Birthdays

 Events
Dec 262025
 

Charles Babbage (born London, England, 1791; died London, England, October 18, 1871) was a mathematician. He tried to develop two machines, the difference engine and the analytical engine. However, the time’s technology would not permit either machine to be built. Both these machines were precursors to early computers. Idea: Children could take apart an old calculator to see how small the parts are today. They could compare the parts to an illustration of Babbage’s work.

Cece Bell (born Richmond, Virginia, 1970) is an author and illustrator. Her books include El Deafo, which received a 2015 Newbery Honor Award. Other books include the Inspector Flytrap series and Crankee Doodle. Children can visit her website at: Cece Bell.

Thomas Nelson, Jr. (born Yorktown, Virginia, 1738; died Hanover County, Virginia, January 4, 1789) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Virginia. A wealthy plantation owner, Nelson organized his own tea party when he dumped two chests of tea into the York River. During the American Revolution, Nelson acted as both Governor of Virginia and a leader in the militia. Legend has it that when he found out the British were using his home as headquarters, he demanded the American troops fire on his home. Children can learn more at: Thomas Nelson, Jr..

Jean van Leeuwen (born Rutherford, New Jersey, 1937) has written over 40 books for children. Her characters include Oliver Pig and Amanda Pig. Children can read more at her website: Jean van Leeuwen.

World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Were Organized in 1945

 Events
Dec 272025
 

World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were organized in 1945. The groups include 188 nations, and the goals are to reduce poverty by providing money to groups. These groups will then create jobs and facilitate trade, improving the overall economy. Older children can learn more at: http://www.worldbank.org/.

Howdy Doody Appeared on Television for the First Time in 1947

 Events
Dec 272025
 
Howdy Doody Photograph by Volcan Yuksel

Howdy Doody
Photograph by Volcan Yuksel

Howdy Doody appeared on television for the first time in 1947. The extremely popular children’s show featured a combination of people and puppets. Cartoons were also shown. It last aired September 24, 1960. Idea: Children could create a puppet show relating to the upcoming New Year’s Eve.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Dec 272025
 

Ingri Parin d’Aulaire (born Kongsberg, Norway, 1904; died Wilton, Connecticut, October 24, 1980) wrote and illustrated about 27 books with her husband Edgar. They received the 1940 Caldecott Medal for Abraham Lincoln. They are most famous for their book d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. Children could learn more at: Ingri Parin d’Aulaire.

Johannes Kepler (born Wurttemburg, Germany, 1571; died Regensburg, Germany, November 15, 1630) was the “father of modern astronomy.” He developed three laws that explain the motion of planets around the sun. Isaac Newton based his theories regarding motion and gravity on Kepler’s work. Idea: Students could create models of Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion. They could learn more at: Johannes Kepler.

Louis Pasteur (born Dole, Jura, France, 1822; died Villeneuve l’Etang, France, September 28, 1895) was a bacteriologist. He discovered a cure for rabies. The pasteurization process was named in honor of him. Idea: Children could discover how and why milk is pasteurized. Then they could make chocolate milk. Older children could learn more at: Louis Pasteur.

Ted Rand (born Mercer Island, Washington, 1915; died Mercer island, Washington, March 17, 2005) illustrated approximately 78 books for children. He illustrated Knots on a Counting Rope (written by Bill Martin, Jr.), Salty Dog (written by his wife Gloria), and If Not for a Cat (written by Jack Prelutsky). Children can learn more at: Ted Rand.

Diane Stanley (born Abilene, Texas, 1943) writes and illustrates children’s books. A very versatile person, she writes novels, biographies, and picture books. She also wrote the Time Traveling Twin Series. I find her biographies, especially Cleopatra and Leonardo da Vinci, to be perfect for children. Children can learn more about her and examine her staggering list of awards at: Diane Stanley.

