Robert E. Peary
Robert E. Peary claimed in 1909 he was the first person to reach the North Pole. He, his assistant Matthew Henson, and four companions traveled to within several miles of the North Pole. Peary rested for a few hours and then, with two companions, finished the journey (according to his calculations). Many experts feel he did not actually reach the North Pole. Children could learn more at: Peary.
1917 Uncle Sam Recruitment Poster
United States declared war on Germany in 1917, bringing America into World War I. The Allies (United States, Great Britain, France, and Russia) fought the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The war informally ended on Armistice Day (now Veterans Day) on November 11, 1918. The Treaty of Versailles formally ended the war on June 28, 1919. Children can learn more from the resources at: http://www.neok12.com/World-War-I.htm
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) was accidentally discovered in 1938 by Roy J. Plunkett, who worked for DuPont. Today Teflon is used in containers that might store corrosive materials. It can be used as a lubricant. Teflon is also popular in cookware, and it can be used as graft material for surgeries.
Graeme Base (born Amershame, England, 1958) is an author and illustrator. One of his most famous works is Animalia, published in 1986. Children could visit his very interesting website at: Graeme Base.
Raphael (born Urbino, Italy, 1483; died Rome, Italy, April 6, 1520) was a Renaissance painter. He was also an architect. Children could visit a website at: Raphael and look at some prints of his works. How does he compare with other artists of the Renaissance?
Rose Schneiderman (born Saven, Poland, 1882; died New York, New York, August 11, 1972) fought for better working conditions for women. Children could learn more at: Rose Schneiderman.
James Watson (born Chicago, Illinois, 1928) created, with Francis H. C. Crick, a model for the structure of DNA. The two, along with Maurice H. F. Wilkins, received the 1962 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine. Older children could see his fascinating TED Talk at: James Watson.
World Health Day is today. It coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organization. This year’s theme is My Health, My Right. Children can learn more at: World Health Day.
Metric system was born when France adopted the system in 1795. Gabriel Mounton, a French vicar, proposed the system in 1670. The Convention of the Metre in 1875 standardized most measurements. Today the United States is one of only a few countries that do not use the metric system. Children can learn more at: Metric System.
United Nations Flag
United Nations World Health Day remembers the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has six agendas: promoting development, fostering health security, strengthening health systems, harnessing research, information and evidence, enhancing partnerships, and improving performance. Children can learn more at: WHO.
Internet’s symbolic birthday is today in 1969 when RFC1 (Request for Comments) was published. Children can view a timeline of the internet at: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0193167.html.
Conceptual Drawing of 2001 Mars Odyssey
2001 Mars Odyssey was launched on this date and reached Mars on October 24, 2001. The robotic satellite began to send back data on February 19, 2002. Now 2001 Mars Odyssey is the oldest operating spacecraft beyond earth. Children can learn more at: 2001 Mars Odyssey.
Donald Carrick (born Dearborn, Michigan, 1929; died Edgartown, Massachusetts, 1989) wrote and illustrated children’s books. His wife, Carol, and he collaborated on 37 books. Their books include Patrick’s Dinosaur and Drip Drop.
El Greco (born Domenikos Theotokopoulos in Iraklion, Crete, 1541; died Toledo, Spain, April 7, 1614) was a great painter. He studied in Venice in 1559 or 1560. Looking for patrons, he moved to Toledo, Spain, in 1577. Named “The Greek” by the Spaniards, he spent the rest of his life in that country. His paintings, especially for the time, were fairly abstract. He used light and dark colors to his advantage, and he distorted figures to achieve an emotional impact. Children could visit a website at: El Greco.
Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1915; died New York, New York, July 17, 1959) was an African American singer. Children can learn more about her at: Billie Holiday.
Cheryl Willis Hudson (born Portsmouth, Virginia, 1948) writes books for children. Her books include Hands Can and Let’s Count, Baby. Children can learn more at: Cheryl Willis Hudson.
Corn Flakes
Will Keith Kellogg (born Battle Creek, Michigan, 1860; died Battle Creek, Michigan, October 6, 1951) was a cereal manufacturer. Known as the “King of the Corn Flakes,” he started a cereal company in 1906 and made a $50 million fortune. Idea: Children could make a bar graph of favorite cereals. They could also see a timeline of cereal development at: Kellogg Timeline.
Tony Palazzo (born New York, New York, 1905; died Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, September 10, 1970) wrote and/or illustrated about 65 books for children. He received a Caldecott Honor Award in 1947 for Timothy Turtle. Other works include Animals of the Night and The Biggest and Littlest Animals.
William Wordsworth (born Cockermouth, England, 1770; died Grasmere, England, April 23, 1850) may have been the most significant English romantic poet. He wrote over five hundred sonnets, and he collaborated with Samuel Taylor Coleridge to write Lyrical Ballads. Wordsworth actively supported the French Revolution. Children can read his works at: William Wordsworh.