Jul 062024
 

Flag of Malawi

Malawi celebrates Republic Day. It received its independence from Great Britain in 1964. This landlocked country, slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania, is located in central Africa. Almost 17 million people live in the country. One of its major industries is the processing of foods, including tea, sugar, and tobacco. Lilongwe is the capital. Children could learn more at: Malawi.

Jul 062024
 

Comoros celebrates Independence Day. Comoros declared its independence from France in 1975. This archipelago is located in the Mozambique Channel, and the country is smaller than Rhode Island. Over 700,000 people live on the islands. Its major industries are perfume distillation and fishing. Moroni is the capital. Children could learn more at: Comoros.

Jul 062024
 

Babe Ruth

Major League All-Star Game was held for the first time in 1933 in Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois. Players included Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Planned as a one-time event, the very successful All-Star game has been played every year since then, except 1945 (World War II) and 2020 (Covid-19 Pandemic). Children could learn more, including a list of every All-Star Game, at: Baseball.

Jul 062024
 

Kathi Appelt (born Fayetteville, North Carolina, 1954) has written at least 40 books for children. Her novel The Underneath received a 2009 Newbery Honor Award. Appelt also wrote Before and After Otis. Children can visit her website at: Kathi Appelt.

George W. Bush

George W. Bush (born New Haven, Connecticut, 1946) was the forty-third president of the United States. He is a former governor of Texas. Children can visit a website at: George W. Bush.

Cheryl Harness (born Maywood, California, 1951) has written and illustrated at least 35 books for children. Her books include Mary Walker Wears the Pants and Just for You to Know. Children can visit her website at: Cheryl Harness.

Ekua Holmes (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1955) is an artist and children’s book illustrator. She received a 2016 Caldecott Honor Award for Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. She earned the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets.

John Paul Jones (born Kirkbean, Scotland, 1747; died Paris, France, July 18, 1792) was a Revolutionary War hero. His name was really John Paul, but he added the names Jones when he fled a murder charge in the Caribbean and came to the United States. He was captain of the U. S. S. Bonhomme Richard and battled the British Serapis. When the British captain asked him if he was ready to surrender, he replied, “Sir, I have not yet begun to fight.”

Frida Kahlo (born Coyoacan, Mexico, 1907; died Coyoacan, Mexico, July 13, 1954) was a surrealist painter. She was the wife of Diego Rivera. Children can view some of her works at: Frida Kahlo.

Carol Lerner (born Chicago, Illinois, 1927) has written and illustrated about twenty books for children. Books include Butterflies in the Garden and Plants that Make You Sniffle and Sneeze.

Dhan Gopal Mukerji (born Kajangal, India, 1890; died New York, New York, July 14, 1936) was a writer. He received the 1928 Newbery Medal for Gay Neck, The Story of  a Pigeon. Children could read his Kari the Elephant at: Project Gutenberg.

Nancy Reagan

Nancy Davis Reagan (born Anne Francis Robbins in New York, New York, 1921; died Los Angeles, California, March 6, 2016) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989. She was the wife of Ronald Reagan, fortieth president of the United States. Her given name was Anne, but she was nicknamed Nancy as a small child. Her parents divorced, and her mother married Loyal Davis. He adopted Nancy. She became an actress and appeared in eleven movies. While she was First Lady, she directed major changes to the second and third floors of the White House. Children can visit a website at: Nancy Reagan.

Gloria Skurzynski (born Duquesne, Pennsylvania, 1930) has written more than 60 books for children. Her books include This Is Rocket Science and Are We Alone? Children can visit her website at: Gloria Skurzynski.