Happy Birthday, Idaho!

 Events
Jul 032026
 

Idaho Flag

Idaho became the forty-third state of the United States in 1890. Its name translates as “gem of the mountain.” It is the fourteenth largest state, but it is the thirteenth least populated state. Boise is the state capital, and main sources of income are lumber, potatoes, and mining. Idaho was explored during the Louis and Clark expedition. It experienced a gold rush in 1860. Children could visit an Internet site at: Idaho. Idea: Idaho is known for its potatoes. Children could investigate why and how Idaho grows so many potatoes. They could also make potato pancakes.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jul 032026
 

Samuel de Champlain (born Brouage, France, 1567; died Quebec, Canada, 1635) has been called the “Father of New France.” He left France in 1603 to find the Northwest Passage. He did explore the St. Lawrence River and traveled as far as Niagara Falls. In 1608 he founded a fur trading post on the St. Lawrence River and named it Quebec. Over the years he explored more of the region and became good friends with the Algonquin and Huron Indians. He found Lake Champlain and named it after himself.

George M. Cohan (born Providence, Rhode Island, 1878; died New York, New York, November 5, 1942) was an important actor, writer, and producer of American theater. He wrote about forty plays and musicals. However, he is most famous for his songs, including “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Children can learn more at: George M. Cohan.

Samuel Huntington (born Windham, Connecticut, 1731; died Norwich, Connecticut, January 5, 1796) was president of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence, representing Connecticut. He was also the third governor of Connecticut. He stated in a letter to George Washington, “I will always love my Country.” Children could learn more at: Samuel Huntington.

United States Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Jul 042026
 

United States celebrates Independence Day. It declared itself free of English rule in 1776. Interestingly, only two people, John Hancock and Charles Thompson, signed the Declaration of Independence that day. Most of the representatives signed the document on August 2, 1776. Idea: Children could read Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags: The Story of the Fourth of July Symbols by James Cross GIblin and Ursula Arndt. Children could plan and carry out a Fourth of July parade.

Erie Canal Construction Began in 1817

 Events
Jul 042026
 

Construction of the Erie Canal began in 1817. The Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825. It joined the Atlantic Ocean (via the Hudson River) and Lake Erie. Approximately 363 miles long, it had 36 locks. Previously goods had to be shipped by wagon and pack animals. The canal cut transportation costs by 95 percent. Children can view an excellent video at: Erie Canal.

Statue of Liberty Was Given to the United States by France in 1884

 Events
Jul 042026
 
Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France in 1884. The statue was presented to Levi P. Morton, the US ambassador to France, in Paris. The statue was then taken apart and shipped to the United States. The statue reached our shores on June 17, 1885. However, the pedestal was not yet ready. The statue was formally revealed on October 28, 1886. Children can learn more at an excellent site: Statue of Liberty.

Monroe, Adams, and Jefferson All Died on the Fourth of July

 Events
Jul 042026
 

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

James Monroe, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all died on the Fourth of July. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died hundreds of miles apart but within hours of each other in 1826, and fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was made public. James Monroe died in 1831. Older children can read more at: Coincidence.

James Monroe

Pathfinder Landed on Mars in 1997

 Events
Jul 042026
 

Mars Surface

Pathfinder landed on the surface of Mars in 1997. The craft, launched on December 5, 1996, traveled for 211 days and 309 million miles to reach the surface of Mars. A small rover named Sojourner (named after Sojourner Truth) traveled about the surface and analyzed rocks and the surface of the planet. The two vehicles (both significantly outliving scientific estimates) sent back 2.3 billion bits of data before transmissions stopped on September 27, 1997. Children can view some of the images of Mars at: Pathfinder.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jul 042026
 

Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge (born Plymouth, Vermont, 1872; died Northampton, Massachusetts, January 15, 1933) was the thirtieth president (1923-1929) of the United States. He was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1918 and was vice president when Harding died. Nicknamed “Silent Cal,” he stressed respectability in government. The stock market went up, and he cut governmental costs. He was more concerned with matters within the country than with foreign affairs. He declined to run in 1928, even though he was a popular figure. Children could visit a website at: Calvin Coolidge.

Stephen Foster (born Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, 1826; died New York, New York, January 13, 1864) was a songwriter. He composed almost two hundred songs, including “Camptown Races” and “Swanee River.”

Jamie Gilson (born Beardstown, Illinois, 1933; died Wilmette, Illinois, February 11, 2020) wrote 21 books for children. Her books include Hello, My Name Is Scrambled Eggs and Do Bananas Chew Gum? Children can visit her website at: Jamie Gilson.

Rube Goldberg (born San Francisco, 1883; died New York, New York, December 7, 1970) was a cartoonist. He created on paper intricate machines that would activate each other to perform one simple task. Idea: Students could see some of his cartoons and then draw their own Rube Goldbergs. Children can visit a great website at: Rube Goldberg.

Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne in Salem, Massachusetts, 1804; died New Hampshire, May 18 or 19, 1864) was a writer. Two of his most famous works are The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. He wrote at least 100 stories for magazines. Children can read his works at: http://www.gutenberg.org/.

Henrietta Swan Leavitt (born Lancaster, Massachusetts, 1868; died Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 12, 1921) was an astronomer. Women at that time period did not hold prestigious jobs in astronomy, but she did “clerical work” with certain stars and their luminosity. Her work enabled Edwin Hubble to complete his work and to find that the universe is expanding. Children could read Miss Leavitt’s Stars: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe by George Johnson.

Jordan Sonnenblick (born Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 1969) writes books for young adults. His books include After Ever After and Dodger and Me. Children can visit his website at: Jordan Sonnenblick.

Venezuela Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Jul 052026
 

Flag of Venezuela

Venezuela celebrates Independence Day. Spain gave up control of the country in 1821. Located in northern South America, Venezuela is about twice the size of California. It has a tropical climate, and petroleum provides a major portion of its economy. About 28.5 million people live in the country, and most of the cities are located along the Caribbean coastline. Caracas is the capital. Over eight million people live in Venezuela.

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