United Nations Flag
Universal Children’s Day is observed by the United Nations. The day was first marked in 1953. Over one hundred nations recognize this day. Children could combine the ideas of the Bill of Rights and Universal Children’s Day and propose ideas for a children’s bill of rights. Children can learn more at: Children’s Day
Peregrine White, born 1620, was the first child of Pilgrims born in the New World. His parents, William and Susanna, chose the name peregrine because it means “traveler” or “pilgrim.” This meaning of peregrine is very different than the meaning most Americans would have today; a peregrine is a bird of prey. Born on the Mayflower anchored off Plymouth Colony, Peregrine had one sibling. His father died in 1621, and his mother married Edward Winslow a short time later. Both his father and stepfather were signers of the Mayflower Compact. Peregrine served in the military, and he was a well respected member of the community. He died on July 20, 1704.
Bill of Rights was ratified by New Jersey in 1789. New Jersey was the first state to approve the amendments. The process was completed on December 15, 1791, when Virginia ratified the amendments. Children can learn more at: Bill of Rights.
Traffic Light Patent Drawing
Traffic signal was patented in 1923 by Garrett Morgan. Experts are not sure if Morgan’s traffic signal was actually used. Children can view the rest of his patent at: Traffic Signal Patent.
Marion Dane Bauer (born Oglesby, Illinois,1938) is a children’s writer and a writing teacher. She has written over 80 books. Her novel Rain of Fire was awarded the 1984 Jane Addams Peace Association Award, and On My Honor received the 1987 Newbery Honor Award. Her website showcases her books and presents great writing tips: Marion Dane Bauer.
Joseph Biden
Joseph Biden (born Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1942) is the 46th and current President of the United States. He was Vice President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was a US Senator representing Delaware from 1973 to 2009. Children can learn more about the current President at: Joe Biden.
Chester Gould (born Pawnee, Oklahoma, 1900; died Woodstock, Illinois, May 11, 1985) was a cartoonist. His Dick Tracy first appeared in 1931 and was eventually syndicated in one thousand newspapers. Children can become “crimestoppers” at: Dick Tracy.
Hubble Space Telescope
Edwin Powell Hubble (born Marshfield, Missouri, 1889; died San Marino, California, September 28, 1953) was an astronomer. His theories on the expanding universe changed the course of astronomy. Children could read a brief biography at: Hubble. The Hubble Space Telescope is named after him. Children can learn about the Hubble Space Telescope at: Hubble Telescope.
Selma Lagerlof (born Varmland Province, Sweden, 1858; died Varmland Province, Sweden, March 16, 1940) was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature. She received the 1909 prize for her collection of poems. Older children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg.
Oliver Wolcott (born Windsor, Connecticut, 1726; died East Windsor, Connecticut, December 1, 1797) signed the Declaration of Independence. He was a general during the Revolutionary War, and he was part of a strong team that defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga in New York in 1777. Following the Revolutionary War, he was Connecticut’s governor from 1796 until his death in December, 1797. Children can learn more about him at: Oliver Wolcott.
Great American Smokeout Day hopes to persuade smokers to quit. The day is always the third Thursday in November. The American Cancer Society states that 36.5 million Americans smoke cigarettes. The percentage of Americans smoking has declined from 42 percent in 1965 to 14 percent in 2019. However, the number of people smoking cigars or pipes is rising. Children could visit a website at: Great American Smokeout Day.
Gingerbread Cookies
National Gingerbread Cookie Day is today! The key ingredient that separates gingerbread from other baked goods is molasses. Spices include ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Many cultures, including Greece and Egypt, claim to be the originators of the tasty treat.
North Carolina Flag
North Carolina became the twelfth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1789. Its founders named the state after Charles I. Carolus means Charles in Latin. The state’s nicknames are the Tar Heel State and Old North State. Raleigh is the state capital. The state ranks 28th in size and 9th in population. In colonial times the state raised rice and tobacco. Leading sources of income today are tobacco, textiles, and furniture. The Wright Brothers flew their first airplane in Kittyhawk, North Carolina. Children could learn more at: North Carolina. They could also find out what a tar heel is.
Phonograph was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison. The first phonograph certainly differs from today’s music options. Children could view a timeline of audio recordings at: Timeline. They could draw the different stages of development and then predict what the next stage will be.
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964. The 4,260-foot suspension bridge connects Brooklyn and Staten Island. The bridge was the longest in the world until the Humber Bridge was completed in the United Kingdom in 1981. The New York bridge was named in honor of Giovanni de Verrazzano, who was the first European to explore the Hudson River and the New York Harbor. Children could learn about the bridge at: Youtube.