Stock market crashed in 1929. Four days of panic sent stock prices plummeting. Billions of dollars were lost. This crash heralded the beginning of the Great Depression.

Great Books by Great Authors!
National Authors’ Day honors all authors. The custom dates back to 1929. Each child could pick out his/her favorite author and present a small biography about that person. Children could also read Eileen Christelou’s What Do Authors Do?
Museum of Modern Art in New York, New York, opened its doors in 1929. Children could view some of the artworks online at: MoMA.

Admiral Byrd
Admiral Richard E. Byrd and three colleagues made the first ever flight over the South Pole in 1929. They traveled 1560 miles in over 18 hours. They had to dump empty gas tanks and emergency supplies to achieve necessary altitude. They mapped new mountain ranges and collected meteorological and geologic information.

Albert Bierstadt’s Painting of Niagara Falls
Canada and the United States began a joint project in 1929 to protect Niagara Falls. Three waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and the American Falls, lie on the Niagara River. The river empties Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Hydroelectric power and tourism result from the Falls. Erosion has been slowed down by the efforts of Canada and the United States. Children can learn more about Niagara Falls at: Niagara Falls.
Seeing Eye Guide Dog Organization was founded in 1929 by Dorothy Harrison Eustis of Morristown, New Jersey. Idea: Children could interview one of the dog trainers. Children could also learn more at: http://www.seeingeye.org/about-us/history.html.

Flag of the Vatican
Vatican achieved its independence from Italy in 1929. While Vatican City had been separate from Rome for centuries, documents signed this day in 1929 made the Vatican a distinct government. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Vatican is about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC. The smallest country in the world, the Vatican is home to around 850 people. More than four million people visit the Vatican each year. Children could learn more at: Vatican.

Grand Tetons
Grand Teton National Park was created in 1929. Centered around the Teton Range, this 310,000-acre national park is located in Northwestern Wyoming. Paleo-Indians lived there 11,000 years ago. Children can see some great photos and participate in activities at: http://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

Herbert Hoover
White House had its first telephone installed in the Oval Office in 1929. Herbert Hoover was President. President Rutherford B. Hayes had the first White House telephone installed on May 10, 1877, but that telephone was located in the telegraph room.
Academy Awards, the Oscars, were awarded for the first time in 1929. The Academy Awards honor films and film-related topics and people, Idea: The children could decide some Academy Award categories and pick some nominees. The class could vote to decide the winners.