World Kindness Day is today! The day was created in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. Idea: Children could thank someone who has shown them kindness. They could also show kindness by by making and giving a card to someone who would appreciate some kindness. They could also donate to a food bank or volunteer at a senior center.
Peanut Butter Sandwich
Peanut butter was invented, legend has it, on this day in 1890 by an unknown doctor. You can make your own peanut butter. Pour into a blender about three cups shelled and roasted peanuts. Add the cover and blend until smooth. Add a bit of vegetable oil if necessary to increase smoothness. Children could discover some great peanut butter facts and activities at: Peanut Butter.
Holland Tunnel began operating in 1927. Named after its designer, Clifford Milburn Holland, the tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan; it runs under the Hudson River. It was the first American underwater tunnel. The designers had to build gigantic fans that would remove carbon monoxide, generated by the cars, from the tunnel. Currently about 90,000 vehicles use the tunnel per day. The tunnel was designated a United States National Historic Landmark on November 4, 1993.
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC, in 1982. Designed by Maya Lin, the wall (listing 58,195 names) attracts about three million visitors a year. Children can learn more at: http://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm.
Robert Louis Stevenson (born Edinburgh, Scotland, 1850; died Samoa, December 3, 1894) wrote poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Treasure Island, first appearing in magazine installments, was published in 1883. He published The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1886. Kidnapped was written in the same year. Another of his famous works was A Child’s Garden of Verses. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg. They can learn more at: Robert Louis Stevenson.
Katy Kelly (born Washington, DC, 1955) writes for children. Two of her characters are Lucy Rose and Melonhead. Children can visit her website at: Katy Kelly.
Nathaniel Benchley (born Newton, Massachusetts, 1915; died Boston, Massachusetts, December 14, 1981) wrote at least 20 children’s books, but he also wrote for adults. One of his children’s books was Welcome to Xanadu, published in 1968.
Pickled Cucumbers and Pickled Onions
National Pickle Day is today! This day celebrates the preservation of cucumbers and other fruits and vegetables by fermenting them in a solution of water, vinegar, salt, and various spices. The history of pickling is long; cucumbers were preserved as far back as 2000 BC. Idea: children could list various types of pickles and determine their favorites.
World Diabetes Day is promoted by the International Diabetes Federation. The group’s purpose today is to educate people about diabetes. November 14th was chosen because today is Sir Frederick Grant Banting’s birthday. Born in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, in 1891, he discovered insulin. He died in an airplane crash near Newfoundland in 1941. Children could visit the International Diabetes Federation website to find out more about diabetes: https://worlddiabetesday.org/.
Nellie Bly and the only luggage she would carry for 72 days
Nellie Bly began her trip in 1889 to go around the world in eighty days. She was trying to copy the trip Jules Verne created for his character Phileas Fogg in the book Around the World in Eighty Days. She completed the 24,899 mile trip in slightly over 72 days, returning to New Jersey on January 25, 1890. During her trip she met Jules Verne in France. She sailed through the Suez Canal and traveled through Hong Kong and Japan. Her record lasted only a few months; in 1890 George Francis Train went around the world in 67 days. Children can visit a website devoted to her at: Nellie Bly.
Apollo 12
Apollo 12 was launched in 1969. The craft carried astronauts Richard F. Gordon, Alan L. Bean and Pete Conrad to the second landing on the moon’s surface, which occurred on November 19th. They returned to earth November 24th. Children could learn more at: Apollo 12.
Aaron Copland (born Brooklyn, New York, 1900; died North Tarrytown, New York, December 2, 1990) was a composer. Two of his most famous works are Fanfare for the Common Man, composed in 1942, and Appalachian Spring, composed in 1944. Older children could learn more at: Aaron Copland.
Robert Fulton (born in what is now Fulton Township, Pennsylvania, 1765; died New York, New York, February 24, 1815) did not invent the steamboat, but he did make it practical. Children could learn more at: Robert Fulton.
Leo Hendrik Baekeland (born Ghent, Belgium, 1863; died Beacon, New York, February 23, 1944) invented Bakelite, an early plastic. Today’s children find plastic all around them. They could list ten items made of plastic and then try to find out what those items were made of before plastic was around.
Mamie Eisenhower
Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower (born Boone, Iowa, 1896; died Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1979) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. She was the wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower, thirty-fourth president of the United States. Because he was a military officer for many years, they lived in a variety of places. She enjoyed her years as First Lady. Children could visit a website at: Mamie Eisenhower.
Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren (born Vimmerby, Sweden, 1907; died Stockholm, Sweden, January 28, 2002) was a children’s author. She is famous for her books about Pippi Longstocking. Children could visit a wonderful website with great photos and a wonderful timeline at: Astrid Lindgren. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was created by the Swedish government in 2002 to honor children’s writers and illustrators. The award is not given for a specific work but for a lifetime of achievement. A cash prize of five million Swedish crowns (about $665,000) accompanies the award. The Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs administers the award. The winners are announced in March in Vimmerby, Sweden, Astrid Lindgren’s hometown. The winners receive their awards in May in Stockholm, Sweden. Visit the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award website: ALMA. Children could learn more about Astrid Lindgren and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award by consulting the Children’s Book Award Handbook, by Diana F. Marks.
Patricia Miles Martin, aka Miska Miles (born Cherokee, Kansas, 1899; died San Mateo County, California, January 2, 1986) wrote over 100 books for children. She received a 1972 Newbery Honor Award for Annie and the Old One. Other works include Small Rabbit and Gertrude’s Pocket. Children could learn more at: Miska Miles.
Claude Monet Sculpture at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Claude Monet (born Paris, France, 1840; died Giverny, France, December 5, 1926) was a painter. One of his early paintings was entitled Impression: Sunrise. The painting conveyed his emotions regarding the scene. The title started the movement of impressionism. Children could visit a website at: Claude Monet. They could also read A Blue Butterfly: A Story about Claude Monet, by Bijou Le Tord. Idea: Students could listen to Aaron Copland’s music as they view prints of Monet’s paintings. They could find out how both creative geniuses used emotion and feelings.
Jawaharlah Nehru (born Allahabad, India, 1889; died New Delhi, India, May 27, 1964) was India’s first prime minister after it became an independent country.
William Steig (born New York, New York, 1907; died Boston, Massachusetts, October 3, 2003) was a children’s author and illustrator. He wrote, among other works, Abel’s Island which received a 1977 Newbery Honor Award, and Doctor De Soto, which received a 1983 Newbery Honor Award. His Sylvester and the Magic Pebble received the 1970 Caldecott Award, and The Amazing Bone was a 1977 Caldecott Honor Book. Notice he earned both Newbery and Caldecott Awards – quite an accomplishment! Children could learn more at: William Steig.