Jan 082024
 

Battle of New Orleans

Battle of New Orleans took place in 1815. Great Britain and the United States were still fighting in the War of 1812. The battle began around December 12, 1814. The British wanted to seize New Orleans and control the Mississippi River region. Of course, the Americans wanted to retain ownership of the city and the river. General Andrew Jackson’s American troops crushed the British. However, both sides later found out that a peace treaty had been signed two weeks prior to the battle. Andrew Jackson became a real hero! Older children can read copies of original documents at: Archives. Children can also view the America’s Library site and listen to a rendition of “Eighth of January” at: Battle of New Orleans. Here is an interesting note about history. This battle was so popular in the United States, and Andrew Jackson became so popular in the United States, that January 8th was actually a national holiday as important as July 4th until around 1845!

Apr 092024
 

Mississippi River Basin

Sieur de La Salle, a French explorer, found the Mississippi River in 1682 and claimed it and the waters draining into it for France. The Mississippi River, 2,348 miles long, is the longest river in the United States. It ranges in depth from nine feet to 100 feet, and its drainage basin includes over one million square miles. Idea: Trace a map of the United States. Color the states whose rivers empty into the Mississippi. Add tributaries, such as the Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers.

May 082024
 
Mississippi River Watershed

Mississippi River Watershed

Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi River in 1541. He called the river Rio de Espiritu Santo. The Mississippi River is about 2,350 miles long. It begins at Lake Itasca and ends at the Gulf of Mexico. Children can learn more about the Mississippi River at: http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm. Children can learn more about de Soto at: http://www.nps.gov/deso/index.htm

Jul 132024
 
Lake Itasca

Lake Itasca

Source of Mississippi River Was Found by Henry Schoolcraft in 1832. He named the Minnesota body of water Lake Itasca. The Mississippi River flows south 2,350 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the world’s fourth longest river system (after the Nile River, the Amazon River, and the Yangtze River). Children could find some VERY INTERESTING FACTS at: http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm.

Sep 242024
 

Amazon

World Rivers Day is today! Observed on the fourth Sunday in September, the day reminds us of the importance of rivers to humans, animals, plants, and the earth. Rivers provide hydroelectricity, water for humans, and water for crops and animals. The longest river is the Nile, but the Amazon  provides the most drainage. The longest river in the United States is the Mississippi and its tributaries. Idea: Children could research rivers, make a large paper river, and write the facts on the paper river.