 1982 Caldecott Honor Award for A Visit to William Blake’s Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers. They also received the 1984 Caldecott Medal for The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot, July 25, 1909.