Holiday Events Continue!

 Events
Jan 062024
 

Christmas is celebrated by members of the Armenian Church.

Epiphany is celebrated by some Christians. Some people believe the magi visited Jesus on this day. In some cultures gifts are exchanged, and special dinners take place.

La Befana visits children in Italy. The “Befana,” or witch, enters homes the previous night through the chimney. She leaves good children nice toys in their stockings. Bad children find coal in their stockings. The day is celebrated with parades and feasts. Children could read a classic, The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola.

North American Treaty Was Signed in 1949

 Events
Apr 042024
 
Truman and Diplomats Signing NATO Treaty

Truman and Diplomats Signing NATO Treaty

North American Treaty was signed in 1949. Twelve nations formed the original North American Treaty Organization: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United States. Greece and Turkey became members in 1951, and West Germany joined in 1954. Spain joined in 1982. Czechia, Hungary, and Poland became members in 1999. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined in 2004. Albania and Croatia were admitted in 2009. Montenegro became a member in 2017, and North Macedonia joined in 2020. On this day in 2023 Finland became a member. Today NATO has 31 members. The main purpose of NATO is protection; an attack against one member is an attack against all members. Idea: Children could locate these countries on a world map and decide whether all countries benefit equally from this treaty. Children can learn more at: NATO.

Rome Was Born in 753 BC

 Events
Apr 212024
 
Coliseum

Coliseum

Rome was born in 753 BC. Over two million people live in Rome. It is the home of numerous famous sites, including the Coliseum, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Pantheon. Idea: Children could prepare a travel brochure about Rome. The website http://www.neok12.com/Ancient-Rome.htm has some great videos, but they must be previewed for content.

Italy Celebrates Republic Day

 Events
Jun 022024
 

Flag of Italy

Flag of Italy

Italy celebrates Republic Day. It became a republic in 1946. Slightly larger than the state of Arizona, the country supports a population of 61 million people. Rome is the capital, and its mountainous interior supports olive groves and vineyards. Children can learn more at: Italy.

Thank You, Mr. Smithson!

 Events
Jun 272024
 

James Smithson

James Smithson

James Smithson, a British subject, died in Genoa, Italy, in 1829. He bequeathed his fortune to the United States, a country he had never visited. Children can learn more about him at: James Smithson. The Smithsonian Institute, established in 1846, was created from his money and personal possessions. Today the Smithsonian has nineteen museums and nine research centers. The Smithsonian houses 137 million artifacts, and 30 million people visit it every year. Children can visit its website at: http://www.si.edu.

Vesuvius Erupted in AD 79

 Events
Aug 242024
 

Pompeii with Vesvius in background photo courtesy of Kim Traynor

Pompeii with Vesuvius in background
photo courtesy of Kim Traynor

Vesuvius in Italy erupted in AD 79. Clouds of sulfuric acid killed nearby inhabitants, and volcanic ash buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cities were buried and forgotten for centuries. Children could find out how and when Pompeii and Herculaneum were discovered. Older children could visit Vesuvius.

 Newer Entries