World Animal Day is today! First celebrated in 1925, the day aligns with the feast day of Saint Francis of Assissi, patron saint of animals. This year’s theme is Great or small, love them all. The day reminds us of the importance of animals and that we should care for them. The day also reminds us of the importance of saving endangered animal species. Idea: Children could list all the animals they can think of and then group them say into farm animals, forest animals, jungle animals. Then children could eat animal crackers.
World Space Week, sponsored by the United Nations, is from October 4 through October 10. Created in 1999, the week commemorates events in space. This year’s theme is “Space Entrepeneurship.” Two events sparked the choice of these days:
- Sputnik I, a Soviet spacecraft, was launched on October 4, 1957. It was the first successful man-made satellite, weighing 184 pounds and remaining in space for 21 days. Sputnik marked the beginning of the space race.
- Members of the United Nations signed on October 10, 1967, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
Other events related to space and air travel on this date are:
- Jet passenger service began in 1958. The British airliner Comet flew from London to New York.
- Luna 3 was launched in 1959 by the Soviets. It was the first spacecraft to photograph the moon’s far side.
- SpaceShipOne became in 2004 the first private, successful, manned venture into space. Its owners received the $10 million Ansari X Ten Prize for their efforts. SpaceShipOne is now in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Lesotho celebrates Independence Day. It became free from British rule in 1966. The country, about the size of Maryland, is entirely surrounded by South Africa. Almost two million people live in Lesotho, and Maseru is the capital. Tourism is a major industry. Older children can learn more at: Lesotho.
Gregorian calendar adjustment was made in 1582. Earlier that year Pope Gregory XIII had announced that the day following October 4 would be October 15. The adjustment took place in most Catholic countries. Great Britain and the colonies did not change until 1752.