Yellowstone National Park Was Established in 1872

 Events
Mar 012025
 

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. It was the country’s first national park and perhaps the world’s first national park. Comprising over 2,200,000 acres, it is mostly in Wyoming, but portions of the park extend into Idaho and Montana. It is known for beautiful vistas, plentiful wildlife, and interesting geothermal features. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Children could visit an Internet site, especially the portions for children and teachers, at: http://www.nps.gov/yell.

Susan B. Anthony Was Fined for Voting in 1872

 Events
Jun 062025
 

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony was fined for voting in an 1872 election in Rochester, New York. She and a group of women tried to vote. They were arrested and sentenced to pay a fine. She would not pay the fine, but the judge freed her. He was afraid she might appeal the verdict to a higher court and thus begin a series of court battles regarding women’s rights to vote and women’s suffrage. Children could learn more at: Susan B. Anthony.

Doughnut Cutter Was Patented by J. F. Blondel in 1872

 Events
Jul 092025
 

Doughnut cutter was patented by J. F. Blondel of Thomaston, Maine in 1872. Blondel did not invent doughnuts, but he patented a spring-loaded cutter that sped up the doughnut-making process. Now about ten billion doughnuts are consumed in the United States each year. Children could survey friends and family about favorite types of doughnuts (cake v glazed, sprinkles v no sprinkles, etc.). Older children could read a history of doughnuts at: Doughnuts.

Mary Celeste Was Found Abandoned in 1872

 Events
Dec 042025
 

Mary Celeste was found abandoned in 1872. The ship had left New York on November 5, 1872. The crew of another ship, the Dei Gratia, observed that she was floating aimlessly near the coast of Portugal. Members of the Dei Gratia crew boarded her on December 4 and found no people and no sign of violence. The captain and his family, the crew, and a lifeboat and navigation instruments were missing, but the ship and cargo were in excellent shape. The mystery of the Mary Celeste has yet to be solved. Children could read The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Older children could read more at: Mary Celeste.

Phileas Fogg Won His Wager in 1872

 Events
Dec 212025
 

Phileas Fogg won his wager in 1872. The main character of Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days returned to the Reform Club in London under the time limit of 80 days. He won the bet of 20,000 pounds. Could children find out how much 20,000 pounds was in dollars in 1872? Children can read Around the World in Eighty Days at: Project Gutenberg.