Flag of Montenegro
Montenegro celebrates National Day. In 1878 it was recognized as an independent country. Since then it has been a part of several countries. However, it became independent again in 2006. Slightly smaller than Connecticut, Montenegro borders the Adriatic Sea. Over 650,000 people live in Montenegro, and Podgorica is the capital. Older children can learn more at: Montenegro.
Northwest Ordinance was created in 1787. It provided for the government of the territory north of the Ohio River. However, it was the foundation for all other American territorial governments. It established how the territory could eventually become a state, and it guaranteed basic freedoms for its inhabitants. States carved from the Northwest Territory include Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and Minnesota. Idea: Older children could read a transcript of the document at: Northwest Ordinance. Children could find out how a territory can become a state or states.
Lake Itasca
Source of Mississippi River Was Found by Henry Schoolcraft in 1832. He named the Minnesota body of water Lake Itasca. The Mississippi River flows south 2,350 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the world’s fourth longest river system (after the Nile River, the Amazon River, and the Yangtze River). Children could find some VERY INTERESTING FACTS at: http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm.
World Cup Soccer opened in 1930. The first such event, the championship concluded on July 30. Thirteen teams competed in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay won the final game. The World Cup has been held every four years since then, except during World War II. The next World Cup finals 2026 will be in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June and July.
Walter Poenisch completed his swim from Cuba to Florida, a distance of 128.8 miles, in 1978. He had started several days earlier. The first man to successfully swim that distance, Poenisch was observing his 65th birthday!
Marcia Brown (born Rochester, New York, 1918; died Laguna Hills, California, April 28, 2015) was an author and illustrator. She created more than 30 books. She received three Caldecott Medals: Cinderella in 1955; Once a Mouse in 1962; and Shadow in 1983. She also earned six Caldecott Honor Awards: Stone Soup, an Old Tale in 1948; Henry, Fisherman, a Tale of the Virgin Islands in 1950; Dick Whittington and His Cat in 1951; Skipper John’s Cook in 1952; Puss in Boots in 1953; and The Steadfast Tin Soldier in 1954. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award was presented to her in 1992 for her body of works. Children can learn more at: Marcia Brown.
Ashley Bryan (born New York, New York, 1923; died Sugar Land, Texas, February 4, 2022) was a picture book author and illustrator. He earned two Coretta Scott King Medals for illustration: in 1981 for Beat the Story Drum, Pum Pum and in 2008 for Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals. He also earned seven Coretta Scott King Honor Awards: in 1983 for I’m Going to Sing: Black American Spirituals; in 1988 for What a Morning! The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals; in 1992 for All Night, All Day: A Child’s First Book of African American Spirituals; in 1998 for Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry; in 2004 for Beautiful Blackbird; and in 1987 he received both the story award and the illustration award for Lion and the Ostrich Chicks and Other African Folk Tales. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award was presented to him in 2009 for his body of works. In 2017 he earned a Newbery Honor Award for Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan. Children can learn more at: Ashley Bryan.
Michael Dooling (born 1958) has written six books and has illustrated at least 65 books. His books include George Washington’s Army and Me and Young Thomas Edison. Children can visit his website at: Michael Dooling.
Anna Grossnickle Hines (born Cincinnati, Ohio, 1946) has written and/or illustrated at least 50 books for children. Her works include William’s Turn and My Pat-a-Cake Grandma. Children can visit her website at: http://www.aghines.com/.