Orbiting Geophysical Observatory I
Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 1 was launched 1964. Five other Orbiting Geophysical Observatories were launched between 1965 and 1969. These satellites measured the earth’s magnetosphere and provided data about the earth and sun. The last of the six stopped operating in March 1972. Older children can learn more at: OGO.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park was created in 1964. Located in southeastern Utah, the Park encompasses over 300,000 acres. The Green River combines with the Colorado River in the park, creating large canyons. Petroglyphs can be found in several locations. Children can visit the park’s website at: Canyonlands.
Flag of Malta
Malta celebrates Independence Day. In 1964 it broke away from the United Kingdom. The area of the islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is a bit less than twice the size of Washington, DC. Much of its economy is based on tourism and shipping. Over 400,000 people consider Malta home, and Valletta is the capital. Children could learn more at: Malta.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The youngest person (at the time) to receive the award, he contributed the award money to the civil rights movement. Older children can read his acceptance speech at: King Nobel Speech.
Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Older children can read his well-written acceptance speech at: Wiesel Nobel Speech.
White Cane Safety Day is remembered by Presidential Proclamation. The day celebrates the independence of the blind and visually impaired. President Lyndon Johnson issued the first proclamation in 1964. In 2011 President Barack Obama declared the day to also be called Blind Americans Equality Day. Children can read a very good history of the white cane at: White Cane Safety Day.
Flag of Zambia
Zambia celebrates Independence Day. It was declared free of British control in 1964. The country, larger than Texas, is located in southern, central Africa. One of Zambia’s major industries is copper mining and processing. Over fourteen million people live in Zambia, and Lusaka is the capital.
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964. The 4,260-foot suspension bridge connects Brooklyn and Staten Island. The bridge was the longest in the world until the Humber Bridge was completed in the United Kingdom in 1981. The New York bridge was named in honor of Giovanni de Verrazzano, who was the first European to explore the Hudson River and the New York Harbor. Children could learn about the bridge at: Youtube.
Mars Surface
Red Planet Day is today! Mars, the red planet, is honored today because Mariner 4 was launched on November 28, 1964. It reached Mars on July 14, 1965, sending back to NASA 22 photos of the planet. Mars is a cold desert planet, the fourth from the sun. It is red because a great deal of iron is in the soil. It has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. Children can learn more at: Mars.
United States Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the first report, published in 1964, that cigarettes and smoking were health hazards. Idea: Children could make anti-smoking posters and display their works around school. They could visit the D.A.R.E. site at: DARE.
World’s biggest cheese was made in Wisconsin in 1964. Using 170,000 quarts of milk from 16,000 cows, the Wisconsin Cheese Foundation made a block of cheddar cheese 14 ½ feet by 6 ½ feet by 5 ½ feet. It weighed 34,591 pounds. The cheese was driven from Wisconsin to New York to be part of the World’s Fair. The cheese was later eaten. Children could sample some cheddar and other types of cheeses. Children can learn more and watch a great video at: Cheese Making.