Veterans Day Is Today!

 Events
Nov 112025
 

Veterans Day was celebrated for the first time in 1919. Originally known as Armistice Day, the end of World War I was observed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1919. In 1954, following the end of World War II and the Korean Conflict, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day.

Tomb of the Unknowns

Tomb of the Unknowns

Tomb of the Unknowns was created in 1921. The tomb originally housed the remains of a serviceman killed in World War I. Later the remains of soldiers from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were added. However, DNA results in 1994 identified the Vietnam veteran, and his remains were moved to another national cemetery.  Usually the President and other dignitaries hold ceremonies at the tomb.

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Vietnam Women’s Memorial

Vietnam Women’s Memorial opened in Washington, DC, in 1993. The bronze sculpture honors the 11,500 women who served in the Vietnam War. The three women in the sculpture are named Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Children can complete simple activities that would mean a great deal to veterans. One of the simplest activities is to make cards and send them to family or friends who are veterans.

World Origami Day

 Events
Nov 112025
 

Origami Cranes

World Origami Day is today! The practice of paper folding was originally called orikata. In 1880 the name was changed to origami. Oru means fold, and kami means paper. In 1980 Lillian Oppenheimer founded the Friends of Origami Center of America, today called OrigamiUSA. Today culminates World Origami Days. The paper crane is a symbol of peace, apropos to today, Veterans Day. Children can learn how to make a paper crane at: NPS Paper Crane.

Angola Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Nov 112025
 
Angola

Flag of Angola

Angola celebrates Independence Day. Portugal relinquished its claims to Angola in 1975. The country, located in southwestern Africa, supports an economy that is about 85 percent agricultural. The country’s area is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. About 18.6 million people live in Angola, and Luanda is the country’s capital.

Happy Birthday, Washington!

 Events
Nov 112025
 

Washington Apples?

Washington State Flag

Washington Flag

Washington became the forty-second state of the United States in 1889. Mountains split the state into two distinctive parts. The western portion receives abundant rainfall, while the eastern part is very dry. Its nickname is the Evergreen State, and Olympia is the capital. Washington is the eighteenth largest state, and it is 25th in population. Attractions include Mount St. Helens National Monument and Mount Rainier National Park. Children can learn more at: Washington. Washington is known for its apples. Consider finding various types of apples. Slice them and serve. Children can compare texture, sweetness, and taste.

Mayflower Compact Was Written in 1620

 Events
Nov 112025
 

Mayflower dropped anchor in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620. This brief but extremely important document, reproduced below, was one of the first steps toward democracy.

In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, 1620.

 

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Nov 112025
 

Abigail Adams painting by Gilbert Stuart

Abigail Adams painting by Gilbert Stuart

Abigail Smith Adams (born Weymouth, Massachusetts, 1744; died Quincy, Massachusetts, October 28, 1818) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1797 to March 4, 1801. She was the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States. They moved into the partially completed White House just before Adams’s term ended. Children could visit a website at: Abigail Adams. Abigail was the wife of one president (John Adams) and the mother of another president (John Quincy Adams). However, she could not even vote. Children could list possible frustrations Abigail Adams felt about the White House and the new country.

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky (born Moscow, Russia, 1821; died St. Petersburg, Russia, February 9, 1881) was a writer. Two of his most famous works were Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. Older children could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Detail of Cover

Peg Kehret (born La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1936) is a children’s author. Her book Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio describes her personal experiences as she battled polio. She has written at least 45 other books, including Saving Lilly and Runaway Twin. Children could visit her website at: Peg Kehret.

Anne Parrish (born Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1888; died Danbury, Connecticut, September 5, 1957) wrote at least 20 books for children. She earned three Newbery Honor Awards: in 1925 for The Dream Coach, in 1931 for Floating Island, and in 1951 for The Story of Appleby Capple. Children can learn more at: Anne Parrish.

Voyager I Began Taking Photos of Saturn’s Rings in 1980

 Events
Nov 122025
 

Saturn Voyager I

Image of Saturn and Rings from Voyager I

Voyager I made its closest contact with Saturn in 1980. The spacecraft then began taking photos, especially of the rings, and scientific measurements. Launched on September 5, 1977, Voyager I traveled past Saturn and the rest of our solar system. It continues to travel through space and send back data. Children can learn more at: Voyager I.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Nov 122025
 

Auguste Rodin (born Paris, France, 1840; died Meudon, France, November 17, 1917) was a very influential sculptor. He worked mostly with the human form, and one of his most famous pieces is The Thinker. Children could visit a website at: Rodin Museum. Children can become sculptures with a minimum amount of help from adults. Children could mix one part vermiculite and one part plaster of Paris with enough water to make a mixture the consistency of pudding. They can pour the mixture into empty and clean milk cartons or other disposable containers. The mixture will solidify. Students can remove the carton and carve the solid with spoons or other tools.

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (born Portland, Maine, 1928; died Munster, Indiana, March 12, 2019) wrote children’s books. She published at least 130 books! She, with her husband Mitchell Sharmat, wrote the Nate the Great series, which premiered in 1972. They also worked together on the Olivia Sharp series, which premiered in 1989.

Stanton - FritzElizabeth Cady Stanton (born Johnstown, New York, 1815; died New York, New York, October 26, 1902) worked for women’s rights. Children would enjoy reading Jean Fritz’s You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? In addition, they could learn more at: Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Letitia Tyler

Letitia Christian Tyler

Letitia Christian Tyler (born Cedar Grove, Virginia, 1790; died Washington, DC, September 10, 1842) was America’s First Lady from April 4, 1841 to September 10, 1842. She was the first wife of John Tyler, tenth president of the United States. While Tyler was pursuing a political career, she took charge of their plantation. However, bad health won over, and she became an invalid. She died in the White House. Children could visit a website at: Letitia Christian Tyler.

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