Flag of Eswatini
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) celebrates Somhlolo, Independence Day. Although it has remained part of the British Commonwealth, it became free of direct British rule in 1968. This land-locked country, located in the southeastern portion of Africa, is ruled by a monarch, King Mswati III. Eswatini, home to 1.4 million people, is about the size of New Jersey. Mbabane is the capital. Older children can learn more at: Eswatini.
Captain Juan Sebastian de Elcano brought the only surviving ship, the Victoria, from Magellan’s expedition back to Spain in 1522. Magellan’s voyage started September 20, 1519, with five ships and about 265 men. Only eighteen of the men survived and returned on the Victoria. The ship was the first vessel to circumnavigate earth. Children could learn more at: Magellan.
Jane Addams
Jane Addams (born Cedarville, Illinois, 1860; died Chicago, Illinois, May 21, 1935) was an activist for social welfare and women’s rights. She founded Hull House and was the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Children could read The House that Jane Built, written by Tanya Lee Stone and illustrated by Kathryn Brown. The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award was created in her honor in 1953. The award recognizes books that promote peace, equality for minority groups, world issues, and equality for both men and women. Children could learn more about Jane Addams and the Jane Adams Children’s Book Award from Children’s Book Award Handbook, by Diana F. Marks.
John Dalton (born Eaglesfield, England, 1766; died Manchester, England, July 27, 1844) was a scientist. He is known for his work in atomic theory and in research regarding color blindness.
Tony DiTerlizzi (born Los Angeles, California, 1969) writes and illustrates books for children. He co-wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black. He earned a 2003 Caldecott Honor Award for The Spider and the Fly. Children can visit his website at: Tony DiTerilizzi.
Marquis de Lafayette
Marquis de Lafayette (born Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier in Chavaniac, France, 1757; died Paris, France, May 20, 1834) was called “The Hero of Two Worlds.” He contributed to the American Revolution by convincing Louis XVI to send men to fight. He attained the rank of major-general and helped force Cornwallis to surrender at Yorktown. He returned to France and drafted “A Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.” Children could read Russell Freedman’s Lafayette and the American Revolution.
Felix Salten (born Budapest, Hungary, 1869; died Zurich, Switzerland, October 8, 1945) was an author. His most famous book is Bambi. Children could learn more at: Felix Salton.
Jessie Willcox Smith (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1863; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1935) was a prolific illustrator. Her illustrations appeared in over 250 periodicals, on 200 magazine covers, and in 60 books. Some of her most well-know children’s book illustrations include Heidi by Johanna Spyri and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
Anna’s Hummingbird in Big Bend
National Hummingbird Day is today! Celebrated on the first Saturday of September, the day honors our smallest types of birds. About 336 species of hummingbirds exist, and they are native to the Americas. These small birds can quickly stop midair, and they are the only birds that can fly backward. Their needle-like bills allow them to extract flower nectar. Their eggs are about the size of a pea. They are called hummingbirds because their wings beat so many times in a second that they produce a low hum.
National Grandparents’ Day
National Grandparents’ Day is today, the first Sunday following Labor Day. It was made a holiday by Presidential Proclamation by Jimmy Carter in 1978.
Turkey Vulture
International Vulture Awareness Day is today! Designated for the first Saturday in September, the day recognizes vultures, birds that may be unattractive but are vital to the world’s ecology. Vultures eat carrion, dead animals. These scavengers help rid our planet of dead matter. Ornithologists list 23 species of vultures living today. Unfortunately several of the species are endangered or even critically endangered. Children could learn more at: Vultures.
Flag of Brazil
Brazil celebrates Independence Day. It became free from Portuguese rule in 1822, but Portuguese is still the official language. This South American country is only slightly smaller than the United States. Over 200 million people live in Brazil, and Brasilia is the capital. It exports coffee and soybeans. Idea: Children could compare and contrast the Portuguese language and the Spanish language. Children could learn more at: Brazil.
Not the first Uncle Sam but perhaps the most famous
“Uncle Sam” symbol was used for the first time in 1813. It appeared in a Troy, New York, newspaper. Sam Wilson, a meat packer from New York, was supplying beef to the troops during the War of 1812. He marked the beef barrels with the letters US, meaning the meat was for US soldiers. However, the soldiers began interpreting the letters US as Uncle Sam.
Raggedy Ann Doll Patent
Raggedy Ann dolls were patented by John Gruelle in 1915. He received patent D47,789. He wrote at least 50 Raggedy Ann and Andy books to accompany the dolls.
Elizabeth I (born Greenwich Palace, 1533; died Richmond, England, March 24, 1603) was queen of England from 1558 until her death. Her parents were Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. During her reign England became a leading power. Idea: Children could read from the Royal Diaries series, Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor England, by Kathryn Lasky.
Elmer Hader (born Pajaro, California, 1889; died Nyack, New York, September 9, 1973) was a writer and illustrator of children’s books. He and his wife Berta Hader collaborated on more than 100 books. They received the 1948 Caldecott Medal for The Big Snow.
Eric Hill (born Holloway, United Kingdom, 1927; died Templeton, California, June 6, 2014) wrote children’s books. He is most known for his books about Spot, a puppy always getting into trouble. More than 60 million copies of his books have been sold. Children can learn more at: Eric Hill.
Buddy Holly (born Charles Harden Holly in Lubbock, Texas, 1936; died in a plane crash near Mason City, Iowa, February 3, 1959) was a leader of rock ‘n’ roll. One of his most famous songs was “Peggy Sue.”
Jacob Lawrence (born Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917; died Seattle, Washington, June 9, 2000) was an African American painter and illustrator. He received the Spingarn Medal. Children can visit a website at: Jacob Lawrence.
LeUyen Pham (born Saigon, Vietnam, 1973) writes and illustrates books for children. Her illustrations of Bear Came Along, written by Richard T. Morris, earned her a 2020 Caldecott Honor Award.
Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses (born Greenwich, New York, 1860; died Hoosick Falls, New York, December 13, 1961) was a contemporary primitive artist. She began painting when she was 78 years old. Children could view some of her work at: Grandma Moses.