Discovery of Extrasolar Planets Announced in 1994

 Events
Apr 212025
 

First discovery of extrasolar planets (now called exoplanets) was announced in 1994. As of mid-April, 2024, NASA announced that data from the Kepler Space Observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other instruments had located 5,612 exoplanets. Scientists have observed another 10,170 exoplanets yet to be confirmed. In addition, experts have found 4,175 planetary systems. Children could learn more at the NASA site, especially the Interactives Tab, at: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 212025
 

Charlotte Bronte (born Hartshead, Yorkshire, England, 1816; died Haworth, Yorkshire, England, March 31, 1855) was a novelist, best known for Jane Eyre. She wrote three other novels. Children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg.

Queen Elizabeth II (born London, United Kingdom, 1926; died Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom, September 8, 2022) served as the monarch of the United Kingdom for over 70 years. During her tenure she worked with fifteen Prime Ministers, fourteen US Presidents, and seven Popes. She has stated, “Change has become a constant. Managing it has become an expanding discipline. The way we embrace it defines our future.”

John Muir (born Dunbar, Scotland, 1838; died Los Angeles, California, December 24, 1914) was a naturalist and writer. He helped establish Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. He started the Sierra Club, and Muir Woods was dedicated to him in 1908. Children can read some of his writings at: Project Gutenberg. Children can learn more about Muir at: John Muir.

Barbara Park (born Mount Holly, New Jersey, 1947; died Scottsdale, Arizona, November 15, 2013) was a children’s author. She was the author of the Junie B. Jones books. Children can visit a website at: http://juniebjones.com/.

Jane Breskin Zalben (born New York, New York, 1950) has written and illustrated at least 50 books for children and young adults. Her books include Mousterpiece and Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World. Children can visit her website at: Jane Breskin Zalben.

Earth Day Is Today!

 Events
Apr 222025
 

live todayBird feedersEarth Day is today! This year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet.  The original theme was Invest in Our Planet. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970. Today is a good day to plant trees or clean up litter or build a compost pile or make a bird house or…Children could learn more at: Earth Day. Children could also read Earth Day – Hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy. The book incorporates some great math concepts with an emphasis on the environment.

Oklahoma Land Rush – 1889

 Events
Apr 222025
 
File:Oklahoma Land Rush.jpg

Oklahoma Land Rush

Oklahoma Land Rush began at twelve noon 1889 when the government opened 1,900,000 acres of land bought from the Creek and Seminole Indians. People raced to obtain the best plots of land. By evening 50,000 people had established home sites in the region. Children could learn more at an excellent primary resource: Land Rush. They could also research the differences between a “sooner” and a “boomer.”

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 222025
 

Eileen Christelow (born Washington, DC, 1943) has written and illustrated at least 31 books for children. Her works include the Five Little Monkeys series and Where’s the Big Bad Wolf. Children can visit her very interesting website at: http://www.christelow.com/.

Paula Fox (born New York, New York, 1923; died Brooklyn, New York, March 1, 2017) wrote about 20 books for children. One of her books, The Slave Dancer, earned the 1974 Newbery Medal. She received the very prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1978 for her body of works.

Yehudi Menuhin (born New York, New York, 1916; died Berlin, Germany, March 12, 1999) was a renowned violinist. Idea: Children could find out how a violin makes sounds.

National Picnic Day

 Events
Apr 232025
 

National Picnic Day is today! Today is as good as any day to go for a picnic. Where is your perfect picnic spot? What are your favorite picnic foods?

William Shakespeare’s Birthday May Be Today!

 Events
Apr 232025
 
William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare’s birthday may be today! Experts believe he was born in Stratford-on-Avon, England, in 1564, and died in Stratford-on-Avon, England, on April 23, 1616. He is one of the most famous poets and playwrights. His works are among the most quoted in the world. He wrote almost forty plays and over 150 sonnets. Famous works include Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

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