National Aviation Day is today. The day honors the birth of Orville Wright, the first of the brothers to fly a plane at Kitty Hawk. President Franklin Roosevelt first proposed the day in 1939. Children could celebrate the day by making and flying paper airplanes.
Afghanistan celebrates Independence Day. In 1919 Afghanistan gained its freedom from the United Kingdom. Slightly smaller than the state of Texas, land-locked Afghanistan has an arid to semi-arid climate. Its natural resources include metals and petroleum. Over 31 million people live there, and Kabul is the capital. Children could learn more at: Afghanistan.
Indianapolis 500 Race Track opened in 1909. It went through significant changes to be the race track it is today.
All-American Soap Box Derby was held for the first time in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron, Ohio, in 1935 because the city had more hills. Today the race is still held in Akron, and all cars must be unpowered. However, the science behind the scenes is amazing! Children can learn more at: Soap Box Derby
Korabl-Sputnik 2 was launched in 1960. The Soviet spacecraft carried two dogs (Strelka and Belka), forty mice, two rats, and some plants into orbit. The spacecraft was recovered, and all the animals survived the four-orbit mission.