Saturn and its Rings
Four new moons of Saturn were reported by astronomers in 2000. That made a total of 22 moons at the time. Since then the number has risen to 145. Children can participate in some great activities regarding Saturn and space in general at: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/kids/.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton (born Park Ridge, Illinois, 1947) is a lawyer, politician, and former First Lady. She was the Democratic nominee for the 2016 Presidency. She was Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. Before that she was a US senator from New York from 2001 to 2009. She is the wife of William Clinton, forty-second President of the United States; therefore, she was First Lady from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001. She graduated from Wellesley College and Yale Law School. Older children could visit a website at: Hillary Clinton.
Mahalia Jackson (born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1911; died Evergreen Park, Illinois, January 27, 1972) was a gospel singer. Eight of her records sold more than one million copies each. She never sang where liquor was served.
Steven Kellogg (born Norwalk, Connecticut, 1941) writes and illustrates books for children. He illustrated among other works The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, published in 1980. He has written and illustrated over 90 books, including the Pinkerton series. Children could visit his website at: Steven Kellogg.
Charles Pinckney (born Charleston, South Carolina, 1757; died Charleston, South Carolina, October 29, 1824) represented South Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. During the Revolutionary War, he was captured and detained on a British prison ship. He was South Carolina’s governor from 1789 to 1792 and from 1796 to 1798. He served in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Older children could learn more at: Charles Pinckney.
Eric Rohmann (born Riverside, Illinois, 1957) writes and illustrates books for children. He received a 1995 Caldecott Honor Award for Time Flies and the 2003 Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit. Children can visit his website at: Eric Rohmann.
Halloween is four days away! Are costumes ready? Is candy purchased? Children might want to read Room on the Broom, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. They could also visit the PBS website at: https://pbskids.org/games/halloween/.
Children could answer this Halloween riddle: What is a witch’s favorite subject in school? Check back tomorrow for the answer!
Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines celebrate Independence Day. Located in the Caribbean, the one large island of St. Vincent and the fifty smaller Grenadines islands gained their freedom from the United Kingdom in 1979. However, they are still part of the British Commonwealth. The total area of the country is about twice the size of Washington, DC. Banana production and tourism provide many of the local jobs. About 103,000 people live there, and Kingstown is the capital.
Flag of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan celebrates Independence Day. It separated from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991. Slightly larger than the state of California, Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea. Two important agricultural products are cotton and wheat. Over five million people live in Turkmenistan, and Ashgabat is the capital.
Liberty Bell
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1682 by William Penn. The City of Brotherly Love was originally laid out in a grid system with many parks. Today Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States. Children can learn some “Philadelphia Firsts” at: Philadelphia Firsts.
First essay of the Federalist Papers was published in 1787 in a New York City newspaper. John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton wrote the essays to persuade people to adopt the new Constitution. The last of the 85 essays was published April 4, 1788. Children can read or listen to someone else read the Federalist Papers at: Project Gutenberg.
New York City subway began operating in 1904. The mass transit system was the first in the world to be built underground. Today about 5.4 million rides occur on the subway every workday.
Franklin, Spectacle Owl Chick, at National Aviary
National Aviary was designated Honorary National Status in 1993. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the aviary was founded in 1952. It experienced difficult financial times, but now it seems to have a strong foundation. It is presently the custodian of around 500 birds, many of which are endangered or threatened. It is also home to the adorable Wookiee, a two-toed sloth. Features include the Wetlands, Condor Court, and Penguin Point. Children can learn more at: National Aviary.
Enid Bagnold (born Rochester, Kent, England, 1889; died London, England, March 31, 1981) was a novelist and playwright. One of her books is National Velvet. Children could learn more at: Enid Bagnold.
James Cook
James Cook (born Martin-in-Cleveland, near Whitby, Yorkshire, England, 1728; died Kealakekwa Bay, Hawaii, February 14, 1779) was an explorer. He made three trips though the Pacific area. He sailed around the world twice. His last voyage was to locate the Northwest Passage. He was killed by natives when he went to investigate a boat theft. Idea: Cartographers could mark his various voyages on a map. They could find out what foods he brought back to Europe.
Jared Ingersoll (born New Haven, Connecticut, October 27, 1749; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1822) represented Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention. A lawyer, he spoke little at the Convention, but he was well respected. Later he became a judge. Older children can learn more at: Jared Ingersoll.
Roy Lichtenstein (born New York, New York, 1923; died New York, New York, September 29, 1997) was an artist, known for his pop art movement. Some of his works resembled comic strips. Children can view some of his works at: Roy Lichtenstein.
Nicolo Paganini (born Genoa, Italy, 1782; died Nice, France, May 27, 1840) was a famed violin virtuoso. He also composed works for the violin.
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt (born New York, New York, 1858; died Oyster Bay, New York, January 6, 1919) was the twenty-sixth president (1901-1909) of the United States. He was a sickly child, often experiencing asthma attacks. He challenged himself as an adult. He even climbed the Matterhorn. He became a lawyer; but after the death of his first wife, he ran a cattle ranch in North Dakota. During the Spanish-American War, he led the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill. Later he became governor of New York and then vice-president to William McKinley. When McKinley died, Roosevelt became the youngest president at age 42. During his presidency he established 150 million acres of national parks and forests. He authorized the building of the Panama Canal. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to resolve the Russo-Japanese War. The teddy bear is named in honor of him. Children could visit a website at: Theodore Roosevelt. They could also read Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt by Jean Fritz, and then make a timeline of Roosevelt’s exciting life.
Dylan Thomas (born Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom, 1914; died New York, New York, November 9, 1953) was a poet and a playwright. His works include Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Twenty-Five Poems. Children could read some his poems at: Dylan Thomas.