United Nations Flag
World Habitat Day is today! Sponsored by the United Nations, the day occurs on the first Monday in October. The day reminds us of the right to adequate shelter. It also celebrates towns and cities. This year’s theme is Urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery. The first celebration began in 1986 with a conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
Flag of Guinea
Guinea celebrates Independence Day. France relinquished control in 1958. Located in western Africa, the land was the site of ancient caravan routes. The country is slightly bigger than the state of Utah, and Conakry is the capital. About eleven million people live in Guinea. Children could learn more at: Guinea.
Camel
Camel first appeared in the United States in Boston in 1721. It stood seven feet high and twelve feet long. Children could learn some interesting facts about camels at: Camel Facts.
Do you see the two red dots at the bottom? Each dot is a hiker!
Redwood National and State Parks were created in 1968. Located along the northern coast of California, the parks encompass over 100,000 acres and preserve the remaining giant redwood trees. Children could visit the park’s website at: Redwood.
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was sworn into the Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African American Supreme Court Justice. He retired on June 27, 1991. Idea: Children learn more at: Thurgood Marshall. They could find out how Supreme Court Justices are appointed. Children could also read Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary by Juan Williams.
Jeanne Betancourt (born Burlington, Vermont, 1941) writes books for children. She is best known for her Pony Pals series. Children can visit her website at: Jeanne Betancourt.
Charlie Brown and Snoopy (born 1950) are the creations of Charles Schulz. Their last comic strip was published on February 13, 2000.
The Pot that Juan Built
David Diaz (born Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1960) has illustrated at least 35 books for children and has received many awards. He earned a 1997 Jane Addams Award for Wilma Unlimited, the 1995 Caldecott Medal for Smoky Night, a Pura Belpre Honor Award in 2004 for The Pot that Juan Built, a Pura Belpre Honor Award in 2006 for César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!, and a Pura Belpre Honor Award in 2010 for Diego: Bigger Than Life.
Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi (born Porbandar, India, 1869; died New Delhi, India, January 30, 1948) led India’s fight for independence from Great Britain. Trained as a lawyer in England, Gandhi stressed the use of nonviolence. He was assassinated in his garden by a Hindu who resented Gandhi’s views about Moslems. Children could read Demi’s book, Gandhi.
Groucho Marx (born Julius Henry Marx in New York, New York, 1890; died Los Angeles, California, August 19, 1977) was an actor. He and his brothers formed the Marx Brothers. Two of their most famous movies are Animal Crackers, produced in 1930, and Duck Soup, premiering in 1933. He was also the host of an early television show, You Bet Your Life.
Dirk Zimmer (born Goslar, Germany, 1943; died Poughkeepsie, New York, September 26, 2008) illustrated children’s books. His works include In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories and Weird Wolf.
Alfred Nobel
Nobel Prizes will be announced this week.
The Nobel Prize in Medicine will be announced on Monday.
The Nobel Prize in Physics will be announced Tuesday.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be announced Wednesday.
The Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced Thursday.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday.
The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on Monday, October 12.
Flag of Germany
Germany celebrates Unity Day. East Germany and West Germany had been two separate countries for 45 years. When they combined in 1990, they took West Germany’s name, the Federal Republic of Germany. Slightly smaller than the state of Montana, Germany has a temperate climate. Over 81 million people live there, and Berlin is the capital. Children could learn more at: Germany.
Frank Robinson in 1974 became the first African American to be hired as a major league baseball team manager. He was the only player to be selected most valuable player by both the National League and the American League. He was hired to manage the Cleveland Indians. Children could learn more at: Frank Robinson.
Captain Kangaroo premiered on television on CBS in 1955. The show ended in 1984.
Mickey Mouse Club began its first season on ABC also in 1955. The original series ended in 1960, but it was revamped in 1977 to 1979 and again in 1989 to 1996.