Indonesia celebrates Independence Day. It became free from Dutch control in 1945. About 13,700 islands comprise this archipelago, located between Asia and Australia. The total area of the islands is about three times the size of Texas. Over 251 million people live in Indonesia, making it the fourth most populous country. Jakarta is the capital. Idea: Indonesia grows cassava. Children could find out more about this crop. Older children could learn more about the country at: Indonesia.
Gabon celebrates Independence Day. It gained autonomy from France in 1960. The country, located on the western coast of Africa, is for the most part covered with rain forest. The country’s area is about the same as the area of Colorado, and about 1.6 million people live there. Libreville is the capital. Older children could learn more at: Gabon.
Robert Fulton’s first steamboat North River Steamboat, also known as the Clermont, was operated for the first time in 1807. It traveled between Albany and New York City. At first called “Fulton’s Folly,” the ship cruised the 150-mile stretch in 32 hours.
Double Eagle II landed in Miserey, France, in 1978. The balloon and its crew, Larry Newman, Ben Abruzzo, and Max Anderson, had left Presque Island, Maine, on August 11, 1978. The balloon was the first one of its kind to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, and the three balloonists instantly became heroes. Idea: Children could list the difficulties the crew faced. For example, where did they sleep? Older children can learn more at: Double Eagle II.
Davy Crockett (born Hawkins County, Tennessee, 1786; died at the Alamo, March 6, 1836) was an adventurer and a frontier fighter. He represented the state of Tennessee in the House of Representatives from March 4, 1833 to March 4, 1835. Idea: Children could make a timeline of Davy Crockett’s life. Older children could read his autobiography, A Narrative of the Life of Davy Crockett, of the State of Tennessee, at: Project Gutenberg.
Myra Cohn Livingston (born Omaha, Nebraska, 1926; died Los Angeles, California, August 23, 1996) wrote books of poetry for children. Her works include Celebrations and Sky Songs. Children can learn more at: Myra Cohn Livingston.
Geneva Grace Stratton-Porter (born near Wabash, Indiana, 1863; died Los Angeles, California, December 6, 1924) wrote books for children. She also wrote articles for magazines, and she was one of the first woman movie producers. Her books include Keeper of the Bees and A Girl of the Limberlost. Children can learn more at: Geneva Grace Stratton-Porter. Children can read many of her works at: Project Gutenberg.