Flag of Malta
Malta celebrates Independence Day. In 1964 it broke away from the United Kingdom. The area of the islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is a bit less than twice the size of Washington, DC. Much of its economy is based on tourism and shipping. Over 400,000 people consider Malta home, and Valletta is the capital. Children could learn more at: Malta.
Flag of Armenia
Armenia celebrates Independence Day. It broke away from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991. Located in the Middle East, Armenia dates its history back to the sixth century BC. This landlocked country is a bit smaller than the state of Maryland. Almost three million people live in Armenia, and Yerevan is the capital. Children could learn more at: Armenia.
National Museum of the American Indian opened on the National Mall, Washington, DC, in 2004. Children can visit its website at: http://www.nmai.si.edu/.
Francis Hopkinson (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1737; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1791) signed the Declaration of Independence. Representing New Jersey, he was also a writer, lawyer and judge. Legend indicates he was instrumental in designing the flag of the United States. Children can learn more at: Francis Hopkinson.
Louis Jolliet (born near Quebec City, New France, 1645; died May 1700) was an explorer. He and Jacques Marquette traveled extensively through the upper Mississippi River region. Idea: Children could trace some of the routes the two explorers traveled.
Stephen King (born Portland, Maine, 1947) is an author. Two of his most famous works are The Shining and The Stand.
Margaret MacKall Smith Taylor (born Calvert County, Maryland, 1788; died East Pascagoula, Mississippi, August 14, 1852) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1849 to July 8, 1850. She was the wife of Zachary Taylor, twelfth president of the United States. She lived in the White House for less than eighteen months because he died in office. Even while First Lady, however, she relegated social functions to her daughter. Children could visit a website at: Margaret Taylor.
Herbert George Wells (born Bromley, Kent, England, 1866; died London, England, August 13, 1946) was called the “father of science fiction.” He wrote at least 50 novels and at least twenty short stories. He wrote nonfiction, including commentaries on society, biographies, and an autobiography. Two of his most famous works are The War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Hans Wilhelm (born Bremen, Germany, 1945) has written and/or illustrated over 200 books for children. His books include The Big Boasting Battle and the Noodles series. Children can visit his website at: Hans Wilhelm.
Taro Yashima (born Japan, 1908; died Los Angeles, California, June 30, 1994) wrote and illustrated books for children. He received three Caldecott Honor Awards: one in 1956 for Crow Boy, one in 1959 for Umbrella, and one in 1968 for Seashore Story.
Rosh Hashanah, New Year in the Jewish calendar, begins today at sundown and concludes at sundown on September 24. The days are spent in worship and with family. Yom Kippur begins on October 1 at sundown and concludes on October 2 at sundown. Children could learn more by reading Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, by Howard Greenfield.
Autumnal equinox, the first day of fall, is today in the northern hemisphere. The first day of spring is celebrated in the southern hemisphere. Today the lengths of day and night are both twelve hours. Children can learn more at: September Equinox.
Flag of Mali
Mali celebrates Independence Day. It became free from France in 1960. Slightly less than twice the size of Texas, Mali is a landlocked country in western Africa. Gold mining is one source of income for the country. Almost sixteen million people live there, and Bamako is the capital.
Nathan Hale was hanged in 1776 by the British for being an American spy. Nathan and his five brothers had joined the American army in 1775. He quickly rose to the office of captain. George Washington asked for a volunteer to go behind the enemy lines to gather information about British General William Howe’s military plans. Nathan stepped forward. Disguised as a Dutch teacher, he gathered information. However, he was caught in New York City before he could return to the general’s headquarters. He is famous for saying, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Children could learn more at: Nathan Hale.
United States Post Office and the office of Postmaster General were created by Congress in 1789. Today the Post Office employs 700,000 people to deliver 213 billion items per year. It “delivers mail by planes, hovercraft, trains, trucks, cars, boats, ferries, helicopters, subways, bicycles, mules and feet.” It employs about 68,000 veterans, making it one of the largest employers of veterans. Children could find some interesting fun facts about the post office at Post Office.
1940 Rural Postman Delivering Mail along Creeks and Roads near Jackson, Kentucky
Operation Little Vittles began in 1948. To understand Operation Little Vittles, we must understand Operation Vittles. After World War II ended. Germany was divided into four sectors, with the United States, France, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union each in charge of one sector. The Soviet Union’s sector included Berlin. The Soviet Union on June 24, 1948, began blockading Berlin, allowing no food or fuel to enter the city. The other three nations responded by airlifting food and fuel, Operation Vittles, into the desperate city. Colonel Gail Halvorsen was one of the pilots bringing in supplies. He noticed that the children in Berlin got excited to even see a stick of gum. He decided to drop his rations of candy and gum attached to handkerchief parachutes to the children. Thus began Operation Little Vittles. Others heard of his kindness, and individuals and candy makers began donating goodies. Eventually over 23 tons of candy were dropped from about 250,000 small parachutes. On May 13, 1949, the Soviets lifted the blockade, and Operation Vittles and Operation Little Vittles were no longer needed.