First nickel was minted in 1866. The Shield Nickel, composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, was struck until 1883 when the Liberty Head Nickel was introduced. Children could participate in activities at the United States Mint website for kids: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/games/.
Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial ended in 1868 when the Senate failed by one vote to find him guilty of the charges. Children can learn more at: Johnson Impeachment.
American Horseshoe Pitchers Association was formed in 1914. Idea: Children could pitch some plastic horseshoes on the playground. They could visit the still-functioning group’s website at: http://www.horseshoepitching.com/.
Academy Awards, the Oscars, were awarded for the first time in 1929. The Academy Awards honor films and film-related topics and people, Idea: The children could decide some Academy Award categories and pick some nominees. The class could vote to decide the winners.
Gordon Cooper, an American astronaut, circled the earth 22 times in 1963. His craft was the Faith 7. He splashed down over 34 hours after take-off. His craft was hoisted aboard a carrier before he opened the hatch. His voyage was the last of the Mercury flights. Children could learn more at: Cooper.
Caroline Arnold (born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1944) has written and/or illustrated at least 170 books for children. She has also provided many of the photographs in her books. Her books include A Polar Bear’s World and Wiggle and Waggle. Children can visit her website, particularly the activities portion, at: Caroline Arnold.
Bruce Coville (born Syracuse, New York, 1950) has written at least 100 books for children. His books include the My Teacher Is an Alien series and Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Children can visit his website, particularly the fun page, at: Bruce Coville.
Wesley Dennis (born Falmouth, Massachusetts, 1903; died Falmouth, Massachusetts, September 3, 1966) wrote and illustrated books for children. He is most known for his illustrations of horses. He illustrated fifteen of Marguerite Henry’s books, including Justin Morgan Had a Horse and Misty of Chincoteague. He also illustrated John Steinbeck’s The Red Pony and Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty. Children can learn more at: Wesley Dennis.
Margret Rey (born Hamburg, Germany, 1906; died Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 21, 1966) was a children’s author. She and her husband, H. A. Rey, created Curious George. Children can learn more about her and her husband by reading The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey, by Louise W. Borden and Allan Drummond. Children can also visit Margret Rey.
Nancy Grace Roman (born Nashville, Tennessee, 1925; died Germantown, Maryland, December 26, 2018) was an astronomer and one of the first female leaders in NASA. She is called the “Mother of the Hubble Telescope.” Children could read the transcript of an excellent interview at: Nancy Grace Roman.
William Henry Seward (born Florida, New York, 1801; died Auburn, New York, October 10, 1872) was secretary of state for Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. He arranged the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000. At the time many people called the deal “Seward’s Folly,” but that purchase ended up to be more than remarkable. Children could read William Seward: The Mastermind of the Alaska Purchase by Zachary Kent. Children could also learn more at: Alaska.