Today is Labor Day, a holiday and the unofficial end to summer. The holiday was probably first observed in 1882 in New York City by the Carpenters and Joiners Union. The holiday grew in popularity, and over half the states were celebrating Labor Day by 1893. President Grover Cleveland made it a legal holiday in 1894. Children can learn more at:Labor Day.
Flag of Brazil
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.
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.
Elizabeth I (born Greenwich Palace, 1533; died Richmond, England, March 24, 1603) was queen of England from 1558 until her death. Her parents were Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. During her reign England became a leading power. Idea: Children could read from the Royal Diaries series, Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor England, by Kathryn Lasky.
Elmer Hader (born Pajaro, California, 1889; died Nyack, New York, September 9, 1973) was a writer and illustrator of children’s books. He and his wife Berta Hader collaborated on more than 100 books. They received the 1948 Caldecott Medal for The Big Snow.
Eric Hill (born Holloway, United Kingdom, 1927; died Templeton, California, June 6, 2014) wrote children’s books. He is most known for his books about Spot, a puppy always getting into trouble. More than 60 million copies of his books have been sold. Children can learn more at: Eric Hill.
Buddy Holly (born Charles Harden Holly in Lubbock, Texas, 1936; died in a plane crash near Mason City, Iowa, February 3, 1959) was a leader of rock ‘n’ roll. One of his most famous songs was “Peggy Sue.”
Jacob Lawrence (born Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917; died Seattle, Washington, June 9, 2000) was an African American painter and illustrator. He received the Spingarn Medal. Children can visit a website at: Jacob Lawrence.
LeUyen Pham (born Saigon, Vietnam, 1973) writes and illustrates books for children. Her illustrations of Bear Came Along, written by Richard T. Morris, earned her a 2020 Caldecott Honor Award.
Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses (born Greenwich, New York, 1860; died Hoosick Falls, New York, December 13, 1961) was a contemporary primitive artist. She began painting when she was 78 years old. Children could view some of her work at: Grandma Moses.
Flag of Andorra
Andorra Celebrates Our Lady of Meritxell Day, a national holiday. The holiday has been celebrated as early as 1278. About 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC, Andorra is located in the Pyrenees between Spain and France. Approximately 85,000 people live in the country, and Andorra la Vella is the capital. Tourism accounts for about 80% of GDP.
Flag of North Macedonia
North Macedonia celebrates Independence Day. North Macedonia peacefully gained its freedom from Yugoslavia in 1991. This land-locked country, about the size of Vermont, has dry summers and cold, very snowy winters. Over two million people live in Macedonia, and Skopje is the capital.
David by Michelangelo
(detail)
Michelangelo’s David was unveiled in Florence in 1504. Michelangelo started working on the seventeen foot marble statue in 1501. For many years it was displayed in an open piazza, but it was moved to the Accademia Gallery in 1873. A replica was then placed in the statue’s original location. Children might be interested in the book Michelangelo for Kids: His Life and Ideas, with 21 Activities by Simonetta Carr.
Pledge of Allegiance was read publicly for the first time in 1892. Francis Bellamy wrote it so that people could declare their patriotism. It has undergone four changes, and it was formally adopted by Congress in 1942.
Margaret Gorman
Margaret Gorman became the first Miss America in 1921 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The pageant was created in an effort to keep people in Atlantic City after Labor Day.