Battle of Yorktown commenced in 1781. George Washington and 17,000 American and French troops laid siege against General Cornwallis and 9,000 British soldiers in Yorktown at the mouth of the Chesapeake. French ships cut off his retreat into the bay. Cornwallis surrendered three weeks later on October 17, 1781. Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Children could learn more at: Battle of Yorktown.
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, somewhat by accident, in 1928. He had been researching effective germ killers when he noticed that a discarded petri dish containing penicillin was killing staph bacteria. He conducted further research and discovered the amazing strength of penicillin. However, he could not figure out how to mass produce penicillin. Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, however, solved that problem. All three shared the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1945. They have saved millions of lives. Older children could learn more at: Alexander Fleming.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore was established in 1962. Located along the Gulf of Mexico, the national seashore is the longest unprotected barrier island in the world. Five species of sea turtles (Kemp’s ridleys, loggerheads, leatherbacks, hawksbills, and greens) nest on the island. More than 380 species of birds live on the island or migrate through the area. Children can learn more at: Padre Island.
Aaron Judge in 2022 Tied Roger Maris’s record of 61 homeruns in one season. The Yankees were playing the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto. Tim Mayza threw the pitch. Judge joined the Yankees in 2016. Roger Maris in 1961 broke Babe Ruth’s record of 60 homeruns in a single season.
Kate Douglas Wiggin (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1856; died Harrow, England, August 24, 1923) established kindergartens in California. However, she is most known for being a children’s author. She wrote at least 40 books, some co-authored with her sister Nora A. Smith, for children. One of her most famous works is Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Children can read many of her books at: Project Gutenberg. They can also learn more at: Kate Douglas Wiggin.
Carol Lynch Williams (born Orlando, Florida, 1959) writes books for young adults. Her books include The Haven and Pretty Like Us. Young adults can visit her website at: Carol Lynch Williams.
Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral cornerstone was laid in 1907. Construction was completed on this day in 1990. The building was damaged by the August 23, 2011, earthquake; repairs are still being made. The cathedral boasts 288 angels, 112 gargoyles, and 215 stained glass windows. At least 220 people are interred there, including Helen Keller, Ann Sullivan, and President Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith. Children can learn more at: National Cathedral.
Concept of Ulysses
Ulysses, a space probe sponsored by NASA and the European Space Agency, completed its second trip around the sun in 1995. Launched from Space Shuttle Discovery on October 6, 1990, Ulysses conducted three series of experiments regarding the sun. It also investigated three comets. Communications with Ulysses stopped on June 30, 2009. Children could learn more at: Ulysses.
Stan Berenstain (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1923; died Bucks County, Pennsylvania, November 26, 2005) was a children’s author. He and his wife created the Berenstain Bears series. Over 300 books were published in at least 23 languages. Children could learn more at: Stan Berenstain.
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (born Alcala de Henares, Spain, 1547; died Madrid, Spain, April 23, 1616) was a writer. One of his most famous works is Don Quixote. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Enrico Fermi (born Rome, Italy, 1901; died Chicago, Illinois, November 28, 1954) was a physicist. He immigrated to the United States in 1938. He developed the first nuclear chain reaction, and he was part of the team that developed the atomic bomb. He received the 1938 Nobel Prize in physics.
Matthew Gollub (born Culver City, California, 1960) has written at least 25 books for children. His works include The Moon Was at a Fiesta and Gobble, Quack, Moon. Children can learn more at: Matthew Gollub.
Pat the Bunny
Dorothy Kunhardt (born New York, New York, 1901; died Beverly, Massachusetts, December 23, 1979) was the author of Pat the Bunny and about 50 other books. Approximately seven million copies of Pat the Bunny, first published in 1940, have been purchased.
Marissa Moss (born Jeannette, Pennsylvania, 1959) writes and illustrates books for children. Her works include the Amelia series and Rachel’s Journal: The Story of a Pioneer Girl. Children can visit her website at: Marissa Moss.
Flag of Botswana
Botswana celebrates Botswana Day, the day in 1966 when the United Kingdom gave up control of the country. This landlocked country in southern Africa is fairly prosperous. It is a leading producer of diamonds. Gold has also been found in the country. Because large herds of game still roam the country, tourism also brings in a great deal of revenue. Botswana, home to two million people, is a bit smaller than Texas. Gaborone is the capital. Children can learn more at: Botswana.
Robert Gray
Robert Gray became the first United States citizen to circumnavigate the world. He sailed from Boston on September 30, 1787 and traded with the Northwest Coast Indians. He traveled to China before returning to Boston on August 9, 1790.