Switzerland Celebrates Confederation Day of 1291

 Events
Aug 012024
 

Flag of Switzerland

Switzerland celebrates Confederation Day of 1291. Three cantons formed an alliance, and other cantons joined as years passed. The 1874 constitution changed the confederation into a country. The area of Switzerland is a bit less than twice the area of New Jersey, and the Alps dominate its geography. Almost eight million people live in Switzerland, and Bern is the capital. Parades, bonfires, and fireworks mark the day. Children can learn more at: Switzerland. They could also enjoy some Swiss cheese or some Swiss chocolate.

Benin Celebrates National Day

 Events
Aug 012024
 

Flag of Benin

Benin celebrates National Day. The country announced its independence from France in 1960. Located on the western coast of Africa, Benin is about the size of the state of Pennsylvania. The geography is mostly flat with few low mountains. Many people survive on subsistence farming, and cotton is one the the country’s major exports.  Almost ten million people live in Benin, and Porto-Novo is the capital. Children can learn more at: Benin.

Happy Birthday, Colorado!

 Events
Aug 012024
 
Colorado Flag

Colorado Flag

Colorado became the thirty-eighth state of the United States in 1876. Its nickname is the Centennial State, because it became a part of the country one hundred years after the revolution. Its name comes from a Spanish phrase meaning the color red. Early Spanish explorers in the area were impressed with the many red-colored canyons and thus called the area Colorado. People were living in the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, in the state’s southwestern corner, around 1200. When gold was discovered in 1858, the local phrase became “Pike’s Peak or Bust.” It is the eighth largest state and the 21st most populous state. Denver is the state capital, and tourism is one of the most important economic factors.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Was Established in 1916

 Events
Aug 012024
 
Holei Sea Arch Courtesy of NPS

Holei Sea Arch
Courtesy of NPS

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916. The area, encompassing 344,812 acres, includes the active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Areas of the park have had to close temporarily when the volcanoes are very active. The park, protecting unusual plants and animals, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Children can visit the park’s website at: http://www.nps.gov/havo.

Haleakala National Park Was Created in 1961

 Events
Aug 012024
 
Haleakala Silversword in Full Bloom

Haleakala Silversword in Full Bloom

Haleakala National Park was created in 1961. Carved from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Maui, this park encompasses the vast, extinct volcano crater Haleakala and the Kipahula wilderness area. The word Haleakala means the house of the sun in Hawaiian. The park, around 33,265 acres, hosts over a million visitors a year. Children can visit the park’s website at: http://www.nps.gov/hale.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Aug 012024
 

 

William Clark

William Clark

William Clark (born Caroline County, Virginia, 1770; died St. Louis, Missouri, September 1, 1838) was an explorer. He and Meriwether Lewis headed the Corps of Discovery into the Louisiana Purchase from 1804 to 1806. Later he fought in the War of 1812 and then became governor of the Missouri Territory. Children would learn a great deal from Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities by Janis Herbert.

Gail Gibbons (born Oak Park, Illinois, 1944) is a children’s author and illustrator. She has written over 170 books, including Tell Me, Tree. Children can visit her website at: Gail Gibbons.

Francis Scott Key (born Frederick County, Maryland, 1779; died Baltimore, Maryland, January 11, 1843) was a lawyer and a poet. He wrote The Star-Spangled Banner in 1814 after watching the British bombard Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Children can find out more at: Francis Scott Key.

Herman Melville (born New York, New York, 1819; died New York, New York, September 28, 1891) was a novelist. One of his best known works is Moby Dick. Children can read many of his works, including Moby Dick, at: Project Gutenberg.

Maria Mitchell (born Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1818; died Lynn, Massachusetts, June 28, 1889) was the first woman professional astronomer. She discovered a comet in 1847, and she became a professor of astronomy at Vassar. Older children can learn more at: Maria Mitchell. They could also read books by her and about her at: Project Gutenberg.

Bill Wallace (born Chickasha, Oklahoma, 1947; died Chickasha, Oklahoma, January 30, 2012) wrote 31 books for children. His works include A Dog Named Kitty and The Legend of Thunderfoot.