Census was taken in the United States for the first time in 1790. The census is taken every ten years; a number of economic and government decisions are based on the census and changes in census data. Idea: Children could take a mock census in their classrooms. They could also learn more at an amazing website: https://www.census.gov/schools/.
United States levied the first income tax in 1862. Any income over $800 was taxed at 3 percent. Idea: Children could translate $800 back then into today’s dollars. They could learn more about the history of the United States income tax at: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005921.html.
Webster-Ashburton Treaty was finalized in 1842. United States Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British representative Lord Ashburton negotiated the eastern border between the United States and Canada. The treaty also allowed shared use of the Great Lakes. Older children can read a transcript of the document at: Treaty.
Treaty of Paris by Benjamin West
Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. Great Britain and the United States signed the treaty, formally ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing the United States as an independent country. The negotiators for the United States were John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple. Benjamin West’s painting Treaty of Paris (shown here) displays the five American negotiators. The painting was never completed because the British refused to be included. At least one copy of the treaty is housed in the National Archives. Children can read a transcript of the treaty at: Treaty of Paris.
Not the first Uncle Sam but perhaps the most famous
“Uncle Sam” symbol was used for the first time in 1813. It appeared in a Troy, New York, newspaper. Sam Wilson, a meat packer from New York, was supplying beef to the troops during the War of 1812. He marked the beef barrels with the letters US, meaning the meat was for US soldiers. However, the soldiers began interpreting the letters US as Uncle Sam.
Raggedy Ann Doll Patent
Raggedy Ann dolls were patented by John Gruelle in 1915. He received patent D47,789. He wrote at least 50 Raggedy Ann and Andy books to accompany the dolls.
Patriot Day and National Day of Prayer and Remembrance is today. The United States was attacked by Al Qaeda terrorists on this day in 2001. The terrorists commandeered four passenger planes. They crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City and one plane into the Pentagon. The fourth airplane, destined for Washington, DC, crashed into western Pennsylvania. It appears the passengers tried to regain control of the aircraft. More than 3,000 people died in the attacks. The country responded by attacking possible Al Qaeda cells and other terrorist groups. Security within the country became more stringent. An excellent source of information for children is Dennis Brindell Fradin’s September 11, 2001, published by Marshall Cavendish.
Statue of Leif Erikson in front of Minnesota State Capitol
Leif Erikson Day is celebrated in Iceland and some parts of the United States. The Viking may have discovered North America in the year 1000. Idea: Children could research the evidence and decide which European found the Americas first. October 9 has no association to Erikson; the date was picked because the first ship filled with Norwegian immigrants landed on October 9, 1825. The day was first recognized by Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1964. Every president since then has honored the day. Some people believe we should honor Leif Erikson Day rather than Columbus Day. Children could learn more about the debate at: Leif Erikson Day.
Changes from Treaty of 1818
Treaty of 1818 was signed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Among other decisions, the treaty stated that the 49th Parallel would define most of the border between Canada and the United States. Older children can peruse the treaty at: Treaty of 1818.
John Kennedy
Cuban Missile Crisis began when President Kennedy in 1962 demanded that missiles placed in Cuba by the Soviet Union be removed. The United States also placed an embargo around the island to prevent other arms entering Cuba. On October 28 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics started to remove the weapons. Older children could learn more at: State Department.