Charles Blondin
Charles Blondin walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope in 1859. Approximately 25,000 people watched the five-minute walk. On other occasions he walked across the falls on a tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow or on stilts. Idea: Children could draw a line on the playground. They could pretend the line was a tightrope. They could see if they could walk the line on stilts. Older children could read more at: Blondin.
Black-footed Ferrets
Fish and Wildlife Service was established in 1940. Its purpose is “working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” Children can learn more at: http://www.fws.gov/.
Amendment Twenty-Six to the Constitution was adopted in 1971. It changed the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen years. Idea: Children could find out why the voting age was changed. They could debate whether age eighteen is the right age to vote.
Ketanji Brown Jackson
Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the first African-American female Supreme Court Justice in 2022. She was born September 14, 1970, in Washington, DC. She served in a wide number of capacities prior to being nominated to the Supreme Court. She is the first former federal public defender to serve on the Court. Children can learn more at: Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Bow of Titanic
Robert Ballard (born Wichita, Kansas, 1942) is an oceanographer and explorer. He found and investigated the remains of the Titanic. Children could read an interview of him at: Robert Ballard.
David McPhail (born Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1940) has written and/or illustrated close to 200 books for children. His works include Mole Music and The Family Tree. Children could visit his website at: David McPhail.
Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (born New York, New York, 1768; died Oak Hill, Virginia, September 23, 1830) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1817 to March 4, 1825. She was the wife of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. She was the daughter of a British soldier who decided to stay in America after the Revolutionary War. Since she and her husband had traveled so much during his career, she tried to model White House functions after those of Europe. Children can visit a website at: Elizabeth Monroe. Idea: Children might see if they can find out information on the fashions of her time. Did they dress fancily? Did they have extensive wardrobes?
Flag of Canada
Canada celebrates Canada Day. Formerly called Dominion Day, the national holiday marks the 1867 union of Upper and Lower Canada and some Maritime Provinces. Slightly larger than the United States, Canada borders three oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic. According to the CIA World Factbook, Canada is the largest country that borders only one country, in this case the United States. More than 34 million live in Canada, and most of those people live along its southern border. Ottawa is the capital. Children can learn more at: Canada.
Flag of Somalia
Somalia celebrates Foundation Day. In 1960 British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland united to form Somalia. The African country borders the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Slightly smaller than the area of Texas, Somalia is covered mostly by deserts. Over ten million people live in Somalia, and Mogadishu is the capital.
Burundi and the Republic of Rwanda both celebrate their Independence Days. Belgium gave up control of both countries in 1962.
Flag of Burundi
Burundi, according to the CIA World Factbook, is about the size of Maryland. This landlocked country in central Africa is covered by mountains with an eastern plateau. It borders Lake Tanganyika. The tropical climate means that coffee and tea can be exported. Almost eleven million people live in Burundi, and Bujumbura is the capital.
Republic of Rwanda is also about the size of Maryland and is also landlocked. The climate is temperate, and geography is mostly grassy uplands. Subsistence agriculture and mining are the major occupations for the twelve million inhabitants. Kigali is the capital.
Stone Wall on Cemetery Ridge
The Battle of Gettysburg began in 1863. Many experts call this battle the turning point of the Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his troops across the Mason-Dixon Line, heading for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. However, the northern troops, led by General George Mead, met the Confederate troops at Gettysburg. The battle lasted for three days. On the last day of the battle, the rebel troops commenced Picket’s Charge. Fifteen thousand troops tried to assail the Union’s position. The northern troops held, and Lee lost the battle. Idea: Children could make a timeline of the battle. Michael Shaara’s book, Killer Angels, offers in-depth looks at the people fighting on both sides. Children could visit a website at: http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm.
Philadelphia Zoological Society became the first United States zoo when it opened in 1874. Over 3,000 people came that first day. Admission was a quarter for adults and a dime for children. Children could visit a website at: Philadelphia Zoo. Idea: Children could list the animals found in zoos. They could also draw up plans for a new zoo.