Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began pumping oil in 1977. Construction began in 1974 in response to the 1973 oil crisis and rising costs of petroleum. Children can learn more at: TAPS.
Jul 282026
Jul 282026
New Dr. Seuss Book was published in 2015. Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated the book probably between the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Seuss died in 1991, but he never published it. His widow found the manuscript after his death. What Pet Should I Get? is about two children who go to the pet store but can buy only one pet. They contemplate traditional pets such as dogs or rabbits. Then unusual, Seuss-invented pets become possibilities. Children could explore: Seussville.
Jul 282026
Natalie Babbitt (born Dayton, Ohio, 1932; died Hamden, Connecticut, October 31, 2016) was a children’s author and illustrator. She wrote at least twenty books and illustrated at least four books by other authors. She won a 1971 Newbery Honor Award for Kneeknock Rise. Tuck Everlasting, published in 1975, is a novel for the ages.
Thomas Heyward (born near Beaufort, South Carolina, 1746; died Old House, South Carolina, March 6, 1809) signed the Declaration of Independence. Representing South Carolina, he was at first reluctant to break away from Great Britain. However, in the end he voted for independence. He was captured by the British, and he was imprisoned in Saint Augustine, Florida, until 1781. His plantation was plundered, and the British captured his slaves and sold them to sugar plantations in Jamaica. Children could learn more at: Thomas Heyward.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (born Southampton, New York, 1929; died New York, New York, May 19, 1994) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1961 to November 22, 1963. She was the wife of John Kennedy, thirty-fourth president of the United States. She brought back elegance to the White House, and she became very popular throughout the world. After Kennedy was assassinated, she and their two children moved to New York City. In 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping tycoon. He died in 1975. Children could visit a website at: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.
Helen Beatrix Potter (born London, England, 1866; died Sawrey, Lancashire, England, December 22, 1943) was a writer and illustrator. She is famous for her Peter Rabbit books. She wrote 25 books, featuring characters such as Squirrel, Nutkin and Tom Kitten. She wrote the stories originally to please the children of a dear friend. Children could read and enjoy some of her works at: Project Gutenberg. They can also learn more at: Helen Beatrix Potter.
Jul 292026
Tiger
International Tiger Day is today! Also called Global Tiger Day, the day reminds people of the tiger’s endangered status. Experts believe less than 10,000 tigers exist in the wild today. An apex predator, today’s tiger stays within its home range. Children can learn more at: Tiger.
Jul 292026
Flag of Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands celebrate Olaifest, a national holiday. The islands, located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Home to 49,000 people, the islands are about eight times the size of Washington, DC. Torshavn is the capital, and fishing is a major industry.
Jul 292026
Hurricane sank ten Spanish treasure galleons off the coast of Florida in 1715. The ships, laden with silver, were returning to Spain. About 700 sailors died, but a few survived by finding lifeboats. Experts state that every once in a while silver coins from the fleet still find their way to shore.
Jul 292026
Hawaii’s first sugar plantation was started in 1835. Kamehameha III helped Ladd & Company buy land and start the sugar cane plantation. Sugar production in Hawaii peaked around 1970. Then sugar production in Hawaii decreased as other countries increased their production. The last sugar production facility in Hawaii closed in 2016. Older children can read about the history of sugar production in Hawaii at: Hawaii Sugar.
Jul 292026
Mercury Seven Astronauts
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in 1958 when President Eisenhower signed the act. The Mercury Seven were the first group of astronauts. The number of astronauts peaked at 149 in the year 2000. Currently 41 active astronauts serve our country. Children can learn more at: NASA.
Jul 292026
Charles William Beebe (born Brooklyn, New York, 1877; died Trinidad, June 4, 1962) was a naturalist and an adventurer. He headed expeditions to the Galapagos Islands, Borneo, and other places. He wrote approximately 300 articles and books. One of the books was Jungle Days, published in 1925. Young adults could read some of his early writings at: Project Gutenberg.
Sharon Creech (born South Euclid, Ohio, 1945) has written at least 21 books for children. Her book Walk Two Moons received the 1995 Newbery Medal. Children can visit her website at: Sharon Creech.
Adele Griffin (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1970) has written at least 30 books for children and young adults. Her books include Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be. Young adults could visit her website at: Adele Griffin.
Kathleen Krull (born Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 1952; died San Diego, California, January 15, 2021) wrote at least 60 books, including many biographies, for children. Wilma Unlimited earned a 1997 Jane Addams Picture Book Award. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez received both a 2004 Pura Belpré Honor Award and a 2004 Jane Addams Picture Book Award.
Connie Porter (born Buffalo, New York, 1959) has written at least thirteen books for children and young adults. Her books include the Addy series, part of the American Girl collection. Children can visit a website at: Connie Porter.
Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt (born Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1861; died New York, New York, February 14, 1884) was the first wife of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States. However, he was not president at that time. They were married for only about three years when she died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Alice.
Renée Watson (born Paterson, New Jersey, 1978) has written at least nine books for children. She received both a 2018 Newbery Honor Award and a 2018 Coretta Scott King Author Award for Piecing Me Together. Other works include What Momma Left Me and Ways to Make Sunshine. Children can learn more at: Renée Watson.
Jul 302026
Flag of Vanuatu
Vanuatu celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from France and Great Britain in 1980. This group of twelve larger islands and sixty smaller islands changed its name from the New Hebrides to Vanuatu on this day as well. The country is located in the Pacific Ocean, and Port Vila is the capital. The area of Vanuatu is about the same as the area of Connecticut. Approximately two thirds of the 260,000 people living on the islands are farmers. Other industries include tourism and off-shore fishing.