Irwin with Lunar Rover I
Apollo 15 was launched in 1971. Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin landed safely on the moon on July 30 and used a four-wheeled vehicle, Rover 1, to travel across the surface. Astronaut Alfred Worden remained in the command module, Endeavor. The crew returned safely to earth on August 7, 1971. Apollo 15 was the fourth crewed mission to land on the moon. Children can learn more at: Apollo 15.
Jan Berenstain (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1923; died New Hope, Pennsylvania, February 24, 2012) was a children’s author and illustrator. She and her husband Stan created the Berenstain Bears series. Over 300 books were published in at least 23 languages. Children could visit a website at: Berenstain Bears.
George Catlin (born Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 1796; died Jersey City, New Jersey, December 23, 1872) was an artist. He is most known for his studies of Native Americans. Children can view some of his works at: George Catlin.
R. Gregory Christie (born Plainfield, New Jersey, 1971) illustrates children’s books. He received a 2017 Caldecott Honor Award for Freedom in Congo Square. Children can learn more at: R. Gregory Christie.
Stephen Cosgrove (born Metaline Falls, Washington, 1946) has written at least 300 books for children. He also designs toys. His books include Leo the Lop and Serendipity. Children can visit his website at: Stephen Cosgrove.
Margaret Hodges (born Indianapolis, Indiana, 1911; died Oakmont, Pennsylvania, December 13, 2005) wrote more than 40 books for children. Her Saint George and the Dragon was illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, who received the 1985 Caldecott Medal for her work.
Aldous Huxley (born Godalming, Surrey, England, 1894; died Los Angeles, California, November 22, 1963) was a writer and philosopher. One of his most well-known works is Brave New World.
George Bernard Shaw (born Dublin, Ireland, 1856; died Ayot St. Lawrence, England, November 2, 1950) was a playwright. He received the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature and a 1938 Oscar for his play Pygmalion. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Peale Portrait of Thomas Jefferson
Department of State, under the name Department of Foreign Affairs, was created by Congress in 1789. Thomas Jefferson served as the first Secretary of State from March 22, 1790, to December 31, 1793. Older children could visit the department’s website at: http://www.state.gov/.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Bugs Bunny appeared for the first time in a 1940 cartoon, “A Wild Hare.” Since then, he has appeared in over a hundred movies. He was the first cartoon character to be featured on a United States stamp, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Scott Corbett (born Kansas City, Missouri, 1913; died Providence, Rhode Island, March 6, 2006) wrote 89 books. Most of his books were written for children. His book Cutlass Island earned the 1962 Edgar Allan Poe Award for juvenile fiction. Other books include The Disappearing Dog Trick and The Lemonade Trick.
Flag of Peru
Peru celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from Spain in 1821. Lima is the capital of this South American country. Its area is a bit smaller than the area of Alaska, and natural resources include silver, gold, copper, and petroleum. Almost 30 million people live and work there. Idea: The Incas once controlled portions of what is now Peru. Children could find out more about the Incas and the Spanish conquistadors.
Amendment Fourteen to the Constitution was adopted in 1868. It outlined citizenship rights, civil rights, and equal protection under the law. Famous decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education, were based on this amendment. Children could learn more at: Amendment Fourteen.
Far Side of Moon Photograph Taken by Crew of Apollo 16
Ranger 7 was launched in 1964. Designed to send back images of the moon’s surface, it reached its destination on July 31, 1964. The first success after thirteen failed missions, it sent back over 4,000 images of the moon during its last fifteen minutes of travel. Then it crashed into the moon’s surface. Those photographs identified safe landing areas for future manned moon missions. Children could learn more at: Ranger 7.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began pumping oil in 1977. Construction began in 1974 in response to the 1973 oil crisis and rising costs of petroleum. Children can learn more at: TAPS.