United Nations Flag
World Soil Day is today! The day reminds us of the importance of healthy soil and its role in promoting a healthy earth. It was initiated by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations on December 5, 2013. This year’s theme is Soil and Water: A Source of Life. Idea: Children could dig up some soil and look for plant remains and animals. They could also investigate how to compost.
United Nations Flag
United Nations declares today as International Volunteer Day. This year’s theme is Volunteering Is Empathy in Action. Children could volunteer to help around the community. They could consider picking up litter or building bird feeders. Children could learn more at: Volunteer.
Amendment Twenty-One to the Constitution was adopted in 1933, repealing Amendment Eighteen and ending Prohibition.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Montgomery Bus Boycott began in 1955. Following Rosa Parks’s arrest on December 1, 1955, African Americans boycotted buses until December 20, 1956. A Supreme Court ruling forced the integration of the bus system. Children could learn more at: Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Pathfinder was launched toward Mars in 1996. The craft traveled for 211 days and 309 million miles to reach the surface of Mars on July 4, 1997. A small rover named Sojourner (named after Sojourner Truth) traveled about the surface and analyzed rocks and the surface of the planet. The two vehicles (both significantly outliving scientific estimates) sent back 2.3 billion bits of data before transmissions stopped on September 27, 1997. Children can view some of the images of Mars at: Pathfinder.
George Armstrong Custer (born New Rumley, Ohio, 1839; died Little Bighorn, Montana Territory, June 25, 1876) was an army officer. He became famous during the Civil War for being fearless. After the war, he joined a regiment fighting the Indians in Montana Territory. On June 25, 1876, he found an Indian village that he thought housed about one thousand warriors. However, the number of warriors probably exceeded two thousand. Custer and about 210 soldiers attacked immediately. Every soldier was killed, and the battle became known as “Custer’s Last Stand.” Children could read Dennis Brindell Fradin’s book, Custer’s Last Stand (Turning Points In U. S. History).
Walt Disney
Walt(er Elias) Disney (born Chicago, Illinois, 1901; died Los Angeles, California, December 15, 1966) was a cartoonist and empire builder. He invented Mickey Mouse and all the animal’s friends. Disney produced a number of animated movies, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942). He also produced live action movies and television programs. Disneyland opened in 1955, and Disney World began operations in 1971. Children could have a Disney Day. They could wear Disney shirts and share Disney books.
Bill Pickett (born Jenks-Branch, Texas, 1870; died Ponca City, Oklahoma, April 2, 1932) was an African American cowboy and rodeo star. Children can read more about his life at: Bill Pickett.
Christina Georgina Rossetti (born London, England, 1830; died London, England, December 29, 1894) was a poet. One of her most well known collections appropriate for children is Goblin Market and Other Poems, published in 1872. Children can read her works at: Project Gutenberg.
Martin Van Buren (born Kinderhook, New York, 1782; died Kinderhook, New York, July 24, 1862) was the eighth president (1837-1841) of the United States. The first president not to live during the Revolutionary War, he was nicknamed “The Little Magician.” He was a lawyer and Andrew Jackson’s vice president before he was elected president. Van Buren’s presidency had quite a few conflicts. The North disliked his views regarding slavery, and the South was not happy when he would not annex Texas. The Panic of 1837 caused a severe depression nation-wide. Children could visit a website at: Martin Van Buren.
Hugh Williamson (born Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1735; died New York, New York, May 22, 1819) represented North Carolina at the Continental Congress and at the Constitutional Convention. During his lifetime he was a minister, physician, scientist, and lawmaker. From 1789 to 1793 he represented North Carolina in the House of Representatives. Older children could learn more at: Hugh Williamson.
Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated by children in Central and Northern Europe. Dutch children fill their shoes with hay the night before. Treats can be found in the shoes the next day.
Pears
World Pear Day is today! Celebrated on the first Saturday in December, the day reminds us of the versatility and nutritional value of pears. Pears are high in fiber, and they can be baked, poached, sautéed, or eaten raw. China, Argentina, and the United States are the three largest producers of pears in that order. Washington, Oregon, and California are the three largest growers of pears in the United States in that order. Over three thousand types of pears are grown worldwide. This year’s theme is Pick Your Perfect Pear.
Microwave Patent
National Microwave Oven Day is today! The history of why this day was chosen to celebrate microwave ovens is obscure; the micowave oven patent was awarded on October 8, 1945, to Percy Spencer. However, most people now depend on their microwave ovens on a daily basis. Idea: Children could record how many times a day people use the microwave and why. They could figure out what patterns become obvious.
Flag of Finland
Finland celebrates Independence Day. It became free from Russia in 1917. For centuries Sweden and Russia have fought over Finland. Russia took over the country in 1809. According to the CIA World Factbook, Finland is slightly smaller than the state of Montana. Today Helsinki is the northernmost capital of any country in Europe. More than five million people live in Finland, and most live in a small coastal plain. Over three-fourths of the land is covered with forests. It exports timber and wood pulp. Children can learn more at: Finland.