Boston Marathon Premiered in 1897. It was created to honor the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord. The marathon is the world’s oldest such race. Fifteen men participated that day, Patriots’ Day. Women unofficially began running in the race in 1966 and officially in 1967. In 1975 the Marathon began a wheelchair divison. Today the race attracts about 30,000 participants and 500,000 spectators. The race is still held on Patriots’ Day, but that day is now the third Monday in April.
Ingenuity became the first invention to fly on another planet in 2021. Ingenuity, also called Ginny, is a robotic helicopter that flew above the surface of Mars. It is part of NASA’s Mars 2020 Mission. It, with the robotic Perseverance rover, landed on Mars on February 18, 2021. It is equipped with sensors and two cameras. Ginny was created to send back photos and data regarding Mars. Ginny, as of April 15, 2023, had conducted 50 flights. It performed its last flight on January 18, 2024. It then sustained damaged to its rotor blade.
Jon Agee (born Nyack, New York, 1960) writes and illustrates books for children. His books include Milo’s Hat Trick and Ludlow Laughs. Children can visit his interesting website at: Jon Agee.
Sarah G. Bagley (born Candia, New Hampshire, 1806; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1889) became the first female telegraph operator on February 21, 1846. A women’s rights advocate, she also worked to make millwork safer for women. Children could read an excellent biography of her at: Sarah G. Bagley.
Lucretia Garfield
Lucretia Rudolph Garfield (born Hiram, Ohio, 1832; died South Pasadena, California, March 14, 1918) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881. She was the wife of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States. Children can visit a website at: Lucretia Garfield.
Jean Lee Latham (born Buckhannon, West Virginia, 1902; died Florida, June 13, 1995) wrote at least 34 books, mainly biographies, for children. Her book Carry On, Mr. Bowditch received the 1956 Newbery Medal.
Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman (born Newton, Massachusetts, 1721; died New Haven, Connecticut, July 23, 1793) was the only patriot to sign four of America’s most valuable documents, the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1789 to 1791 and in the Senate from 1791 to 1793. Children could read the chapter about Roger Sherman in American Revolutionaries and Founders of the Nation, by James Meisner, Jr. and Amy Ruth. Children can learn more at: Roger Sherman.
Javaka Steptoe (born New York, New York, 1971) writes and illustrates children’s books. He received the 1998 Coretta Scott King Award for In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall. Steptoe received a 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow. He also earned the 2017 Caldecott Medal for his book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Children can visit his website at: Javaka Steptoe.
Easter is today! Children might want to read The Story of the Easter Bunny, written by Katherine Tegen and wonderfully illustrated by Sally Anne Lambert. Children can find some great puzzles and activities at: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/index.html.
Marie Curie
Radium was isolated by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1902. They also isolated another new element, polonium. She, her husband, and a third scientist received the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics. She was the first woman to receive any Nobel Prize. She also won the 1911 Nobel Prize in chemistry for her extended work on radium. Radium is a radioactive element that should be handled with great care. Children could read Vicki Cobb’s DK Biography: Marie Curie.
Site of the Colony after the Battle
Ludlow Massacre happened in 1914 in Ludlow, Colorado. Striking miners were attacked by National Guardsmen. Nineteen men, women, and children were either shot to death or died in a fire. Children could read The Ludlow Massacre of 1913-1914 by Rosemary Laughlin. They could also examine some great primary resources at: https://guides.library.csupueblo.edu/ludlow.
Electron microscope was first demonstrated in 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Idea: Children could compare the electron microscope with a traditional microscope.
Daniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French (born Exeter, New Hampshire, 1850; died Stockbridge, Massachusetts, October 7, 1931) was a famous American sculptor. His most famous works include the Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts, and the seated Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. Children could learn more at: Daniel Chester French. Children could view several of his artworks at: Met.
Mary Hoffman (born England, 1945) has written over 90 books for children and teenagers. Her books include Troubadour and The Falconer’s Knot. Children can visit her website at: Mary Hoffman.
Joan Miro (born Barcelona, Spain, 1893; died Majorca, Spain, December 25, 1983) was a surrealistic painter. One of his famous works is Dutch Interior, painted in 1928. Children could view a number of his works at: Joan Miro.
John Paul Stevens
John Paul Stevens (born Chicago, Illinois, 1920; died Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 16, 2019) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court. He was nominated by Gerald Ford in 1975. He retired June 29, 2010. Idea: Children could research the process whereby a person becomes a Supreme Court justice. Is there a term limit for the justices? Should there be a term limit? Children could learn more about him at: John Paul Stevens.
Coliseum
Rome was born in 753 BC. Over two million people live in Rome. It is the home of numerous famous sites, including the Coliseum, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Pantheon. Idea: Children could prepare a travel brochure about Rome. The website http://www.neok12.com/Ancient-Rome.htm has some great videos, but they must be previewed for content.
Battle of San Jacinto occurred in 1836 in Texas. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his 1,200 soldiers attacked General Sam Houston and his 910 men. The Texans retreated but then caught the Mexicans in surprise. In less than one half hour, the Texans won. As a result of this battle, Texas won its independence from Mexico. Children could read Journey to San Jacinto (Mr. Barrington’s Mysterious Trunk) by Melodie A. Cuate. Children could also learn more at: San Jacinto.