Boston Molasses Disaster Occurred in 1919

 Events
Jan 152025
 

Boston Molasses Disaster

Boston Molasses Disaster occurred in 1919.  No, this is not a hoax; this was a terrible disaster. On this day in 1919 a huge tank holding about 2,300,000 gallons of molasses ruptured, sending a tsunami of molasses into the streets of the North End part of Boston. Moving at 35 miles per hour, the molasses wave leveled buildings, trapped people, and even hurled a truck into Boston Harbor. About 21 people died, and 150 more were injured. Children could read The Great Molasses Flood by Deborah Kops. They could also watch a very interesting video at: Boston Molasses Disaster.

Polar Bear Was Put on Display in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1733

 Events
Jan 182025
 

Polar bear was put on display in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1733. Idea: Children could discuss why this would be a very big event for that time period. Carnivores, polar bears are becoming rare. Today scientists estimate 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears exist. Experts believe that by 2050 that number will be cut in half. Children can learn more about polar bears and see some great photos at: Polar Bears. Interesting coincidence – Raymond Briggs, born on January 18th, wrote a book in 1994 about a polar bear called The Bear. It was made into a short animated video.

Happy Birthday, Massachusetts!

 Events
Feb 062025
 
Massachusetts State Flag

Massachusetts State Flag

Massachusetts became the sixth state in the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. The word Massachusetts means, “at or about the great hill.” The state ranks forty-fifth in size and thirteenth in population. Its state beverage is cranberry juice. They could toast Massachusetts’s birthday with cranberry juice.

Telephone Was Invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 in Cambridge, Massachusetts

 Events
Mar 102025
 

Telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bell’s first call was to Thomas Watson (who was in another room in the same building).His first telephone message was “Mr. Watson, come here. I want you.”   The famous duo of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson made history again when the first transcontinental telephone call occurred on January 25, 1915. Watson was in San Francisco, California, when Bell called him from New York, New York. President Woodrow Wilson and the mayors of both cities were also part of the call. Bell also investigated causes of deafness.

Happy Birthday, Maine!

 Events
Mar 152025
 
Maine State Flag

Maine State Flag

Maine became the twenty-third state of the United States in 1820. Vikings explored the area around AD 1000. Originally Maine was a part of the Massachusetts colony. Augusta is the state capital, and the state nickname is the Pine Tree State. People who live in Maine are called Down-Easters. Today fishing, lumbering, and growing potatoes are strong sources of income. It is home to Acadia National Park. The moose is the state mammal. Maine is the twelfth smallest state, and it ranks as the ninth least populous state. Idea: Children could find out why and when Maine separated from Massachusetts.

Robert Goddard Fired the First Liquid-fueled Rocket in 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts

 Events
Mar 162025
 

Robert Goddard fired the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Prior to this launch, only solid-fueled propellents had been constructed. His work regarding different fuels and rockets became the foundation of America’s space program. Older children can see how liquid-fueled rockets work at: http://science.howstuffworks.com/rocket5.htm.

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