Erin E. Stead (Farmington Hills, Michigan, 1982) illustrates books for children. She received the 2011 Caldecott Medal and a 2011 Charlotte Zolotow Award/Honor Book for A Sick Day for Amos McGee, written by her husband Philip C. Stead. Children can visit her website at: Erin E. Stead.

Happy Birthday, Iowa!

 Events
Dec 282025
 

Iowa State Flag

Iowa became the twenty-ninth state of the United States in 1846. It was named after the Iowa Indian tribe. The area was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1838 it, along with parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, was part of the Iowa Territory. Des Moines is the state capital, and its nickname is the Hawkeye State. Iowa ranks 26th in area and 31st in population. It is still a leading producer of corn, cattle, and hogs. Idea: Iowa has only four letters in its name. It and two other states have the shortest names. Children could arrange the states’ names according to how many letters are in each name. Which state has the longest name?

Benjamin Franklin Published Poor Richard’s Almanack for the First Time in 1732

 Events
Dec 282025
 
Ben Franklin

Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanack for the first time in 1732. He wrote under the pseudonym Richard Saunders and published the almanac yearly through 1758. Here he penned some of his most famous lines, including, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” Children could read, write, and illustrate some of his sayings after they have visited: http://www.poorrichards.net/.

Dishwashing Machine Was Patented by Josephine Cochrane in 1886

 Events
Dec 282025
 

Dishwashing machine was patented by Josephine Cochrane in 1886. Cochrane (sometimes spelled Cochran) received Patent Number 355,139. Her invention was the first successful, hand-powered dishwasher of the time. Children can view the patent at: Dishwashing Machine. She founded the Garis-Cochrane Manufacturing Company shortly after the patent was issued. The company was renamed Cochran’s Crescent Washing Machine Company in 1897. She focused on on selling the dishwasher to hotels and commercial businesses. After her death in 1913, the business was acquired by KitchenAid, now part of Whirlpool Corporation. Children could read Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine: Josephine Cochran’s Bright Invention Makes a Big Splash, written Kate Hannigan and illustrated by Sarah Green.

Endangered Species Act Became Law in 1973

 Events
Dec 282025
 
Bald Eagle

Photo of Bald Eagle, courtesy of Saffron Blaze

Endangered Species Act became a law when it was signed by President Richard Nixon in 1973. The law tries to protect species that could become extinct. The law has helped the bald eagle, the whooping crane, and other species. Children can view a list of endangered species at: Endangered Species.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Dec 282025
 

Carol Ryrie Brink (born Moscow, Idaho, 1895; died La Jolla, California, August 15, 1981) was an author of more than 30 books. One of her books is Caddie Woodlawn. It received the 1936 Newbery Award. Children could visit a website at: Carol Ryrie Brink.

Cynthia DeFelice (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951) has written sixteen novels and twelve picture books for children. Her books include The Real, True Dulcie Campbell and When Grandpa Kissed His Elbow. Children can visit her website at: Cynthia DeFelice.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard (born Baltimore, Maryland, 1927) has written at least twelve books for children. One of her books, Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys, was illustrated by E. B. Lewis, who received a 2001 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for the book’s illustrations. Children could learn more at: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard.

Emily Cheney Neville (born Manchester, Connecticut, 1919; died Keene Valley, New York, December 14, 1997) wrote books for children. Her first book, It’s Like This, Cat, received the 1964 Newbery Medal. Other works include Traveler from a Small Kingdom and Fogarty.

Woodrow Wilson (born Staunton, Virginia, 1856; died Washington, DC, February 3, 1924) was the twenty-eighth president (1913-1921) of the United States. He was the first president from the South since the Civil War. Despite having learning disabilities, he earned a doctorate in political science. He became New Jersey’s governor in 1910. During World War I, he tried to keep the United States neutral. Eventually America joined the War. After the war, he was instrumental in creating the League of Nations. However, Congress voted against joining the League. He won the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize. In that same year Wilson suffered a stroke, and his wife, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, hid his condition from the country. Children can visit a website at: Woodrow Wilson.

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