Operation Little Vittles Began in 1948

 Events
Sep 222026
 

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.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Sep 222026
 

Michael Faraday (born near London, England, 1791; died Hampton Court, England, August 25, 1867) was an important and famous scientist. He discovered electromagnetism. He also conducted experiments regarding valence. Children could learn more about Faraday at: Michael Faraday. They could also learn how to make an electromagnet at: electromagnet.

Caps for Sale

Caps for Sale

Esphyr Slobodkina (born Chelyabinsk, Siberia, 1908; died Glen Head, New York, July 21, 2002) was an author and illustrator. One of her books is Caps for Sale, which has sold more than two million copies. She wrote twenty other books. Children can learn more at: Esphyr Slobodkina.

Junko Tabei (born Japan, 1939; died Japan, October 20, 2016) became on May 23, 1975, the first woman to climb Mount Everest. She was also the first woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent. She wrote seven books and created drives to remove the litter left behind by climbers as they scaled Mount Everest.

Saudi Arabia Celebrates the 1932 Unification of the Kingdom Day

 Events
Sep 232026
 
Saudi Arabia

Flag of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia celebrates the 1932 Unification of the Kingdom Day. The country is about one-fifth the size of the United States, and most of the country is covered by desert. Almost 27 million people live in Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh is the capital. Mecca and Medina, Islam’s holiest of shrines, are in Saudi Arabia.

Lewis and Clark Returned to St. Louis in 1806

 Events
Sep 232026
 
William Clark

William Clark

Lewis

Meriwether Lewis

Lewis and Clark concluded their exploration in 1806. They had left St. Louis, Missouri, on May 14, 1804. Their expedition lasted two years, four months, and ten days, ending in St. Louis, Missouri. Their journals described bison, grizzly bears, and many other animals. Older children could explore a very interesting website: Lewis and Clark.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Sep 232026
 

Augustus (born Rome, 63 BC; died Nola, Italy, August 19, 14 AD) was a ruler of ancient Rome.

Bruce Brooks (born Richmond, Virginia, 1950) has written at least twenty books for children and young adults. His book Moves Make the Man earned a 1985 Newbery Honor Award, and What Hearts received a 1993 Newbery Honor Award.

William McGuffey (born Washington County, Pennsylvania, 1800; died Charlottesville, Virginia, May 4, 1873) was an educator and author. He penned the McGuffey Readers, a series of books that taught reading to children. At least 122 million books were sold between 1838 and 1960. Children can view the text of some of these readers at: Project Gutenberg.

Victoria Woodhull (born Homer, Ohio, 1838; died Norton Park, Bremmons, Worcestershire, England, June 10, 1927) was an advocate of women’s rights. She was the first woman candidate for the presidency. She ran for president against Ulysses S. Grant, although women did not have the right to vote. Children could learn more at: Victoria Woodhull.

World Gorilla Day

 Events
Sep 242026
 

World Gorilla Day is today! The largest living primates, gorillas live along equatorial Africa. Two species of gorilla exist: eastern and western. Their lifespan in the wild is between 35 to 40 years. They live in troops, and their leader is called a silverback. They are herbivores. Both species are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

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