Pumpkins
National Pumpkin Day is today! A pumpkin is a fruit because it contains seeds. Pumpkins are very versatile: pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin butter, and the list goes on. Many people toast and eat pumpkin seeds. Idea: Children could draw a pumpkin on a vine and write pumpkin facts on the leaves.
Flag of Austria
Austria celebrates a national day; in 1955 the country adopted a stance of permanent neutrality. A landlocked country in Europe, Austria is slightly smaller than the state of Maine, and Vienna is the capital. Not quite nine million people live in Austria. Machinery production and tourism are major sources of income. Older children can learn more at: Austria.
Map of Erie Canal
Erie Canal started operating in 1825. Construction began on July 4, 1817. It joined the Atlantic Ocean (via the Hudson River) and Lake Erie. Approximately 363 miles long, it had 36 locks. Previously goods had to be shipped by wagon and pack animals. The canal cut transportation costs by 95 percent. Children can view an excellent video at: Erie Canal.
Saturn and its Rings
Four new moons of Saturn were reported by astronomers in 2000. That made a total of 22 moons at the time. Since then the number has risen to 145. Children can participate in some great activities regarding Saturn and space in general at: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/kids/.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton (born Park Ridge, Illinois, 1947) is a lawyer, politician, and former First Lady. She was the Democratic nominee for the 2016 Presidency. She was Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. Before that she was a US senator from New York from 2001 to 2009. She is the wife of William Clinton, forty-second President of the United States; therefore, she was First Lady from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001. She graduated from Wellesley College and Yale Law School. Older children could visit a website at: Hillary Clinton.
Mahalia Jackson (born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1911; died Evergreen Park, Illinois, January 27, 1972) was a gospel singer. Eight of her records sold more than one million copies each. She never sang where liquor was served.
Steven Kellogg (born Norwalk, Connecticut, 1941) writes and illustrates books for children. He illustrated among other works The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, published in 1980. He has written and illustrated over 90 books, including the Pinkerton series. Children could visit his website at: Steven Kellogg.
Charles Pinckney (born Charleston, South Carolina, 1757; died Charleston, South Carolina, October 29, 1824) represented South Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. During the Revolutionary War, he was captured and detained on a British prison ship. He was South Carolina’s governor from 1789 to 1792 and from 1796 to 1798. He served in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Older children could learn more at: Charles Pinckney.
Eric Rohmann (born Riverside, Illinois, 1957) writes and illustrates books for children. He received a 1995 Caldecott Honor Award for Time Flies and the 2003 Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit. Children can visit his website at: Eric Rohmann.