Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jul 302026
 

Ann Brashares (born Alexandria, Virginia, 1967) writes books for young adults. Her books include The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Young adults can visit her website at: Ann Brashares.

Emily Bronte (born Thornton, Yorkshire, England, 1818; died Haworth, Yorkshire, England, December 19, 1848) was an author. She wrote only one novel, Wuthering Heights. She also wrote poetry. Children can read her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Henry Ford on His Quadricycle

Henry Ford on His Quadricycle

Henry Ford (born Dearborn Township, Michigan, 1863; died Dearborn Township, Michigan, April 7, 1947) created the assembly line for making cars. He became wealthy from selling so many cars. Children can learn more at: Henry Ford.

Henry Moore (born Castleford, Yorkshire, England, 1898; died Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, England, August 31, 1986) was an artist and sculptor. He is best known for his large, metal sculptures of human figures. Children can view some of his works at: Henry Moore.

Marcus Pfister (born Bern, Switzerland, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. He is well-known for his Rainbow Fish series, started in 1992. His works have been translated into 60 languages, and he has sold over 30 million copies. Children can visit his website at: Marcus Pfister.

Pat Schories (born Batavia, New York, 1952) writes and illustrates books for children. She illustrates the Biscuit series and the wordless book Jack series. Children can visit her website at:  Pat Schories.

Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (born Murom, Russia, 1889; died Princeton, New Jersey, July 29, 1982) came to the United States in 1919. In 1920 he headed a Westinghouse Electric Company team and developed the television camera and picture tube. He was also very important in research leading to the electron microscope. Idea: Children certainly enjoy television. They could record how much television they watch in a week.

First US Patent Was Approved in 1790

 Events
Jul 312026
 
First US Patent

First US Patent

First United States patent was approved in 1790. Inventor Samuel Hopkins received patent X000001 for his potash process. The patent office had not even been created yet, so President George Washington, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph signed the document. Children can visit a GREAT website, filled with activities, about the patent process at: Patents.

Ranger 7 Reached the Moon in 1964

 Events
Jul 312026
 

Far Side of Moon Photograph Taken by Crew of Apollo 16

Ranger 7 reached the moon in 1964. Ranger 7 was launched on July 28, 1964. It was designed to send back images of the moon’s surface. 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 manned moon missions. Children could learn more at: Ranger 7.

Driving on the Moon – 1971

 Events
Jul 312026
 

LRV in Final Resting Place

Astronauts David R. Scott and James B. Irwin drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) for six hours on the moon in 1971. The two men, plus Command Module Pilot Alfred M. Worden, lifted off aboard Apollo 15 on July 26, 1971. They spent close to three days on the moon and made two more trips aboard the LRV. The LRV could travel at rates between six and eight miles per hour. The crew successfully returned to earth on August 7, 1971. Children could learn more at: Apollo 15.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jul 312026
 

Lynne Reid Banks (born London, England, 1929; died Surrey, England, April 4, 2024) wrote close to 50 books for children, young adults, and adults. She wrote The Indian in the Cupboard series and Bad Cat Good Cat. Children can visit her website at: Lynne Reid Banks.

Muriel Feelings (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1938; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 30, 2011) wrote books for children. She and her former husband Tom produced two still-popular books.  Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book earned a 1972 Caldecott Honor Award. Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book received a 1975 Caldecott Honor Award as well.

Stephanie Kwolek (born New Kensington, Pennsylvania, 1923; died Wilmington, Delaware, June 18, 2014) was a chemist. She is best known for inventing Kevlar, an extremely strong material. One use for Kevlar is in bullet-proof vests. She received seventeen patents. Children could learn more at: Stephanie Kwolek.

Lynne Rae Perkins (born Cheswick, Pennsylvania, 1956) writes and illustrates books for children. Her book Criss Cross received the 2006 Newbery Medal. She also wrote All Alone in the Universe. Children could visit her website at: Lynn Rae Perkins.

J. K. Rowling (born Joanne Kathleen Rowling in Bristol, England, 1965) is the author of the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter was also born on this day. Children could visit her website at: J. K. Rowling.

Robert Kimmel Smith (born Brooklyn, New York, 1930; died Manhattan, New York, April 20, 2020) wrote books for children. His books include Chocolate Fever and The War with Grandpa.

Switzerland Celebrates Confederation Day of 1291

 Events
Aug 012026
 

Flag of Switzerland

Switzerland celebrates Confederation Day of 1291. Three cantons formed an alliance, and other cantons joined as years passed. The 1874 constitution changed the confederation into a country. The area of Switzerland is a bit less than twice the area of New Jersey, and the Alps dominate its geography. Almost eight million people live in Switzerland, and Bern is the capital. Parades, bonfires, and fireworks mark the day. Children could enjoy some Swiss cheese or some Swiss chocolate.

Benin Celebrates National Day

 Events
Aug 012026
 

Flag of Benin

Benin celebrates National Day. The country announced its independence from France in 1960. Located on the western coast of Africa, Benin is about the size of the state of Pennsylvania. The geography is mostly flat with few low mountains. Many people survive on subsistence farming, and cotton is one the the country’s major exports.  Almost ten million people live in Benin, and Porto-Novo is the capital.

Happy Birthday, Colorado!

 Events
Aug 012026
 
Colorado Flag

Colorado Flag

Colorado became the thirty-eighth state of the United States in 1876. Its nickname is the Centennial State, because it became a part of the country one hundred years after the revolution. Its name comes from a Spanish phrase meaning the color red. Early Spanish explorers in the area were impressed with the many red-colored canyons and thus called the area Colorado. People were living in the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, in the state’s southwestern corner, around 1200. When gold was discovered in 1858, the local phrase became “Pike’s Peak or Bust.” It is the eighth largest state and the 21st most populous state. Denver is the state capital, and tourism is one of the most important economic factors.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Was Established in 1916

 Events
Aug 012026
 
Holei Sea Arch Courtesy of NPS

Holei Sea Arch
Courtesy of NPS

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916. The area, encompassing 344,812 acres, includes the active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Areas of the park have had to close temporarily when the volcanoes are very active. The park, protecting unusual plants and animals, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Children can visit the park’s website at: http://www.nps.gov/havo.

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