Birthdays

 Birthdays
Mar 032026
 

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell (born Edinburgh, Scotland, 1847; died Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Scotland, August 2, 1922) invented the telephone. Bell’s first call to Thomas Watson (who was in another room in the same building) was on March 10, 1876.  The famous duo of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson made history again when the first transcontinental telephone call occurred on January 25, 1915. Watson was in San Francisco, California, when Bell called him from New York, New York. President Woodrow Wilson and the mayors of both cities were also part of the call. Bell also investigated causes of deafness. Children can learn more at: Alexander Graham Bell.

Jacqueline Joyner-Kersee (born East St. Louis, 1962) is an Olympic gold medalist in the heptathlon. She received the gold medal in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Sports Illustrated named her female athlete of the century.

Suse MacDonald (born Evanston, Illinois, 1940) writes and illustrates books for children. Her wonderful book Alphabatics received a 1987 Caldecott Honor Award. Other books include Dino Shapes and Circus Opposites.

Patricia MacLachlan (born Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1938; died Williamsburg, Massachusetts, March 31, 2022) wrote at least 60 children’s books. She wrote among other works Sarah, Plain and Tall, which received the 1986 Newbery Medal, the 1986 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and the 1986 Golden Kite Award. Other works include Before You Came and All the Places to Love.

George Pullman (born Brocton, New York, 1831; died Chicago, Illinois, October 19, 1897) invented the Pullman sleeping car for the railroad. Children could learn more at: George Pullman.

Happy Birthday, Vermont!

 Events
Mar 042026
 
Vermont State Flag

Vermont State Flag

Vermont became the fourteenth state of the United States in 1791. A translation of the state’s name leads to its nickname, the Green Mountain State. The state is the sixth smallest in area, and only Wyoming has less population. Montpelier is the state capital. Two of its products are maple syrup and maple candy. Idea: Children could enjoy pancakes and real maple syrup.

Frances Perkins Became First Female Member of Presidential Cabinet in 1933

 Events
Mar 042026
 

Frances Perkins became the first female member of a Presidential cabinet in 1933. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her to be Secretary of Labor. She carried out many aspects of the New  Deal, including the Civilian Conservation Corps, major improvements to social security, and laws regarding child labor. She served until June 30, 1945. Children could learn more at: Frances Perkins.

Slinky Was Patented by Richard and Betty James in 1947

 Events
Mar 042026
 

Slinky

Slinky was patented by Richard and Betty James in 1947. Richard was trying to develop a spring that would suspend ship instruments even in turbulent waters. He accidentally dropped one of his springs, and the toy was born. Children can “walk” slinkies down an inclined plane by following the easy directions at: Slinky.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Mar 042026
 

Meindert DeJong (born Weirum, Netherlands, 1906; died Allegan, Michigan, July 16, 1991) wrote books for children. He received numerous awards for his books, including the 1955 Newbery Medal for The Wheel on the School. He also earned four Newbery Honor Awards: Shadrach in 1954, Hurry Home, Candy in 1954, The House of Sixty Fathers in 1957, and Along Came a Dog in 1959. In 1962 he was the first American to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Children can read more about him at: Meindert DeJong.

Prince Henry the Navigator (born Portugal, 1394; died Portugal, November 13, 1460) encouraged and expanded exploration of Africa and other lands. He planned more than fifty expeditions, but he never went on any of these trips himself. He brought in experts in cartography, astronomy and mathematics. Through his work, Portugal became a leading force in exploration. Children can learn more at: Prince Henry the Navigator.

Dav Pilkey (born Cleveland, Ohio, 1966) has written and illustrated at least 50 books for children. He has created the Captain Underpants series, the Dumb Bunny series, and the Dog Man series. Children could visit his site at: http://www.pilkey.com/.

Casimir Pulaski (born Winiary, Mazovia, Poland, 1747; died on the warship Wasp, October 11, 1779) was a military leader in his native Poland. He came to America after Poland was partitioned. He became a hero during the Revolutionary War. Pulaski was mortally wounded during the siege of Savannah.

Peggy Rathmann (born Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1953) is a children’s book author and illustrator. Her Officer Buckle and Gloria received the Caldecott Medal in 1996. Children can visit a website at: Peggy Rathmann. Idea: Students, like Officer Buckle, could make a list of safety tips.

Cheese Doodle Day

 Events
Mar 052026
 

Cheese Doodle Day is today! The puffed and baked cornmeal snacks come in a variety of shapes, textures, and spiciness. However, everyone likes the cheddar cheese dusting best of all.

Crispus Attucks Day

 Events
Mar 052026
 

Crispus Attucks Day harkens back to the Revolutionary War in 1770. The Boston Massacre occurred between colonists and British soldiers. Crispus Attucks, possibly a fugitive slave, was the first person killed in the fight. Several other men died, and others were wounded. Children can learn more about the Boston Massacre and Crispus Attucks at: America’s Library.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Mar 052026
 

Mem Fox (born Melbourne, Australia, 1946) has written at least 50 books for children. Her works include Yoo Hoo, Ladybug! and Goodnight, Sleep Tight. Children could visit a website at: Mem Fox.

James Merritt Ives (born New York, New York, 1824; died 1895) was part of the lithographic team of Currier and Ives. They published more than four thousand different scenes of events ranging from the commonplace to historic. At the time, the prints were used for decoration or book illustration. Now originals are rare and expensive. Children can view many of the works of Currier and Ives at: Currier and Ives.

Gerardus Mercator (born Rupelmonde, Flanders, 1512; died Duisburg, Germany, December 2, 1594) invented the Mercator projection for maps. He was able to portray more accurately the earth on a flat piece of paper. He also used the term atlas for the first time to refer to a compilation of maps. Because the Mercator Projection distorts the size of land masses at the poles, it is seldom used today. Children could learn more about Mercator and Mercator Projections at: Mercator. What kind of projection is most used today? Children could have fun at: Map Projections.

Howard Pyle (born Wilmington, Delaware, 1853; died Florence, Italy, November 9, 1911) was an illustrator. Children can read more about Pyle and then see many of his illustrations at: Illustrations. They can also learn more at: Howard Pyle.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries