Birthdays

 Birthdays
Mar 152025
 

Barbara Cohen (Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1932; died November 29, 1992) wrote books for children. Her most famous book is Molly’s Pilgrim. She received the 1980 Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award. Children could learn more at: Barbara Cohen.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (born Brooklyn, New York, 1933; died Washington, DC, September 18, 2020) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. She was the second woman to hold the office. She took the oath of office August 13, 1993 and remained on the bench until she died. Children could read No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Nancy Zhang. Older children could learn more at: Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson (born Waxhaw, South Carolina, 1767; died Nashville, Tennessee, June 8, 1845) was the seventh president (1829-1837) of the United States. He was nicknamed “Old Hickory” after his leadership in the War of 1812, especially in the Battle of New Orleans. He was the first president to be born in a log cabin, the first to travel by train, and the first to survive an assassination attempt. While he was not a polished man, he did care about the country’s economy and was able to pay off the entire federal debt. Children could visit a website at: Andrew Jackson.

Ruth White (born Whitewood, Virginia, 1942; died Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, June 8, 2017) wrote at least twelve books for children. Her books include Little Audrey and Sweet Creek Holler. She received a 1997 Newbery Honor Award for Belle Prater’s Boy.

Robert Goddard Fired the First Liquid-fueled Rocket in 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts

 Events
Mar 162025
 

Robert Goddard fired the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Prior to this launch, only solid-fueled propellents had been constructed. His work regarding different fuels and rockets became the foundation of America’s space program. Older children can see how liquid-fueled rockets work at: http://science.howstuffworks.com/rocket5.htm.

Gemini VIII Was the First Spacecraft to Dock with Another Craft, the Agena, in 1966

 Events
Mar 162025
 

Gemini VIII was the first spacecraft to dock with another craft, the Agena, in 1966. The Agena gave astronauts David R. Scott and Neil Armstrong practice docking with other vehicles. These experiments prepared astronauts for lunar missions. The docking was anything but smooth. Children can read about the docking at: Gemini VIII.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Mar 162025
 

William Blount (Born Bertie, County, North Carolina, 1749; died Knoxville, Tennessee, March 21, 1800) represented North Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. Children can learn more at: William Blount.

George Clymer (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1739; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1813) was an American patriot. He was one of six men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Later he served as a representative from Pennsylvania during the first term of the House of Representatives. Children can learn more at: George Clymer.

Sid Fleischman (born Brooklyn, New York, 1920; died Santa Monica, California, March 17, 2010) wrote at least 35 books for children. He received the 1987 Newbery Medal for The Whipping Boy. Another one of his excellent books is By the Great Horn Spoon! His son is writer Paul Fleischman. Children can visit a website devoted to him at: Sid Fleischman. In 2003 the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators honored Fleischman by creating the Sid Fleischman Humor Award, rewarding authors who incorporate laughter into their books. Fleischman received the first award in 2003. Children can learn more about the award and the recipients at: Sid Fleischman Award. Children could read a biography of Fleischman and learn more about the Sid Fleischman Award by reading Children’s Book Award Handbook, by Diana F. Marks.

Caroline Lucretia Herschel (born Hanover, Germany, 1750; died Hanover, Germany, January 9. 1848) was an astronomer. Sister of famous astronomer William Herschel, she became a well-regarded astronomer in her own right. She was the first woman to discover a comet (comet 35-P/Herschel-Rigollet). She also produced Catalogue of Stars, an index of all stars that had been observed and cataloged. Children could learn more at: Caroline Lucretia Herschel. They could also read Caroline’s Comets by Emily Arnold McCully.

Eric P. Kelly (born Amesbury, Massachusetts, 1884; died January 3, 1960) was a journalist and writer of children’s books. He wrote at least fifteen books, and his book The Trumpeter of Krakow received the 1929 Newbery Medal.

James Madison

James Madison

James Madison (born Port Conway, Virginia, 1751; died Montpelier, Virginia, June 28, 1836) was the fourth president (1809-1817) of the United States. He is known as the “Father of the Constitution” because he continually pushed and pulled the delegates into meeting and resolving differences. He also wrote the first draft of the Bill of Rights. He was a Congressperson for four terms. While he was president, he had to contend with the War of 1812. Children could visit a website at: James Madison. They could read Jean Fritz’s The Great Little Madison.

File:Pat nixon.jpg

Patricia Nixon

Thelma Catherine Patricia Ryan Nixon (born Ely, Nevada, 1912; died Park Ridge, New Jersey, June 22, 1993) was America’s First Lady from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974. She was the wife of Richard M. Nixon, thirty-seventh president of the United States. She met Nixon when she was teaching in Whittier, California. During World War II, she worked as a government economist. Children could visit a website at: Pat Nixon.

Georg Simon Ohm (born Erlangen, Germany, 1787; died Munich, Germany, July 6, 1854) was a physicist. He originated Ohm’s Law. The ohm, a measure of electrical resistance, honors him. Children could find out more about Ohm’s Law and electrical resistance. They could learn more at: Georg Simon Ohm.

Saint Patrick’s Day

 Events
Mar 172025
 

Saint Patrick’s Day remembers the death of Bishop Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Bishop Patrick was born circa AD 389 and died circa AD 461. Born in England, he brought Christianity to Ireland. Little is really known about his life. Children could read St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons. They could also write stories that include leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold. They could also wear green and eat green fruits and vegetables.

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