West Virginia Flag
West Virginia became the thirty-fifth state of the United States in 1863. It seceded from Virginia in 1861. Its nickname is the Mountain State, and the capital is Charleston. The state ranks forty-first in area and thirty-fifth in population. Today much of its income comes from farming and coal mining. Children can visit a website at: West Virginia. Idea: Since Charleston is the capital, children could learn to dance the Charleston.
Great Seal
Congress adopted the Great Seal in 1782. The seal, housed with the State Department, is used to authenticate federal documents. Three committees contributed their ideas until the final choice was made. The seal has at least five symbols that have thirteen of that object. For example, the eagle holds thirteen arrows. Children can learn more at: Great Seal.
Last Great Buffalo Hunt occurred in 1882. At one time 60 million buffalo roamed the plains, but buffalo hunts reduced the number to only 541 animals. Today about 31,000 bison can be found in preserves or on ranches. Bison can weigh up to a ton and stand six feet high at their shoulders. Children could learn more at: American Bison. Children could also find out why that bird perches on the buffalo’s back.
Ice cream soda was invented in Philadelphia in 1874 by Robert M. Greene. It was created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Franklin Institute. Idea: Children could make ice cream sodas.
Caroline Willard Baldwin became the first woman to obtain a doctor of science degree in 1895. She graduated from Cornell University. She wrote an article, A Photographic Study of Arc Spectra, for the Physical Review journal. She then taught physics at the California School of Mechanical Arts.
Annette Curtis Klause (born Bristol, England, 1953) writes books for young adults. Her works include The Silver Kiss and Blood and Chocolate.
First Day of Summer
Summer solstice is today. Today is the longest amount of light and the shortest amount of darkness in the northern hemisphere. Today is also the shortest amount of light and the longest amount of darkness (start of winter) in the southern hemisphere. Children can learn more at: Summer Solstice.
Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad
Today is Father’s Day! Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June. Mrs. John B. Dodd proposed the idea of Father’s Day in 1910. President Calvin Coolidge approved the holiday in 1924, but it did not become an official Presidential Proclamation until 1966. Public Law 92-278 made it an official holiday in 1972. Children can learn more at: Father’s Day.
Giraffe
World Giraffe Day is today! The Giraffe Conservation Foundation picked today to celebrate giraffes because the animals have the longest necks and today is the longest day in the northern hemisphere and the shortest day in the southern hemisphere. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that giraffes are now rated as vulnerable, meaning we all need to protect the animals.
Flag of Greenland
Greenland celebrates the longest day of the year, a national holiday. Greenland is a part of the Danish monarchy, but it is self-governing. According to the CIA World Factbook, Greenland is a little more than three times the size of Texas. Because it is located so far north, most of the country is permafrost. Greenland has the world’s second largest ice cap. About 57,000 people live in the country, mostly along the southern coast. The economy is based on fishing, mining, and tourism. Children can learn more at: Greenland.