Flag of Botswana
Botswana celebrates Botswana Day, the day in 1966 when the United Kingdom gave up control of the country. This landlocked country in southern Africa is fairly prosperous. It is a leading producer of diamonds. Gold has also been found in the country. Because large herds of game still roam the country, tourism also brings in a great deal of revenue. Botswana, home to two million people, is a bit smaller than Texas. Gaborone is the capital. Children can learn more at: Botswana.
Robert Gray
Robert Gray became the first United States citizen to circumnavigate the world. He sailed from Boston on September 30, 1787 and traded with the Northwest Coast Indians. He traveled to China before returning to Boston on August 9, 1790.
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth hit his sixtieth home run for the season in 1927. That record stood until Roger Maris hit his sixty-first home run of the season on October 1, 1961.
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam (originally Boulder Dam) was dedicated in 1936. The dam, located at the border of Nevada and Arizona, captures water from the Colorado River. Constructed between 1931 and 1936, it was a marvel at the time and remains an amazing structure. The dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. The dam controls flood waters and provides hydroelectric power to Nevada, Arizona, and California. It is also quite a tourist attraction. Children can learn some SUPER facts at: Hoover Dam.
Walter “Fred” Morrison and his Pluto Platter
Frisbee was patented in 1958 by Walter “Fred” Morrison. He received patent number 183,626 for his “Flying Toy.” For a time he called the toy the Pluto Platter. Older children could experiment with the physics of a Frisbee at: Frisbee. They could create a Frisbee course in the backyard or on the playground.
James Meredith enrolled as the first African-American at the then all-white University of Mississippi in 1962. President Kennedy sent federal troops to quell the riots. Three people died, and 50 more were hurt. Older children could learn more at: James Meredith.
Bowl Trail
Guadalupe Mountains National Park was established in 1972. Located in the Guadalupe Mountains in west Texas, the park encompasses over 86,000 acres. Interesting fact – the park contains a marine fossil reef that is 265 million years old! Children could visit the park’s website at: http://www.nps.gov/gumo.
Edith Kunhardt Davis (born Morristown, New Jersey, 1937; died New York, New York, January 2, 2020) was an author and illustrator of children’s books. Her mother, Dorothy Kunhardt, wrote Pat the Bunney for Edith. Edith wrote 70 books and illustrated at least twelve books. Her works range from Tickle the Pig to Pompeii…Buried Alive!.
Carol Fenner (born North Hornell, New York, 1929; died Battle Creek, Michigan, February 16, 2002) wrote books for children and young adults. She received a 1979 Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Skates of Uncle Richard and a 1996 Newbery Honor Award for Yolanda’s Genius.
Hans Wilhelm Geiger (born Neustadt, Germany, 1882; died Berlin, Germany, September 24, 1945) invented the Geiger counter. Older children could find out how a Geiger counter works at: Geiger Counter.
Edgar Parin D’Aulaire (born Munich, Germany, 1898; died May 1, 1986) wrote at least 27 books for children. He worked with his wife Ingri D’Aulaire on many books. One of their most famous books was D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths. They received the 1940 Caldecott Medal for Abraham Lincoln. Children can learn more at: Edgar Parin D’Aulaire.
Alvin Tresselt (born Passaic, New Jersey, 1916; died Burlington, Vermont, July 24, 2000) wrote at least 30 books for children. His works include The Mitten and White Snow Bright Snow. That book earned its illustrator Roger Duvoisin the 1958 Caldecott Medal. Children can learn more at: Alvin Tresselt.
Elie Wiesel (born Sighet, Romania, 1928; died New York, New York, July 2, 2016) was an author and a survivor of the Holocaust. He was awarded the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize for helping Holocaust victims. One of his most famous books is Night. Children could learn more at: Elie Wiesel.
Janet S. Wong (born Los Angeles, California, 1962) has published at least ten picture books, at least four novels, and at least ten poetry collections for children. Her works include You Have to Write and This Next New Year. Children can visit her website at: Janet S. Wong.