Thomas Stone
Thomas Stone died in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1787. He was born in Charles County, Maryland, sometime in 1743. Representing Maryland, he signed the Declaration of Independence. He also served on the committee that wrote the Articles of Confederation. He did not attend the Constitutional Convention because his wife was very ill. She died in June 1787, and he died four months later. Children could learn more at: Thomas Stone.
Babe Ruth played in the World Series for the Yankees
World Series was broadcast on radio for the first time in 1921. The New York Giants ultimately beat the New York Yankees in a best of nine games series. The games were broadcast through Pittsburgh’s KDKA.
President Harry Truman made the first telecast speech from the White House in 1947. He asked citizens of the United States to eat no meat on Tuesdays, no eggs or chickens on Thursdays, and to eat one slice of bread less per day so that food could be sent to Europe. That continent’s food production had been greatly reduced because of World War II.
Public Broadcasting Service came into being in 1970. Today 354 member stations exist.
Chester Alan Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur (born Fairfield, Vermont, 1830; died New York, New York, November 18, 1886) was the twenty-first president (1881-1885) of the United States. He became president after James A. Garfield was killed. During his presidency, even his own party was not happy with him. He was not renominated in 1884. Children could visit a website at: Chester A. Arthur. Idea: Children could find out why Arthur was not renominated.
Carson Ellis (born Vancouver, Canada, 1975) writes and illustrates books for children. She wrote and illustrated Du Iz Tak? The book earned her a 2017 Caldecott Honor Award. She illustrated the Mysterious Benedict Society books.
Goddard and an Early Rocket
Robert Hutchings Goddard (born Worcester, Massachusetts, 1882; died Baltimore, Maryland, August 10, 1945) is known as the “Father of the Space Age.” He was taunted because he thought space travel was a real possibility. He designed and launched a liquid fuel powered rocket in 1926. Idea: Children could find out how today’s rockets are fueled. Older children could see how today’s rockets are fueled at: Aluminum.
Louise Fitzhugh (born Memphis, Tennessee, 1928; died Bridgewater, Connecticut, November 19, 1974) was a children’s author. She wrote, among other works, Harriet the Spy, published in 1964.
Bil Keane (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1922; died Paradise Valley, Arizona, November 8, 2011) was a cartoonist. He created “Family Circus.” Currently his son Jeff carries on the family tradition.
David Shannon (born Washington, DC, 1960) has written and illustrated at least 35 books for children. He received the 1998 Caldecott Medal for No, David! Children can “read” his picture book A Bad Case of Stripes with Sean Astin at: http://www.storylineonline.net/
Gene Zion (born New York, New York, 1913; died New York, New York, December 5, 1975) wrote books for children. He often collaborated with his wife, Margaret Bloy Graham. Their works include Harry the Dirty Dog and Dear Garbage Man. Children can “read” Harry the Dirty Dog with Betty White at: http://www.storylineonline.net/harry-the-dirty-dog/.