Today is Labor Day, a holiday and the unofficial end to summer. The holiday was probably first observed in 1882 in New York City by the Carpenters and Joiners Union. The holiday grew in popularity, and over half the states were celebrating Labor Day by 1893. President Grover Cleveland made it a legal holiday in 1894. Children can learn more at: Labor Day.
World Beach Day
World Beach Day is today! The day reminds us that the beach is a necessary part of the world’s ecosystem. We must protect the beach, keep it clean, and encourage beach plant and animal growth. Birds, mammals, crustaceans, and insects thrive on beaches. Sea turtles nest on beaches. Many plants live in the dunes and slightly beyond. Children can visit a great site: Beaches.
Flag of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan celebrates Independence Day. This doubly landlocked country withdrew from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1991. Steppes and deserts are major land features of this country, with an area about the same as the area of California. Over 28 million people live in Uzbekistan, and Tashkent is the capital. Older children can learn more at: Uzbekistan.
Flag of Slovakia
Slovakia celebrates Constitution Day. Its constitution was ratified in 1992 and took effect January 1, 1993. This landlocked country’s area is about twice the size of the area of New Hampshire. About 5.5 million people live in Slovakia, and Bratislava is the capital. Older children could learn more at: Slovakia.
Martha the Last Passenger Pigeon
Martha, the last passenger pigeon, died in 1914. Named after Martha Washington, this bird lived for about 29 years in the Cincinnati Zoo. Some experts believe that between three and five billion passenger pigeons once lived in North America. However, destruction of its environment and large-scale hunting brought an end to the species. Older children could learn more at: Martha.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) became available to schools in 1983. Today about 75 percent of all United States schools use D.A.R.E., and 44 other countries are also trying it. Adults can visit the website at: http://www.dare.org/.
Bow of Titanic
Titanic was found by Dr. Robert Ballard in 1985. The “Unsinkable Titanic” sank on April 15, 1912. The wreck was 500 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. Children can view an interesting video of the ship and its discovery at: Titanic.
Jim Arnosky (born New York, New York, 1946) is a children’s book author and illustrator. He stresses animals, plants, and nature. His works include Big Jim and the Whitelegged Moose and Turtle in the Sea. Children could visit his website, particularly the coloring pages, at: Jim Arnosky.
Bernard Fantus (born Budapest, Hungary, 1874; died Oak Park, Illinois, April 14, 1940) created the first blood bank at Cook County Hospital in Chicago on March 15, 1937.
Engelbert Humperdinck (born Sieburg, Germany, 1854; died Neustrelitz, Germany, September 21, 1921) was a composer. He is famous for his opera Hansel and Gretel. He also wrote incidental music for plays, including several works by Shakespeare.
Edgar Rice Burroughs (born Chicago, Illinois, 1875; died Encino, California, March 19, 1950) was, at various times, a soldier, gold miner, cowboy, and policeman. He is famous for writing the Tarzan books. He wrote twenty novels. They have been translated into fifty languages, and over twenty million copies have been sold. The character was also featured in movies, comic strips, and television. Children can read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg. Children can learn more at: Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Great Britain and the American colonies conducted a “Gregorian Correction” to the calendar in 1752. The day after September 2 became September 14. Angry mobs protested in the streets because they felt they lost eleven days. The country also changed New Year’s Day from March 25 to January 1. Most of Europe had adopted the Gregorian calendar almost two centuries earlier on October 4, 1582.
Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., with Statue of Alexander Hamilton in Front
Treasury Department was created by Congress in 1789. Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury. Most historians feel he expertly guided the department through its infancy into a well-established part of the government. The Treasury Department is responsible for:
Over 100,000 people work in the Treasury Department. Children could visit the department’s website at: Treasury Department. Who is the current secretary of the treasury?