Peregrine White Was Born in 1620

 Events
Nov 202025
 

Peregrine White, born 1620, was the first child of Pilgrims born in the New World. His parents, William and Susanna, chose the name peregrine because it means “traveler” or “pilgrim.” This meaning of peregrine is very different than the meaning most Americans would have today; a peregrine is a bird of prey. Born on the Mayflower anchored off Plymouth Colony, Peregrine had one sibling. His father died in 1621, and his mother married Edward Winslow a short time later. Both his father and stepfather were signers of the Mayflower Compact. Peregrine served in the military, and he was a well respected member of the community. He died on July 20, 1704.

Birthdays

 Events
Nov 202025
 

Marion Dane Bauer (born Oglesby, Illinois,1938) is a children’s writer and a writing teacher. She has written over 80 books. Her novel Rain of Fire was awarded the 1984 Jane Addams Peace Association Award, and On My Honor received the 1987 Newbery Honor Award. Her website showcases her books and presents great writing tips: Marion Dane Bauer.

Joseph Biden

Joseph Biden

Joseph Biden (born Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1942) was the 46th President of the United States, serving from 2021 to 2025. He was Vice President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was a US Senator representing Delaware from 1973 to 2009. Children can learn more at: Joe Biden.

Chester Gould (born Pawnee, Oklahoma, 1900; died Woodstock, Illinois, May 11, 1985) was a cartoonist. His Dick Tracy first appeared in 1931 and was eventually syndicated in one thousand newspapers. Children can become “crimestoppers” at: Dick Tracy.

Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope

Edwin Powell Hubble (born Marshfield, Missouri, 1889; died San Marino, California, September 28, 1953) was an astronomer. His theories on the expanding universe changed the course of astronomy. Children could read a brief biography at: Hubble. The Hubble Space Telescope is named after him. Children can learn about the Hubble Space Telescope at: Hubble Telescope.

Selma Lagerlof (born Varmland Province, Sweden, 1858; died Varmland Province, Sweden, March 16, 1940) was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature. She received the 1909 prize for her collection of poems. Older children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Oliver Wolcott (born Windsor, Connecticut, 1726; died East Windsor, Connecticut, December 1, 1797) signed the Declaration of Independence. He was a general during the Revolutionary War, and he was part of a strong team that defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga in New York in 1777. Following the Revolutionary War, he was Connecticut’s governor from 1796 until his death in December, 1797. Children can learn more about him at: Oliver Wolcott.

Happy Birthday, North Carolina!

 Events
Nov 212025
 
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North Carolina Flag

North Carolina became the twelfth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1789. Its founders named the state after Charles I. Carolus means Charles in Latin. The state’s nicknames are the Tar Heel State and Old North State. Raleigh is the state capital. The state ranks 28th in size and 9th in population. In colonial times the state raised rice and tobacco. Leading sources of income today are tobacco, textiles, and furniture. The Wright Brothers flew their first airplane in Kittyhawk, North Carolina. Children could learn more at: North Carolina. They could also find out what a tar heel is.

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Opened in 1964

 Events
Nov 212025
 

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964. The 4,260-foot suspension bridge connects Brooklyn and Staten Island. The bridge was the longest in the world until the Humber Bridge was completed in the United Kingdom in 1981. The New York bridge was named in honor of Giovanni de Verrazzano, who was the first European to explore the Hudson River and the New York Harbor. Children could learn about the bridge at: Youtube.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Nov 212025
 

Josiah Bartlett (born Amesbury, Massachusetts, 1729; died Kingston, May 19, New Hampshire, 1795) signed the Declaration of Independence. A physician, he represented New Hampshire. He was the first representative to vote for independence and the first representative to approve the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War he aided wounded soldiers. After the war, Bartlett was governor of New Hampshire from 1790 to 1794. Children could learn more at: Josiah Bartlett.

Stanley “Stan the Man” Musial (born Donora, Pennsylvania, 1920; died Ladue, Missouri, January 19, 2013) was a Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder and first baseman. He played for the Saint Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1944. After completing his military duty in 1945, he returned to the Cardinals and played for them from 1946 to 1963. Children could learn more about him at: Stan Musial.

Leo Politi (born Fresno, California, 1908; died Fresno, California, March 26, 1996) was a children’s author and illustrator. His Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street received the 1947 Caldecott Honor Award. Next, Juanita was chosen to be a 1949 Caldecott Honor Award book. Finally, Song of the Swallows won the 1950 Caldecott Medal. Children can learn more at: Leo Politi.

Elizabeth George Speare (born Melrose, Massachusetts, 1908; died Tucson, Arizona, November 15, 1994) was a children’s author. She is one of only six authors who have earned two Newbery Medals. She received the 1959 Newbery Medal for The Witch of Blackbird Pond. In 1962 she won another Newbery Medal for The Bronze Bow, She also wrote The Sign of the Beaver, which was a 1984 Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. In 1989 Speare received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award of her contributions to children’s literature. Children could learn more at: Elizabeth George Speare.

Margaret Whalen Turner (born 1965) writes fantasy for young adults. Her book The Thief earned a 1997 Newbery Honor Award. Other books include The Queen of Attolia and The King of  Attolia. Young adults can visit her website: Megan Whalen Turner.

Lebanon Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Nov 222025
 
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Flag of Lebanon

Lebanon celebrates Independence Day. The country was under French control from the end of World War I until 1943. Lebanon is about three-fourths the size of Connecticut. Over four million people live in the country, and about half of population live in the capital, Beirut. Its resources include limestone, salt, and iron ore. Lebanon is a “water-surplus state in a water-deficit region.”

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