Lake Itasca
Source of Mississippi River Was Found by Henry Schoolcraft in 1832. He named the Minnesota body of water Lake Itasca. The Mississippi River flows south 2,350 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the world’s fourth longest river system (after the Nile River, the Amazon River, and the Yangtze River). Children could find some VERY INTERESTING FACTS at: http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm.
World Cup Soccer opened in 1930. The first such event, the championship concluded on July 30. Thirteen teams competed in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay won the final game. The World Cup has been held every four years since then, except during World War II. The next World Cup finals 2026 will be in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June and July.
Walter Poenisch completed his swim from Cuba to Florida, a distance of 128.8 miles, in 1978. He had started several days earlier. The first man to successfully swim that distance, Poenisch was observing his 65th birthday!
Marcia Brown (born Rochester, New York, 1918; died Laguna Hills, California, April 28, 2015) was an author and illustrator. She created more than 30 books. She received three Caldecott Medals: Cinderella in 1955; Once a Mouse in 1962; and Shadow in 1983. She also earned six Caldecott Honor Awards: Stone Soup, an Old Tale in 1948; Henry, Fisherman, a Tale of the Virgin Islands in 1950; Dick Whittington and His Cat in 1951; Skipper John’s Cook in 1952; Puss in Boots in 1953; and The Steadfast Tin Soldier in 1954. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award was presented to her in 1992 for her body of works. Children can learn more at: Marcia Brown.
Ashley Bryan (born New York, New York, 1923; died Sugar Land, Texas, February 4, 2022) was a picture book author and illustrator. He earned two Coretta Scott King Medals for illustration: in 1981 for Beat the Story Drum, Pum Pum and in 2008 for Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals. He also earned seven Coretta Scott King Honor Awards: in 1983 for I’m Going to Sing: Black American Spirituals; in 1988 for What a Morning! The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals; in 1992 for All Night, All Day: A Child’s First Book of African American Spirituals; in 1998 for Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry; in 2004 for Beautiful Blackbird; and in 1987 he received both the story award and the illustration award for Lion and the Ostrich Chicks and Other African Folk Tales. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award was presented to him in 2009 for his body of works. In 2017 he earned a Newbery Honor Award for Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan. Children can learn more at: Ashley Bryan.
Michael Dooling (born 1958) has written six books and has illustrated at least 65 books. His books include George Washington’s Army and Me and Young Thomas Edison. Children can visit his website at: Michael Dooling.
Anna Grossnickle Hines (born Cincinnati, Ohio, 1946) has written and/or illustrated at least 50 books for children. Her works include William’s Turn and My Pat-a-Cake Grandma. Children can visit her website at: http://www.aghines.com/.
Shark Awareness Day is today! The day reminds us of the types of sharks, the importance of sharks in ocean food webs, and the fact that some species of sharks are endangered or critically endangered. Over 500 types of sharks exist, and experts believe over a billion sharks live in our oceans and even in a few rivers. The smallest species of shark is the dwarf lanternshark at about seven inches, and the largest type is the whaleshark which can be up to 40 feet long. Children can learn more at: Sharks.
Mother and Child Chimpanzees
World Chimpanzee Day is today! This day marks the day Jane Goodall began her research in 1960 regarding chimpanzee behavior. Chimpanzees live in groups ranging in size from 12 to over 150 animals. While they eat mostly fruits, leaves, and shoots, they are classified as omnivores because they will eat insects, eggs, birds, and small mammals. Today the chimpanzee is classified as endangered. Children can learn more at: Chimpanzees.
Orca Breaching
World Orca Day is today! The day celebrates orcas and the oceans. Orcas, also called killer whales, can be found in all latitudes, including the tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Orcas live in complex groups based on matrilineage. They have excellent communication patterns, and they see and hear well underwater. They are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the ocean food pyramid. Children can learn more at: Orca.
Flag of France
France celebrates Fête de la Fédération, also known as Bastille Day. In 1789 the Bastille fell to the rioting people, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. France is a bit smaller than Texas, and the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay, and the English Channel all border the country. Almost 66 million people live in France. Paris is the capital. Idea: Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities gives great insight into the French Revolution. Children could learn more at: France.
Matterhorn was conquered for the first time by Edward Whymper and a group of climbers in 1865. Seven climbers reached the top, but four were killed on descent. The Matterhorn is one of the highest peaks located in the Pennine Alps between Switzerland and Italy. Currently around 3,000 people climb the Matterhorn per year.
Harry Atwood Taking Off from White House Lawn
Harry Atwood in 1911 landed his plane on the south lawn of the White House! President Taft presented him with a medal for his accomplishment. Later in the day Atwood turned his plane around and took off from the White House grounds.