Texas Flag
Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. Sixty Texans met and drafted a declaration of independence. They based their break from Mexico on about six concerns, including lack of religious freedom and lack of public schools. Texas was a country until February 19, 1846, when it became a state of the United States.
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier National Park became the country’s fifth national park in 1899. Located in the state of Washington, the park is almost 370 square miles. Mount Rainier, an active volcano, is the jewel of the park. Children can visit a website at: http://www.nps.gov/mora.
First Flight
Wright Brothers National Memorial was authorized in 1927. Originally designated Kill Devil Hills Memorial, the memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The 428-acre site pays tribute to the Wright Brothers’ original four flights on December 17, 1903. Children can learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm.
Leo Dillon (born Brooklyn, New York, 1933; died Brooklyn, New York, May 26, 2012) was a children’s book illustrator with wife Diane Dillon. They illustrated at least 40 picture books, including Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale which received the 1976 Caldecott Medal. The following year they again received the Caldecott Medal for their illustrations in Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions. They also illustrated at least 30 chapter books. They received the 2002 Virginia Hamilton Award for their body of works. Children can learn more at: Leo Dillon.
Sam Houston
Sam Houston (born Rockbridge County, Virginia, 1793; died Huntsville, Texas, July 26, 1863) is one of Texas’s greatest heroes. He defeated General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. He was elected to the United States Senate and served as governor of Texas until 1861 when he declined to swear allegiance to the Confederacy. Children can learn more at: Sam Houston.
Marjorie Blain Parker (born Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 1960) writes books for children. Her books include Jasper’s Day and When Dads Don’t Grow Up. Children can visit her website at: Marjorie Blain Parker.
Dr. Seuss (born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1902; died La Jolla, California, September 24, 1991) was an author and an illustrator. He wrote among other works Green Eggs and Ham, published in 1960. His birthday is celebrated by the Read Across America program. Children could visit a website at: http://www.nea.org/readacross. They could also read Imagine That! How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Finally, they could make and eat green eggs by adding a few drops of green food coloring to scrambled eggs before cooking the eggs.
National Anthem Day is today! “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem in 1931. Prior to 1931, the country had a number of patriotic songs but no national anthem. Little by little, various groups, including the navy, adopted the song. President Herbert Hoover signed the bill.
Flag of Bulgaria
Rila Monastery in Bulgaria
Bulgaria celebrates Liberation Day. The country became an autonomous body under the Ottoman Empire in 1878. About the size of the state of Tennessee, Bulgaria borders the Black Sea, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. The country exports textiles and footwear. Almost seven million people live in Bulgaria, and Sofia is the capital. Older children could learn more at: Bulgaria.
Hinamatsuri is celebrated in Japan. During this festival, girls cover a stairstep arrangement with red cloth and display their dolls. These dolls have been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Blessings are placed on girls, and special foods are served. This website provides a great photo of a display and gives other good facts: Hinamatsuri.
Thomas L. Jennings patented “dry scouring clothes” in 1821. He became the first African American to receive a patent. He received Patent Number 3306X. Unfortunately his patent was lost in a fire, but experts believe the dry scouring was a form of dry cleaning. His process made him a successful businessman, and he spent much of his profits on the abolition movement.
Flag of Florida
Florida became the twenty-seventh state of the United States in 1845. Juan Ponce de Leon named the state Pasqua Florida, Easter festival of the flowers. The state capital is Tallahassee, and the state’s nickname is the Sunshine State. It ranks twenty-second in area and third in population. Most of the state is just above sea level. It is home to the Kennedy Space Center and Lake Okeechobee. Children could visit an Internet site at: Florida. They could also design a brochure regarding tourism in the state.
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell (born Edinburgh, Scotland, 1847; died Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Scotland, August 2, 1922) invented the telephone. Bell’s first call to Thomas Watson (who was in another room in the same building) was on March 10, 1876. The famous duo of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson made history again when the first transcontinental telephone call occurred on January 25, 1915. Watson was in San Francisco, California, when Bell called him from New York, New York. President Woodrow Wilson and the mayors of both cities were also part of the call. Bell also investigated causes of deafness. Children can learn more at: Alexander Graham Bell.
Jacqueline Joyner-Kersee (born East St. Louis, 1962) is an Olympic gold medalist in the heptathlon. She received the gold medal in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Sports Illustrated named her female athlete of the century.
Suse MacDonald (born Evanston, Illinois, 1940) writes and illustrates books for children. Her wonderful book Alphabatics received a 1987 Caldecott Honor Award. Other books include Dino Shapes and Circus Opposites.
Patricia MacLachlan (born Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1938; died Williamsburg, Massachusetts, March 31, 2022) wrote at least 60 children’s books. She wrote among other works Sarah, Plain and Tall, which received the 1986 Newbery Medal, the 1986 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and the 1986 Golden Kite Award. Other works include Before You Came and All the Places to Love.
George Pullman (born Brocton, New York, 1831; died Chicago, Illinois, October 19, 1897) invented the Pullman sleeping car for the railroad. Children could learn more at: George Pullman.