Jul 252026
 

Thomas Eakins (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1844; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1916) was a painter and sculptor. His works were extremely realistic. Children could visit a website at: Thomas Eakins.

Rosalind Franklin (born United Kingdom, 1920; died United Kingdom, April 16, 1958) was a scientist who specialized in studying the molecular structure of RNA and DNA. Her work was used by Watson and Crick to figure out the helix structure of DNA. Children could learn more at: Rosalind Franklin.

Anna Harrison

Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison (born Morristown, New Jersey, 1775; died North Bend, Ohio, February 25, 1864) was the wife of William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States. She never lived in the White House. She was too ill to be at his inauguration, and he contracted pneumonia at his swearing in ceremony. He died within a month of his inauguration. She outlived her husband by 23 years. She was also the grandmother of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States. Children could visit a website at: Anna Harrison.

Henry Knox (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1750; died Thomaston, Maine, October 25, 1806) was a general during the Revolutionary War. Knox was responsible for Washington’s troops crossing the Delaware in 1776. Before the war he was a bookseller. After the war, Washington appointed Knox to be secretary of war. Fort Knox was named in honor of him. Children can experience a great timeline at: Henry Knox.

Ruth Krauss (born Baltimore, Maryland, 1901; died Westport, Connecticut, July 10, 1993) wrote at least 40 books for children. Her books include A Hole Is to Dig and A Very Special House. Illustrators of her books include Marc Simont, Remy Charlip, and Maurice Sendak.

Rachel Vail (born New York, New York, 1966) has written at least 43 books for children and young adults. Her works include The Friendship Ring series and the Mama Rex and T series. Children can visit her website at: Rachel Vail.

Clyde Watson (born New York, New York, 1947) has written at least twenty works for children. She often collaborates with her sister, Wendy Watson. Her books include Catch Me Kiss Me and Applebet: An ABC. Children can visit her website at: Clyde Watson.

Jul 262026
 

Liberia celebrates Independence Day. In 1816 freed slaves settled in a town in Africa later named Monrovia. The colony grew and became the first republic in Africa in 1847. The country is about the size of Tennessee, and it has a tropical climate. Agricultural products include coffee, cocoa, bananas, and rice. Almost four million people live there, and most of the major cities are along the Atlantic coast. Monrovia remains the capital.

Jul 262026
 

Flag of Maldives

Maldives celebrate Independence Day. Great Britain gave up control of the coral islands in 1965. About 1,200 islands make up this country located in the Indian Ocean. In total the area of the islands is about 1.7 times the area of the Washington, DC. Almost 400,000 people live there, and many derive their income from the tourist industry. Male is the capital.

Jul 262026
 

New York Flag

New York became the eleventh state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. Giovanni de Verrazano entered New York Bay in 1524. In 1609 Henry Hudson explored the area. Peter Minuit bought Manhattan Island from the Indians in 1625 and named the colony New Amsterdam. In 1664 the British attacked and won the territory. They renamed the land New York, after the Duke of York. The state’s nickname is the “Empire State,” and the capital is Albany. New York, New York continues to be a leading power in commerce and industry.

Jul 262026
 
Apollo 15

Irwin with Lunar Rover I

Apollo 15 was launched in 1971. Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin landed safely on the moon on July 30 and used a four-wheeled vehicle, Rover 1, to travel across the surface. Astronaut Alfred Worden remained in the command module, Endeavor. The crew returned safely to earth on August 7, 1971. Apollo 15 was the fourth crewed mission to land on the moon. Children can learn more at: Apollo 15.

Jul 262026
 

Jan Berenstain (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1923; died New Hope, Pennsylvania, February 24, 2012) was a children’s author and illustrator. She and her husband Stan created the Berenstain Bears series. Over 300 books were published in at least 23 languages. Children could visit a website at: Berenstain Bears.

George Catlin (born Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 1796; died Jersey City, New Jersey, December 23, 1872) was an artist. He is most known for his studies of Native Americans. Children can view some of his works at: George Catlin.

R. Gregory Christie (born Plainfield, New Jersey, 1971) illustrates children’s books. He received a 2017 Caldecott Honor Award for Freedom in Congo Square. Children can learn more at: R. Gregory Christie.

Stephen Cosgrove (born Metaline Falls, Washington, 1946) has written at least 300 books for children. He also designs toys. His books include Leo the Lop and Serendipity. Children can visit his website at: Stephen Cosgrove.

Margaret Hodges (born Indianapolis, Indiana, 1911; died Oakmont, Pennsylvania, December 13, 2005) wrote more than 40 books for children. Her Saint George and the Dragon was illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, who received the 1985 Caldecott Medal for her work.

Aldous Huxley (born Godalming, Surrey, England, 1894; died Los Angeles, California, November 22, 1963) was a writer and philosopher. One of his most well-known works is Brave New World.

George Bernard Shaw (born Dublin, Ireland, 1856; died Ayot St. Lawrence, England, November 2, 1950) was a playwright. He received the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature and a 1938 Oscar for his play Pygmalion. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Jul 272026
 
  • Korean War ended in 1953 when an armistice was signed in Panmunjon, Korea. Both sides claimed victory in a war that lasted for slightly over three years.

    Korea Memorial 1

    Korean War Veterans Memorial

  • Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1995. Located in Washington, DC, near the Lincoln Memorial, nineteen stainless steel sculptures of larger-than-life-size soldiers seem to be leaving a swamp. Children can learn more at: http://www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm