Birthdays

 Birthdays
Aug 042025
 

Laurence Anholt (born London, United Kingdom, 1959) has written and/or illustrated more than 200 books translated into 30 languages. He often works with his wife, Catherine Anholt. Their works include Camille and the Sunflowers and Stone Girl Bone Girl. Children can visit their website at: Laurence Anholt.

Louis Armstrong (born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1901; died New York, New York, 1971) was an influential jazz musician. Also called Satchmo, he played the trumpet. He appeared in several movies, including Hello, Dolly. Children may want to read Patricia McKissack’s Louis Armstrong: Jazz Musician. Children can learn more at: Louis Armstrong.

Joyce McDonald (born San Francisco, California, 1946) writes books for young adults. Her works include Mail-Order Kid and Shadow People. Young adults can visit her website at: Joyce McDonald.

President_Barack_Obama

President Barack Obama

Barack Obama (born Honolulu, Hawaii, 1961) was the 44th President (2009-2017) of the United States. He was a member of the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2003, and he was a United States senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008. Children can learn more at: Barack Obama.

Percy Bysshe Shelley (born Sussex, England, 1792; drowned during a storm near Leghorn, Italy, July 8, 1822) was a lyric poet. One of his best known works is Prometheus Unbound. Young adults could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Raoul Wallenberg (born Stockholm, Sweden, 1912; presumed dead Soviet Union, July 17, 1947) was an architect. However, he is most remembered for saving 100,000 Jews from Nazi extermination during World War II. Wallenberg was arrested by the Soviets in Hungary in 1945. His arrest and death have not been fully explained.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert Landed on Newfoundland in 1583

 Events
Aug 052025
 

Sir Humphrey Gilbert landed on Newfoundland in 1583 and claimed the land around St. John’s harbor for England. His ship, the HMS Squirrel, sank in a storm near the Azores while he was trying to return to England. Idea: Children could figure out how historians know what he did if his ship sank before he reached England.

First Traffic Light Was Installed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914

 Events
Aug 052025
 

First traffic light in the country was installed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. James Hoge received patent #1,251,666 for his “Municipal Traffic Control System.” Four pairs of red and green lights were wired to a manually controlled system. Children could view the patent at: Traffic Light.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Aug 052025
 
Armstrong on the Moon

Armstrong on the Moon

Neil Alden Armstrong (born Wapakoneta, Ohio, 1930; died Cincinnati, Ohio, August 25, 2012) was an astronaut and the first person to walk on the moon. Children can learn more at: Neil Armstrong.

Robert Bright (born Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1902; died San Francisco, California, November 21, 1988) wrote and illustrated children’s books. He is best known for his Georgie the Ghost series.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. (born Prince George’s Parish, South Carolina, 1749; died 1779) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented South Carolina. His father was supposed to also sign the Declaration of Independence, but he became too ill. After the younger Lynch left Philadelphia, he became sick. He and his wife decided to take an ocean voyage to improve his health. They were lost at sea in late 1779. Children could learn more at: Thomas Lynch, Jr..

Guy de Maupassant (born Normandy, France, 1850; died Paris, France, July 6, 1893) was a famous short story writer. He wrote at least 250 stories, including The Diamond Necklace, and several novels. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Maud Petersham (born Kingston, New York, 1890; died Ravenna, Ohio, November 29, 1971) was, with her husband Miska, an early pioneer in children’s literature. They illustrated more than 60 books written by other authors. Then they began writing and illustrating their own works (about 100 books). They received a 1942 Caldecott Honor Award for An American ABC and then the 1946 Caldecott Medal for The Rooster Crows. Children could learn more at: Maud Petersham.

Ruth Sawyer (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1880; died Lexington, Massachusetts, June 3, 1970) wrote children’s books. She received the 1937 Newbery Medal for Roller Skates. Kate Seredy earned a 1945 Caldecott Award for her illustrations of Sawyer’s book Christmas Anna Angel. Sawyer’s son-in-law, Robert McCloskey, received a 1954 Caldecott Honor Award for his illustrations in her book, Journey Cake, Ho!. She earned the 1965 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her body of works. Children can learn more at: Ruth Sawyer.

Bolivia Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Aug 062025
 

Flag of Bolivia

Bolivia celebrates Independence Day. A landlocked country in South America, Bolivia gained its freedom from Spain in 1825. La Paz is the capital, and at one time the region was under Inca control. Although the country is presently bigger than the state of Texas, it was once much larger. Parts of the country were sold, and parts were given away as spoils of war. Its natural resources include silver, tin, oil, and natural gas. About 11.7 million people live in the country. Children can learn more at: Bolivia.

Jamaica Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Aug 062025
 

Flag of Jamaica

Jamaica celebrates Independence Day. It became free from Great Britain in 1962, but Jamaica remains a part of the British Commonwealth. Located in the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is about the size of Connecticut. This mountainous island has a tropical climate. Almost three million people live there, and tourism is an important industry. Kingston is the capital. Children could learn more at: Jamaica.

Sandwich Was Invented in 1762

 Events
Aug 062025
 
A Tasty Sandwich

A Tasty Sandwich

Sandwich was invented in 1762 by John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. Stories conflict as to why he invented the sandwich. One tale states he loved to gamble, and he did not want to miss the gambling when he got hungry. The other version indicates he was a very dedicated man, and he did not want to turn away from his work when he got hungry. Experts believe the most popular sandwich in the United States is grilled cheese. Children could poll their friends regarding their favorite sandwiches.

Constitutional Convention Began in 1787

 Events
Aug 062025
 

flagConstitutional Convention met from August 6 to September 10, 1787. This Philadelphia meeting was called the “Great Debate,” and the purpose was to draft a constitution. Idea: Children could read Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution, written by Jean Fritz. Older children could learn about the members at an EXCELLENT site: Framers.

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