Flag of Malaysia
Malaysia celebrates Independence Day, granted from the United Kingdom in 1957. The country, located in Southeast Asia, has an area about equal to the area of New Mexico. The country has two main portions: part of the peninsula shared by Thailand and the northern portion of Borneo. Almost 30 million people live in this tropical country. The capital is Kuala Lumpur. Children could learn more at: Malaysia.
Flag of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago celebrate Independence Day. The two islands located off the northeastern coast of South America became free of British rule in 1962. The combined area is about the same as the area of Delaware, and over 1.2 million people live there. Port of Spain is the capital. The islands export petroleum, cocoa, and sugar. Older children can learn more at: Trinidad and Tobago.
Flag of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan celebrates Independence Day. Kyrgyzstan became free of Soviet rule in 1991. This landlocked country, located in eastern central Asia, has an area about equal to the area of South Dakota. Most of the country is covered with mountains. About 5.5 million people live in Kyrgyzstan, and Bishkek is the capital. Older children can learn more at: Kyrgyzstan.
John Blair died in 1800 in Williamsburg, Virginia. His exact date of birth (probably in 1732) is unknown. He represented Virginia at the Constitutional Convention and then served on the first United States Supreme Court from 1789 to 1796. Children can learn more at: John Blair.
Charleston Earthquake
Charleston, South Carolina, experienced a major earthquake (measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale) in 1886. The first major earthquake recorded in the eastern United States, it killed about one hundred people. The people of Charleston found unique ways to repair damage to their homes. Idea: Children could find out how and why earthquakes occur at the very interesting USGS site at: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/.
Conrad Buff II (born Speicher, Switzerland, 1886; died Laguna Hills, Calfiornia, March 11, 1975) wrote and illustrated fourteen books with his wife, Mary Buff. Theiy received a Caldecott Honor Award in 1943 for Dash and Dart. They received three Newbery Honor Awards: in 1947 for The Big Tree, in 1952 for The Apple and the Arrow, and in 1954 for Magic Maize.
Alan Jay Lerner (born New York, New York, 1918; died New York, New York, June 14, 1986) was a lyricist. He teamed with Frederick Lowe on many musicals, including My Fair Lady and Camelot.
Kenneth Oppel (born Canada, 1967) has written at least 35 books for children and young adults. His books include the Silverwing saga and the Airborn series. Young adults can visit his website at: Kenneth Oppel.
Itzhak Perlman (born Tel Aviv, Israel, 1945) is a famous violinist.
Deborah Kogan Ray (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1940) has written at least seventeen books for children. She has also illustrated at least 60 books for children written by other authors. Her books include Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Loved to Draw and Paiute Princess: The Story of Sarah Winnemucca. Children can visit her website at: Deborah Kogan Ray.