George Washington Gave the First State of the Union Message in 1790

 Events
Jan 082025
 

George Washington

George Washington gave the first State of the Union message in 1790. The Constitution requires that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Washington chose to deliver this message via a speech. So did John Adams. However, from Jefferson to Taft the messages were reports, often lengthy and detailed, delivered to Congress. Washington’s State of the Union message suggested that the military be strengthened and that a standard set of weights and measures be developed. Children can read his message, and find all the other State of the Union messages, at an amazing website: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29431

Happy Birthday, Rhode Island!

 Events
May 292025
 
Rhode Island State Flag

Rhode Island Flag

Rhode Island became the thirteenth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1790. Its name relates back to the island of Rhodes. It was the last of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union. The smallest of all the states, it manufactures jewelry, silver and textiles. Rhode Island ranks 45th in population. Providence is the state capital, and the state nicknames are the Ocean State and Little Rhody. The state bird is the Rhode Island Red, a hen that can lay up to 300 eggs per year. IDEA: Children might want to boil some eggs and make egg salad. They could also visit an Internet site at: Rhode Island.

District of Columbia Was Formed in 1790

 Events
Jul 162025
 

District of Columbia Flag

White House

District of Columbia was formed in 1790 when President Washington authorized the construction of a new capital. The United States government continued to work from Philadelphia until 1800. Today over 700,000 people live in the District of Columbia, while over six million people live in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. Certainly the District of Columbia can be proud of the many important and historical buildings and monuments within its boundaries. Idea: Children could find out how the land was acquired for the District of Columbia.

First US Patent Was Approved in 1790

 Events
Jul 312025
 
First US Patent

First US Patent

First United States patent was approved in 1790. Inventor Samuel Hopkins received patent X000001 for his potash process. The patent office had not even been created yet, so President George Washington, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph signed the document. Children can visit a GREAT website, filled with activities, about the patent process at: Patents.

Census Was Taken in the United States for the First Time in 1790

 Events
Aug 022025
 

Census was taken in the United States for the first time in 1790. The census is taken every ten years; a number of economic and government decisions are based on the census and changes in census data. Idea: Children could take a mock census in their classrooms. They could also learn more at an amazing website: https://www.census.gov/schools/.

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Died on November 16, 1790

 Events
Nov 162025
 

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer died on November 16, 1790. His exact date of birth is unknown. He represented Maryland at the Constitutional Convention. Before the Revolutionary War, he was active in settling border disputes between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Older children could learn more at: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer.

Aztec Stone Calendar Was Discovered in Mexico City in 1790

 Events
Dec 172025
 

Aztec Calendar Stone

Aztec stone calendar was discovered in Mexico City in 1790. The huge stone, weighing almost 25 tons and measuring over eleven feet in diameter, was probably carved around 1479. It was buried soon after the Spanish arrived. The stone demonstrated how the Aztec 52-year calendar cycle worked. Children could also see how to make a simple calendar stone at:
Aztec Calendar Stone.