Treaty of Paris Was Signed in 1783

 Events
Sep 032026
 
Treaty of Paris by Benjamin West

Treaty of Paris by Benjamin West

Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. Great Britain and the United States signed the treaty, formally ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing the United States as an independent country. The negotiators for the United States were John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple. Benjamin West’s painting Treaty of Paris (shown here) displays the five American negotiators. The painting was never completed because the British refused to be included. At least one copy of the treaty is housed in the National Archives. Children can read a transcript of the treaty at: Treaty of Paris.

Peggy Whitson Set New Record for Space Travel

 Events
Sep 032026
 

Peggy Whitson returned to earth on September 3, 2017. She set a new record of 665 days in space, including 288 days during her most recent stint on the International Space Station. She is now the American and any woman to spend the most time in space. She served on three missions on the space station. She set other space records as well. She is the oldest female astronaut at age 57, and she is the first woman to have commanded the International Space Station twice. The biochemist landed in a Soyuz capsule in Kazakhstan. Older children can learn more at: Peggy Whitson.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Sep 032026
 
Aliki

Books by Aliki

Aliki Brandenberg (born Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, 1929) has written and/or illustrated at least 80 books for children. She has written, among other works, How a Book Is Made and Milk: From Cow to Carton.

Prudence Crandall (born Hopkinton, Rhode Island, 1803; died Elk Falls, Kansas, January 28, 1890) was a teacher. Her school was boycotted when the families found out she had included an African-American girl. She then created a school for “young ladies and misses of colour.” The town of Canterbury eventually drove her out, and she moved west. Older children can read a brief biography at: Prudence Crandall.

Romulus Augustulus Was Deposed in AD 476

 Events
Sep 042026
 

Romulus Augustulus, leader of the Roman Empire, was deposed in AD 476. This is a very confusing story. Romulus was made the Roman emperor by his father Orestes on October 31, 475. Poor Romulus was only about ten years old. After Romulus had been emperor for about ten months, barbarian leader Odoacer defeated Orestes and took over the leadership on this day in AD 476.  However, he did not declare himself a Roman emperor. Many experts believe this event marks the fall of the Roman Empire. Idea: Children could find maps of the Roman Empire. How far did its power reach?

Mark Spitz in 1972 Became the First Person to Win Seven Gold Medals in One Olympic Competition

 Events
Sep 042026
 

Mark Spitz in 1972 became the first person to win seven gold medals in one Olympic competition. He received gold medals in: 100 meter freestyle, 200 meter freestyle, 4 X 100 meter freestyle relay, 4 X 200 meter freestyle relay, 100 meter butterfly, 200 meter butterfly, and 4 X 100 meter medley relay. His record lasted until Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Sep 042026
 

Syd Hoff (born New York, New York, 1912; died Miami Beach, Florida, May 12, 2004) was a children’s book author and illustrator. One of his books is Danny and the Dinosaur. Children could visit a website devoted to him at: Syd Hoff.

Sarah Childress Polk

Sarah Childress Polk (born Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1803; died Nashville, Tennessee, August 14, 1891) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. She was the wife of James Polk, eleventh president of the United States. She was a very active First Lady, serving as her husband’s secretary. Children could visit a website at: Sarah Childress Polk.

Amazon Rainforest Day

 Events
Sep 052026
 

Amazon Rainforest

Amazon Rainforest Day is today! The Amazon rainforest takes up 2.1 million square miles of land, occupying parts of Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Suriname, Peru, French Guiana, Guyana, Ecuador, and Colombia. About ten percent of all plant and animal species live in the Amazon rainforest. Twenty percent of all bird and fish species live there, and scientists are still identifying insect species native to the region. The Amazon rainforest has been experiencing deforestation as farmers slash and burn to create farmland. Children could learn more at: Amazon.

National Cheese Pizza Day

 Events
Sep 052026
 

National Cheese Pizza Day is today! Cheese pizza accounts for about 41 prcent of all pizzas consumed. Idea: Children could poll friends and family as to how they like their cheese pizza, New York thin crust of Chicago deep dish. They could munch on cheese pizza while they research Amazon Rainforest Day, also celebrated today.

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