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.
Pedro Alvares Cabral discovered Brazil in 1500. Brazil was claimed by Portugal, and it is the only South American country where Portuguese is the principal language.
Portugal celebrates Portugal Day. The country’s national and beloved poet, Luis Vas de Camoes, died on this day in 1580. According to the CIA World Factbook, Portugal is about the size of Indiana. Surrounded by ocean on two sides and Spain on the other two sides, Portugal has a maritime climate. Almost eleven million citizens live there, and the majority live in cities. The country exports agricultural products, wine, and food products. Lisbon is the capital. Children could learn more at: Portugal.
Mozambique celebrates Independence Day. It became independent from Portugal in 1975. Located on the east coast of Africa, it is almost double the size of California. Natural resources include titanium, coal, and natural gas. About 25 million people live there. Maputo is the capital. Children could learn more at: Mozambique.
Sao Tome and Principe celebrate Independence Day. They gained their freedom from Portugal in 1975. The area of this cluster of islands is about five times area of Washington, DC. Located off the coast of western Africa, this country experiences a tropical climate. Natural resources include fish and hydropower. Almost 200,000 people live there. The capital is Sao Tome. Children could learn more at: Sao Tome and Principe.
Brazil celebrates Independence Day. It became free from Portuguese rule in 1822, but Portuguese is still the official language. This South American country is only slightly smaller than the United States. Over 200 million people live in Brazil, and Brasilia is the capital. It exports coffee and soybeans. Idea: Children could compare and contrast the Portuguese language and the Spanish language. Children could learn more at: Brazil.
Guinea-Bissau celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from Portugal in 1973. Guinea-Bissau, about three times the size of Connecticut, is located at the far western edge of Africa. About 1.6 million people live in the country, and Bissau is the capital. Children can learn more at: Guinea-Bissau.
Angola celebrates Independence Day. Portugal relinquished its claims to Angola in 1975. The country, located in southwestern Africa, supports an economy that is about 85 percent agricultural. The country’s area is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. About 18.6 million people live in Angola, and Luanda is the country’s capital. Older children can learn more at: Angola.