Cook Islands Celebrate Constitution Day

 Events
Aug 042024
 

Flag of Cook Islands

Cook Islands celebrate Constitution Day. In 1965 the populace approved a constitution that gives them autonomy in free association with New Zealand. The area of the fifteen islands is about 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC. The northern islands are coral atolls, and the southern islands are vestiges of volcanic activity. About 10,500 people live there, mostly on the southern islands. The capital is Avarua. The islands are named after Captain James Cook, who saw one of the islands in 1793. Children could learn more at: Cook Islands.

Phoenix Was Launched by NASA in 2007

 Events
Aug 042024
 
Artist's Conception of Phoenix on Surface of Mars

Artist’s Conception of Phoenix on Surface of Mars

Phoenix was launched by NASA in 2007. The spacecraft landed on a polar region of Mars on May 25, 2008, and conducted tests on water and surface chemistry until November 2, 2008. Then the Martian winter set in, and the fragile equipment could no longer send data.  Children could learn more at: Phoenix.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Aug 042024
 

Laurence Anholt (born London, United Kingdom, 1959) has written and/or illustrated more than 200 books translated into 30 languages. He often works with his wife, Catherine Anholt. Their works include Camille and the Sunflowers and Stone Girl Bone Girl. Children can visit their website at: Laurence Anholt.

Louis Armstrong (born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1901; died New York, New York, 1971) was an influential jazz musician. Also called Satchmo, he played the trumpet. He appeared in several movies, including Hello, Dolly. Children may want to read Patricia McKissack’s Louis Armstrong: Jazz Musician. Children can learn more at: Louis Armstrong.

Joyce McDonald (born San Francisco, California, 1946) writes books for young adults. Her works include Mail-Order Kid and Shadow People. Young adults can visit her website at: Joyce McDonald.

President_Barack_Obama

President Barack Obama

Barack Obama (born Honolulu, Hawaii, 1961) was the 44th President (2009-2017) of the United States. He was a member of the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2003, and he was a United States senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008. Children can learn more at: Barack Obama.

Percy Bysshe Shelley (born Sussex, England, 1792; drowned during a storm near Leghorn, Italy, July 8, 1822) was a lyric poet. One of his best known works is Prometheus Unbound. Young adults could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Raoul Wallenberg (born Stockholm, Sweden, 1912; presumed dead Soviet Union, July 17, 1947) was an architect. However, he is most remembered for saving 100,000 Jews from Nazi extermination during World War II. Wallenberg was arrested by the Soviets in Hungary in 1945. His arrest and death have not been fully explained.