Rubber Eraser Day is honored. Joseph Priestley accidentally invented the eraser in 1770 when he was experimenting with latex.
Apr 152024
Apr 152024
American School for the Deaf (originally called the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons) was founded in Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc started the school, still thriving, in 1817. Children can learn more about the history of education for the deaf at the school’s website at: https://www.asd-1817.org/. Children can learn more about American Sign Language at: http://www.handspeak.com/.
Apr 152024
Titanic
“Unsinkable” Titanic sank in 1912 with 1,500 people on board. The luxury liner was on its maiden voyage from England to New York City when it hit an iceberg and sank three hours later. The ship did not provide enough lifeboats for all the crew and passengers. Over 700 people were rescued by the Carpathia when it reached the site. In 1985 Dr. Robert Ballard and his crew located the remains of the Titanic and photographed it. Idea: Debate whether the Titanic should be raised or not. Students may want to read Robert Ballard’s Exploring the Titanic, published in 1988. Children could read The Titanic: An Interactive History Adventure, by Bob Temple.
Apr 152024
McDonald’s opened its first franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. A hamburger was fifteen cents, French fries cost ten cents, and a milkshake was twenty cents. Today more than 34,000 restaurants serve 68 million customers daily in 119 countries. Children can view an interesting timeline at: McDonald’s.