Tiger
International Tiger Day is today! Also called Global Tiger Day, the day reminds people of the tiger’s endangered status. Experts believe less than 10,000 tigers exist in the wild today. An apex predator, today’s tiger stays within its home range. Children can learn more at: Tiger.
Flag of Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands celebrate Olaifest, a national holiday. The islands, located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Home to 49,000 people, the islands are about eight times the size of Washington, DC. Torshavn is the capital, and fishing is a major industry. Children can learn more at: Faroe Islands.
Hurricane sank ten Spanish treasure galleons off the coast of Florida in 1715. The ships, laden with silver, were returning to Spain. About 700 sailors died, but a few survived by finding lifeboats. Experts state that every once in a while silver coins from the fleet still find their way to shore.
Hawaii’s first sugar plantation was started in 1835. Kamehameha III helped Ladd & Company buy land and start the sugar cane plantation. Sugar production in Hawaii peaked around 1970. Then sugar production in Hawaii decreased as other countries increased their production. The last sugar production facility in Hawaii closed in 2016. Older children can read about the history of sugar production in Hawaii at: Hawaii Sugar.
Mercury Seven Astronauts
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in 1958 when President Eisenhower signed the act. The Mercury Seven were the first group of astronauts. The number of astronauts peaked at 149 in the year 2000. Currently 41 active astronauts serve our country. Children can learn more at: NASA.
Charles William Beebe (born Brooklyn, New York, 1877; died Trinidad, June 4, 1962) was a naturalist and an adventurer. He headed expeditions to the Galapagos Islands, Borneo, and other places. He wrote approximately 300 articles and books. One of the books was Jungle Days, published in 1925. Young adults could read some of his early writings at: Project Gutenberg.
Sharon Creech (born South Euclid, Ohio, 1945) has written at least 21 books for children. Her book Walk Two Moons received the 1995 Newbery Medal. Children can visit her website at: Sharon Creech.
Adele Griffin (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1970) has written at least 30 books for children and young adults. Her books include Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be. Young adults could visit her website at: Adele Griffin.
Kathleen Krull (born Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 1952; died San Diego, California, January 15, 2021) wrote at least 60 books, including many biographies, for children. Wilma Unlimited earned a 1997 Jane Addams Picture Book Award. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez received both a 2004 Pura Belpré Honor Award and a 2004 Jane Addams Picture Book Award.
Connie Porter (born Buffalo, New York, 1959) has written at least thirteen books for children and young adults. Her books include the Addy series, part of the American Girl collection. Children can visit a website at: Connie Porter.
Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt (born Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1861; died New York, New York, February 14, 1884) was the first wife of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States. However, he was not president at that time. They were married for only about three years when she died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Alice.
Renée Watson (born Paterson, New Jersey, 1978) has written at least nine books for children. She received both a 2018 Newbery Honor Award and a 2018 Coretta Scott King Author Award for Piecing Me Together. Other works include What Momma Left Me and Ways to Make Sunshine. Children can learn more at: Renée Watson.
Flag of Vanuatu
Vanuatu celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from France and Great Britain in 1980. This group of twelve larger islands and sixty smaller islands changed its name from the New Hebrides to Vanuatu on this day as well. The country is located in the Pacific Ocean, and Port Vila is the capital. The area of Vanuatu is about the same as the area of Connecticut. Approximately two thirds of the 260,000 people living on the islands are farmers. Other industries include tourism and off-shore fishing. Children could learn more at: Vanuatu.
Flag of Morocco
Morocco celebrates Throne Day. King Mohammed VI became the country’s ruler in 1999. This north African country borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco’s area compares to the area of California. Almost 33 million people live in Morocco, and many of the people depend on tourism for jobs. Rabat is the capital. Children could learn more at: Morocco.
Paperback books were sold for the first time in 1935. Penguin Books sold three million paperbacks in Great Britain alone that year.
WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was created in 1942 in response to World War II. This organization was 
part of the navy. Within a year 27,000 women had volunteered for jobs ranging from clerical work to medical support to intelligence. By 1945, over 86,000 women had enlisted, and over 8,000 women had become officers. In 1948, women were incorporated into the navy, and the term WAVES was retired. Older children can read an interesting article at: WAVES.