Oct 142024
 
Columbus

Christopher Columbus

Columbus Day is celebrated today.  President Franklin Roosevelt made Columbus Day a national holiday in 1934. The holiday was modified in 1970 to be the second Monday in October.

Indigneous Peoples’ Day is also celebrated today. It honors the cultures, histories, and struggles of Indigenous People. It is recognized as a holiday in twenty states and numerous cities. Some people celebrate it instead of or in addition to Columbus Day.

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day today. The event is always celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Oct 142024
 

Caramel Apple Pie

National Dessert Day is today! This is an easy day to celebrate! Children could list and then rank their favorite desserts. They could investigate different US regions and local desserts. They could examine recipes of relatives and then perhaps make Grandpa’s favorite dessert.

Oct 142024
 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The youngest person (at the time) to receive the award, he contributed the award money to the civil rights movement. Older children can read his acceptance speech at: King Nobel Speech.

Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Older children can read his well-written acceptance speech at: Wiesel Nobel Speech.

Oct 142024
 
Chuck Yeager and Glamorous Glennis

Chuck Yeager and the Glamorous Glennis

Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager in 1947 flew a BellX-1 airplane, the Glamorous Glennis, at Mach 1.07 over Muroc Dry Lake Bed in California. He successfully conducted the first faster than sound flying experiment.

Felix Baumgartner in 2012 jumped from a hot-air balloon at a height of 24 miles to freefall to earth. He reached a speed of 843.6 miles per hour (Mach 1.25), becoming the first person to break the sound barrier without a vehicle.

Oct 142024
 

Miriam Cohen (born Brooklyn, New York, 1926) has written over 30 books for children. Her works include Will I Have a Friend? and Don’t Eat Too Much Turkey!

E. E. Cummings (born Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1894; died North Conway, New Hampshire, September 2, 1962) was a poet. He was known for his unusual use of punctuation and capitalization. Children can read some of his work at: http://hellopoetry.com/-e-e-cummings/.

Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower (born Denison, Texas, 1890; died Washington, DC, March 28, 1969) was the thirty-fourth president (1953-1961) of the United States. During World War I, he was a tank training instructor. By the end of World War II he was a five-star general and Supreme Allied Commander. He was a popular president. The country was experiencing prosperity. The Korean War ended during his presidency. He did have to send in the military to end segregation in Little Rock, Arkansas. Children could visit a website at: Dwight Eisenhower. Idea: Children could compile some statistics as to the number of presidents who had previously been in the military.

Francis Lightfoot Lee (born Westmoreland County, Virginia, 1734; died Richmond, Virginia, January 11, 1797) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Virginia, and his brother Richard Henry Lee was also a signer. The shy and quiet Francis Lightfoot Lee persuaded Virginia to ratify the Constitution. Children could learn more at: Francis Lightfoot Lee.

Strawberry Girl

Strawberry Girl

Lois Lenski (born Springfield, Illinois, 1893; died Tarpon Springs, Florida, September 11, 1974) was a children’s author and illustrator. She earned a 1937 Newbery Honor Award for Phoebe Fairchild: Her Book and a 1942 Newbery Honor Award for Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison. She received the 1946 Newbery Award for her Strawberry Girl. She wrote and illustrated approximatley 100 books, including a series featuring Mr. Small. Children can learn more at: Lois Lenski.

William Penn (born London, United Kingdom, 1644; died Ruscombe, United Kingdom, July 30, 1718) founded Pennsylvania. His father, admiral and politician Sir William Penn, had lent a considerable amount of money to England. The King could not easily repay the debt in money. The king offered a huge land grant instead to William Penn. A Quaker, Penn made sure all inhabitants had religious freedom. He also worked to keep friendly relations with the Native Americans. Actually he spent very little time in his home on the Delaware River. Idea: Children could find out what the words Pennsylvania and Philadelphia mean. Children could learn more at: William Penn.