David by Michelangelo
(detail)
International Artist Day is today! Today celebrates the contributions artists make to our society through their creations. Idea: Children could list all the artists they can think of. Then they could pick one artist and find out how that artist has made positive changes. Finally they could make their own artistic creations!
World Pasta Day is today! Historians believe pasta was made as far back as 5000 BC. The day was created in 1995 when 40 pasta producers met for the first World Pasta Congress. Idea: Children could list different types of pasta. Then they could decide on their favorite pasta and sauce.
King George III
George III became King of Great Britain in 1760. His actions probably contributed to the start of the Revolutionary War. At one point he almost abdicated. He experienced periods of dementia, and from 1811 until his death in 1820 the country was actually run by his son. Children could read Jean Fritz’s Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?
Taiwan was returned to Chinese rule in 1945 after being controlled by the Japanese for fifty years. During its reign Japan had the Taiwanese adopt the Japanese language and customs. Many young Taiwanese males served in the Japanese army during World War II. The transition back to Chinese daily life was not smooth.
Pop-Up Thermometer
Turkey Pop-Up Thermometer was patented by George Kliewer in 1966. He received Patent Number 3,280,629. Originally called the Thermally Responsive Signaling Device, the invention was modeled somewhat on indoor sprinkler systems. An outer housing is inserted into the meatiest part of the bird. An inner rod is propped up by a spring, and a pin keeps the spring from popping up. The pin, made of either metal or wax, melts at a predetermined temperature and releases the spring. The spring pushes up the inner rod, signaling that the meat has reached the desired temperature. About 30 million pop-up thermometers are sold every year. Children can learn more at: Pop-Up.
First female FBI field agents completed basic training. In 1972 Susan Lynn Roley and Joanne E. Pierce graduated from Quantico, Virginia. Today about 16 percent of FBI agents are women.
Miss Hickory
Carolyn Sherwin Bailey (born Hoosick Falls, New York, 1875; died Concord, Massachusetts, December 23, 1961) wrote books for children. She received the 1947 Newbery Medal for Miss Hickory. Children can read some of her works (but not Miss Hickory) at: Project Gutenberg.
Admiral Byrd
Richard Evelyn Byrd (born Winchester, Virginia, 1888; died Boston, Massachusetts, March 11, 1957) was an explorer. He made five treks to the Antarctic, and he was the first person to fly over both the North Pole and the South Pole.
Pablo Picasso (born Malaga, Spain, 1881; died Mougins, France, April 8, 1973) was an artist. He was probably one of the most important influences on the arts. He developed cubism, and he was a very prolific artist, creating about 50,000 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Children can view a number of his works at: Pablo Picasso.
Johann Strauss (born Vienna, Austria, 1825; died Vienna, Austria, June 3, 1899) was an Austrian composer. He was known as the “Waltz King” because he wrote almost 400 waltzes. He also composed marches, polkas, and operettas.
Stephanie S. Tolan (born Canton, Ohio, 1942) has written at least 25 books for children. Surviving the Applewhites earned a 2003 Newbery Honor Award. She also wrote Save Halloween. Children can visit her website at: Stephanie Tolan.