Flag of Iceland
Iceland celebrates Independence Day. It gained its independence from Denmark in 1944. Vikings settled on the island in the ninth century AD. According to the CIA World Factbook, Iceland is approximately the size of Kentucky. About 315,000 people live on this hotspot for volcanic activity. Less than one percent of the land can be farmed. Reykjavik is the capital. Children can learn more at: Iceland.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill occurred in 1775. Actually most of the military action took place on nearby Breed’s Hill. Britain won the battle, but they suffered severe casualties. The Patriot forces retreated, but they lost few soldiers. The battle proved to the British that the Patriots were better organized than they thought. Children could learn more at: Bunker Hill.
National Spelling Bee was held for the first time in 1925. Frank Newhauser won the competition, held in Louisville, Kentucky. The winning word was gladiolus. Children could learn more about the National Spelling Bee at: Spelling Bee.
Amelia Earhart in 1928 became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. However, she was a passenger (keeping the flight log) and not a pilot. Wilmer Stultz was the pilot. They left Newfoundland and landed in Wales. Children can learn more about Earhart at: Amelia Earhart.
Watergate Day occurred in 1972 when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic Headquarters. The headquarters were located in the Watergate building in Washington, DC. The men were tied to President Richard Nixon’s reelection committee. Over 60 people were indicted. Ultimately Richard Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, because he was about to be impeached. Older children can view a timeline of the Watergate scandal at: Watergate.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1999 had to be moved because the encroaching ocean was close to washing it away. The 2900-foot move was completed on July 9, 1999. Children could learn about the fascinating move at: Cape Hatteras.
William Hooper (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1742; died Hillsboro, North Carolina, October 14, 1790) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented North Carolina. Born in Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard and became an attorney. He moved to North Carolina and was elected to the state legislature. Passionate about establishing a new country, he had to hide from the British after they burned down his home. Children can learn more at: William Hooper.
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (born Oranienbaum, Russia, 1882; died New York, New York, April 6, 1971) was a Russian composer. Two of his most famous works are The Firebird and The Rite of Spring.
United States declared war against Great Britain, starting the War of 1812. Some people call the war the Second War of American Independence. The war ended December 24, 1814. Children could learn more at: War of 1812.
Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1815 by Wellington and Blucher. This military loss ended Napoleon’s reign in France, and the British exiled him to Saint Helena where he died in 1821.
Sally Ride
Sally Ride in 1983 became the first American woman and the third woman in space. She and four other crew members were in the Challenger for six days. Since then, at least 73 women, including women from France, India, United Kingdom, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Canada, and China, have flown in space. Children can learn more at: Sally Ride.