Fraunces Tavern
George Washington said goodbye to his officers at the Fraunces Tavern in New York City in 1783. Fraunces Tavern is now part museum and part restaurant. Children can read the text of his speech at: Farewell Speech.
Dec 042024
Dec 042024
Mary Celeste was found abandoned in 1872. The ship had left New York on November 5, 1872. The crew of another ship, the Dei Gratia, observed that she was floating aimlessly near the coast of Portugal. Members of the Dei Gratia crew boarded her on December 4 and found no people and no sign of violence. The captain and his family, the crew, and a lifeboat and navigation instruments were missing, but the ship and cargo were in excellent shape. The mystery of the Mary Celeste has yet to be solved. Children could read The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Older children could read more at: Mary Celeste.
Dec 042024
George Ancona (born New York, 1929; died Santa Fe, New Mexico, January 1, 2021) was a photographer, author, and illustrator of over 100 children’s books. ¡Ole! Flamenco was a 2011 Pura Belpré Award Honor Book for Author, and Bario: José’s Neighborhood was a 2000 Pura Belpré Honor Book. Children can learn more at: George Ancona.
Bruce Hiscock (born San Diego, California, 1940; died Porter Corners, New York, July 11, 2021) wrote and illustrated books for children. He specialized in books about nature. His works include Ookpik – The Travels of a Snowy Owl and Coyote and Badger – Desert Hunters of the Southwest.
Munro Wilbur Leaf (born Hamilton, Maryland, 1905; died Garrett Park, Maryland, December 21, 1976) was a children’s author and illustrator. His credits include cartoons and around 40 books. One of his works is The Story of Ferdinand, published in 1936. Very interesting fact – Ferdinand was considered by some to be subversive and was banned in Nazi Germany. Older children could read the classic The Story of Ferdinand to younger children. Children can learn more at: Munro Wilbur Leaf.
Dec 052024
United Nations Flag
World Soil Day is today! The day reminds us of the importance of healthy soil and its role in promoting a healthy earth. It was initiated by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations on December 5, 2013. This year’s theme is Soil and Water: A Source of Life. Idea: Children could dig up some soil and look for plant remains and animals. They could also investigate how to compost.
Dec 052024
United Nations Flag
United Nations declares today as International Volunteer Day. This year’s theme is Volunteering Is Empathy in Action. Children could volunteer to help around the community. They could consider picking up litter or building bird feeders. Children could learn more at: Volunteer.
Dec 052024
Amendment Twenty-One to the Constitution was adopted in 1933, repealing Amendment Eighteen and ending Prohibition.
Dec 052024
Empty Bus during Montgomery Bus Boycott
Montgomery Bus Boycott began in 1955. Following Rosa Parks’s arrest on December 1, 1955, African Americans boycotted buses until December 20, 1956. A Supreme Court ruling forced the integration of the bus system. Children could learn more at: Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Dec 052024
Mars Surface
Pathfinder was launched toward Mars in 1996. The craft traveled for 211 days and 309 million miles to reach the surface of Mars on July 4, 1997. A small rover named Sojourner (named after Sojourner Truth) traveled about the surface and analyzed rocks and the surface of the planet. The two vehicles (both significantly outliving scientific estimates) sent back 2.3 billion bits of data before transmissions stopped on September 27, 1997. Children can view some of the images of Mars at: Pathfinder.
Dec 052024
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer (born New Rumley, Ohio, 1839; died Little Bighorn, Montana Territory, June 25, 1876) was an army officer. He became famous during the Civil War for being fearless. After the war, he joined a regiment fighting the Indians in Montana Territory. On June 25, 1876, he found an Indian village that he thought housed about one thousand warriors. However, the number of warriors probably exceeded two thousand. Custer and about 210 soldiers attacked immediately. Every soldier was killed, and the battle became known as “Custer’s Last Stand.” Children could read Dennis Brindell Fradin’s book, Custer’s Last Stand (Turning Points In U. S. History).
Walt Disney
Walt(er Elias) Disney (born Chicago, Illinois, 1901; died Los Angeles, California, December 15, 1966) was a cartoonist and empire builder. He invented Mickey Mouse and all the animal’s friends. Disney produced a number of animated movies, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942). He also produced live action movies and television programs. Disneyland opened in 1955, and Disney World began operations in 1971. Children could have a Disney Day. They could wear Disney shirts and share Disney books.
Bill Pickett (born Jenks-Branch, Texas, 1870; died Ponca City, Oklahoma, April 2, 1932) was an African American cowboy and rodeo star. Children can read more about his life at: Bill Pickett.
Christina Georgina Rossetti (born London, England, 1830; died London, England, December 29, 1894) was a poet. One of her most well known collections appropriate for children is Goblin Market and Other Poems, published in 1872. Children can read her works at: Project Gutenberg.
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren (born Kinderhook, New York, 1782; died Kinderhook, New York, July 24, 1862) was the eighth president (1837-1841) of the United States. The first president not to live during the Revolutionary War, he was nicknamed “The Little Magician.” He was a lawyer and Andrew Jackson’s vice president before he was elected president. Van Buren’s presidency had quite a few conflicts. The North disliked his views regarding slavery, and the South was not happy when he would not annex Texas. The Panic of 1837 caused a severe depression nation-wide. Children could visit a website at: Martin Van Buren. Children could find out why he was called “The Little Magician” at: The Little Magician.
Hugh Williamson (born Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1735; died New York, New York, May 22, 1819) represented North Carolina at the Continental Congress and at the Constitutional Convention. During his lifetime he was a minister, physician, scientist, and lawmaker. From 1789 to 1793 he represented North Carolina in the House of Representatives. Older children could learn more at: Hugh Williamson.
Dec 062024
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated by children in Central and Northern Europe. Dutch children fill their shoes with hay the night before. Treats can be found in the shoes the next day.