“Happy New Year!” in Different Languages

 Events
Dec 312024
 

New Year’s Eve is today! Perhaps children would like to say “Happy New Year” in different languages?

Bonne Année – French

Godt Nyt Ar – Norwegian

Ein glückliches neues Jahr – German

Feliz año Nuevo – Spanish

Felice Anno Nuovo – Italian

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda – Welsh

Bonan Novjaron – Esperanto

Szczesliwego Nowego Roku – Polish

честита нова година – Bulgarian

New Year’s Eve is celebrated by many cultures around the world. One good source of information about ways the evening is celebrated is: New Year. Younger children could read The Night Before New Year’s, written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Amy Wummer.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Was Established in 1937

 Events
Dec 312024
 

Whooping Cranes

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937. Located in Texas along the San Antonio Bay and the Gulf Coast, the refuge is a 115,324-acre area that boasts over 400 species of migratory and resident birds. Aransas is the only US winter home of endangered whooping cranes. Sea turtles, butterflies, javelina, alligators, and wildflowers are just a few of the flora and fauna species harbored in Aransas. Children can learn more at: Aransas.

Panama Gained Control of Panama Canal in 1999

 Events
Dec 312024
 

Panama gained possession of the Panama Canal Zone from the United States at noon in 1999. The United States had controlled the  Panama Canal Zone as of February 26, 1904. The treaty allowed the United States to own the canal into perpetuity. However, from 1979 to 1999, the canal was controlled by both the United States and Panama. Children can learn more about the canal and its transfer at: Panama Canal.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Dec 312024
 

Margery Cuyler (born Princeton, New Jersey, 1948) has written at least 35 picture books, four novels, and three nonfiction books for children. Her works include the classic That’s Good! That’s Bad! and The Little Dump Truck.

George Catlett Marshall

George Catlett Marshall (born Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 1880; died Washington, DC, October 16, 1959) was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during World War II. Following the war, he was the country’s secretary of state. He was the designer of the Marshall Plan, a way to help get war-torn Europe back on its feet. He received the 1953 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in carrying out the Marshall Plan. He was the only United States general to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Henri-Emile-Benoit Matisse (born Le Cateau, Picardy, France, 1869; died Nice, France, November 3, 1954) was an artist. He was a part of the fauve movement. He did not attempt to paint in a realistic style. He used bright colors and bold strokes. Children could visit a website at: Henri Matisse. They could also read A Bird or Two: A Story about Henri Matisse, by Bijou Le Tord. They could see some of Matisse’s work, and they could try to imitate his style.

Cynthia Leitich Smith (born Kansas City, Missouri, 1967) writes books for children. Because she was born into the Muskogee Creek Nation, her writing concentrates on the experiences of Native Americans . Her works include Jingle Dancer and Blessed. Children can learn more at: Cynthia Leitich Smith.