Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon were crowned in England in 1509. Catherine of Aragon, a Spanish princess and the widow of his brother Arthur, was the first of his six wives. Children can learn more about his six wives at: Wives.
Jun 242026
Jun 242026
Matthew Thornton died in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1803. 
Representing New Hampshire, he signed the Declaration of Independence. His exact date of birth is unknown, but scholars know he was born in Ireland. He was a physician and did not marry until he was 46 years old. He helped establish New Hampshire’s constitution and also served as a judge. Children can learn more at: Matthew Thornton.
Jun 242026
Coffee was first planted along the Kona coast of Hawaii in 1817. Kona coffee, grown in the soil of volcanic mountains, is very expensive. Often Kona coffee is blended with other beans. In 1997 about two million pounds of green Kona coffee beans were harvested. In 2019, almost 7,000 acres produced over 2.5 tons of green coffee.
Jun 242026
Berlin Airlift
Berlin airlift began in 1948. After World War II, Germany was divided into four parts. The Soviet Union controlled the portion that held Berlin. Berlin itself had been divided into four parts. Hoping to create a blockade, the Soviet Union denied access to the city. The United States, France, and Great Britain responded, via “Operation Vittles,” by airlifting food and other supplies into Berlin. Over 2,300,000 tons of supplies were lifted in via 277,000 flights. The airlift lasted until May 12, 1949.
Jun 242026
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (born Fort Wayne, Tennessee, 1967) has written at least fifteen books for children. She earned a 2016 Newbery Honor Award for The War that Saved My Life. Children can learn more at: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
Betty Cavanna (born Camden, New Jersey, 1901; died Vezelay, France, August 13, 2001) wrote books for young adults. Her works include Paintbox Summer and Spice Island Mystery. Children can learn more at: Betty Cavanna.
Kathryn Lasky (born Indianapolis, Indiana, 1944) has written at least 100 books for children and young adults. She wrote the Royal Diaries series and the Dear America series. A Night Journey received the 1981 Sydney Taylor Book Award for older readers. Sugaring Time was a 1984 Newbery Honor Book. Children could visit her website at: Kathryn Lasky.
Jean Marzollo (born Manchester, Connecticut, 1942; died Cold Spring, New York, April 10, 2018) wrote at least 100 books for children. Her books include the I Spy series. Children could visit her website at: Jean Marzollo.
Ellison Onizuka (born Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii, 1946; died in the Challenger disintegration, January 28, 1986) was an aerospace engineer aboard the Challenger.
Jun 252026
Flag of Mozambique
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.
Jun 252026
Croatia and Slovenia celebrate Independence Day. They both broke away from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Flag of Croatia
Croatia is about the size of West Virginia. Croatia’s seacoast has a Mediterranean climate, and the interior has more of a continental climate. About four million people live in Croatia, and natural resources include oil and bauxite. Zagreb is the capital.
Flag of Slovenia
Slovenia, according to the CIA World Factbook, is about the size of New Jersey. Slovenia, north of Croatia, also has a Mediterranean climate along its coast. Coal, lead, and zinc are natural resources. Almost two million Slovenians live in this small country. Ljubljana is the capital.
Jun 252026
Virginia Flag
Virginia became the tenth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. It was named after Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. Its nicknames include Old Dominion, Mother of Presidents, and Mother of States. The capital is Richmond. Virginia ranks 36th in area and twelfth in population. Jamestown was settled in 1607, and important landmarks include Arlington National Cemetery and Appomattox Courthouse National Park. Idea: Students could find a list of birthplaces of Presidents. Is Virginia truly the Mother of Presidents?
Jun 252026
George Custer
Custer’s Last Stand took place in 1876 at Little Bighorn. Custer and his men attacked a camp of Sioux Indians in Montana Territory. Custer had misjudged the number of Indian fighters, and all 200 soldiers were killed within two hours. The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument was established on November 26, 1991. Children can visit the monument site at: http://www.nps.gov/libi.
Jun 252026
Image from Korean War Memorial
Korean War began in 1950. Soldiers from northern Korea attacked southern troops. The United States entered the conflict on June 30. The war ended July 27, 1953. Older children could learn more at: Korean War.