Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 192024
 

Jon Agee (born Nyack, New York, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. His books include Milo’s Hat Trick and Ludlow Laughs. Children can visit his interesting website at: Jon Agee.

Sarah G. Bagley (born Candia, New Hampshire, 1806; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1889) became the first female telegraph operator on February 21, 1846. A women’s rights advocate, she also worked to make millwork safer for women. Children could read an excellent biography of her at: Sarah G. Bagley.

Lucretia Garfield

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield (born Hiram, Ohio, 1832; died South Pasadena, California, March 14, 1918) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881. She was the wife of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States. Children can visit a website at: Lucretia Garfield.

Jean Lee Latham (born Buckhannon, West Virginia, 1902; died Florida, June 13, 1995) wrote at least 34 books, mainly biographies, for children. Her book Carry On, Mr. Bowditch received the 1956 Newbery Medal.

Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman (born Newton, Massachusetts, 1721; died New Haven, Connecticut, July 23, 1793) was the only patriot to sign four of America’s most valuable documents, the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1789 to 1791 and in the Senate from 1791 to 1793. Children could read the chapter about Roger Sherman in American Revolutionaries and Founders of the Nation, by James Meisner, Jr. and Amy Ruth. Children can learn more at: Roger Sherman.

Javaka Steptoe (born New York, New York, 1971) writes and illustrates children’s books. He received the 1998 Coretta Scott King Award for In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall. Steptoe received a 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow. He also earned the 2017 Caldecott Medal for his book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Children can visit his website at: Javaka Steptoe.

 

Radium Was Discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1902

 Events
Apr 202024
 

Marie Curie

Radium was isolated by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1902. They also isolated another new element, polonium. She, her husband, and a third scientist received the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics. She was the first woman to receive any Nobel Prize. She also won the 1911 Nobel Prize in chemistry for her extended work on radium. Radium is a radioactive element that should be handled with great care. Children could read Vicki Cobb’s DK Biography: Marie Curie.

Ludlow Massacre Took Place in 1914

 Events
Apr 202024
 

Site of the Colony after the Battle

Ludlow Massacre happened in 1914 in Ludlow, Colorado. Striking miners were attacked by National Guardsmen. Nineteen men, women, and children were either shot to death or died in a fire. Children could read The Ludlow Massacre of 1913-1914 by Rosemary Laughlin. They could also examine some great primary resources at: https://guides.library.csupueblo.edu/ludlow.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 202024
 

Daniel Chester French

Daniel Chester French (born Exeter, New Hampshire, 1850; died Stockbridge, Massachusetts, October 7, 1931) was a famous American sculptor. His most famous works include the Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts, and the seated Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. Children could learn more at: Daniel Chester French. Children could view several of his artworks at: Met.

Mary Hoffman (born England, 1945) has written over 90 books for children and teenagers. Her books include Troubadour and The Falconer’s Knot. Children can visit her website at: Mary Hoffman.

Joan Miro (born Barcelona, Spain, 1893; died Majorca, Spain, December 25, 1983) was a surrealistic painter. One of his famous works is Dutch Interior, painted in 1928. Children could view a number of his works at: Joan Miro.

John Paul Stevens, Associate Justice

John Paul Stevens

John Paul Stevens (born Chicago, Illinois, 1920; died Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 16, 2019) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court. He was nominated by Gerald Ford in 1975. He retired June 29, 2010. Idea: Children could research the process whereby a person becomes a Supreme Court justice. Is there a term limit for the justices? Should there be a term limit? Children could learn more about him at: John Paul Stevens.

Rome Was Born in 753 BC

 Events
Apr 212024
 

Coliseum

Coliseum

Rome was born in 753 BC. Over two million people live in Rome. It is the home of numerous famous sites, including the Coliseum, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Pantheon. Idea: Children could prepare a travel brochure about Rome. The website http://www.neok12.com/Ancient-Rome.htm has some great videos, but they must be previewed for content.

Battle of San Jacinto – 1836

 Events
Apr 212024
 

Battle of San Jacinto occurred in 1836 in Texas. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his 1,200 soldiers attacked General Sam Houston and his 910 men. The Texans retreated but then caught the Mexicans in surprise. In less than one half hour, the Texans won. As a result of this battle, Texas won its independence from Mexico. Children could read Journey to San Jacinto (Mr. Barrington’s Mysterious Trunk) by Melodie A. Cuate. Children could also learn more at: San Jacinto.

Discovery of Extrasolar Planets Announced in 1994

 Events
Apr 212024
 

First discovery of extrasolar planets (now called exoplanets) was announced in 1994. As of mid-April, 2024, NASA announced that data from the Kepler Space Observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other instruments had located 5,612 exoplanets. Scientists have observed another 10,170 exoplanets yet to be confirmed. In addition, experts have found 4,175 planetary systems. Children could learn more at the NASA site, especially the Interactives Tab, at: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 212024
 

Charlotte Bronte (born Hartshead, Yorkshire, England, 1816; died Haworth, Yorkshire, England, March 31, 1855) was a novelist, best known for Jane Eyre. She wrote three other novels. Children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Queen Elizabeth II (born London, United Kingdom, 1926; died Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom, September 8, 2022) served as the monarch of the United Kingdom for over 70 years. During her tenure she worked with fifteen Prime Ministers, fourteen US Presidents, and seven Popes. She has stated, “Change has become a constant. Managing it has become an expanding discipline. The way we embrace it defines our future.”

President Roosevelt met John Muir in Yosemite 100 years ago

President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir

John Muir (born Dunbar, Scotland, 1838; died Los Angeles, California, December 24, 1914) was a naturalist and writer. He helped establish Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. He started the Sierra Club, and Muir Woods was dedicated to him in 1908. Children can read some of his writings at: Project Gutenberg. Children can learn more about Muir at: John Muir.

Barbara Park (born Mount Holly, New Jersey, 1947; died Scottsdale, Arizona, November 15, 2013) was a children’s author. She was the author of the Junie B. Jones books. Children can visit a website at: http://juniebjones.com/.

Jane Breskin Zalben (born New York, New York, 1950) has written and illustrated at least 50 books for children and young adults. Her books include Mousterpiece and Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World. Children can visit her website at: Jane Breskin Zalben.

Passover Begins This Evening

 Events
Apr 222024
 

matzah

Passover begins at sundown tonight and ends at sundown on April 30. Passover (Pesach) celebrates the freedom of Jews from Egyptian slavery. During Passover, Jews cannot eat any leavened bread, but they can eat unleavened bread called matzah. Children could read the chapter about Passover from Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays, written by Gilda Berger and illustrated by Peter Catalanotto.

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