Birthdays

 Birthdays
Oct 072025
 

Niels Bohr (born Copenhagen, Denmark, 1885; died Copenhagen, Denmark, November 18, 1962) developed the theory of atomic structure. He received the 1922 Nobel Prize for his work. Later he studied the nucleus of atoms and quantum mechanics. Idea: Children could draw a model of an atom and learn about its various energy levels. Older children could learn more at: Niels Bohr.

Alice Dalgliesh (born Trinidad, British West Indies, 1893; died Woodbury, Connecticut, June 11, 1979) wrote, illustrated, and/or edited at least 40 books for children. She received three Caldecott Honor Awards: in 1945 for The Silver Pencil, in 1953 for The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, and in 1955 for The Courage of Sarah Noble. Children can learn more at: Alice Dalgliesh.

William Samuel Johnson

William Samuel Johnson

William Samuel Johnson (born Stratford, Connecticut, 1727; died Stratford, Connecticut, November 14, 1819) represented Connecticut at the Constitutional Convention. A lawyer, he helped present the Connecticut Compromise (two branches of Congress). Later he became a US senator. He lived to be the oldest signer of the Constitution. Children could learn more at: William Samuel Johnson.

Yo-Yo Ma (born Paris, France, 1955) is a cellist. He was performing before audiences by age five. He has produced 75 albums, and he received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2001.

James Whitcomb Riley (born Greenfield, Indiana, 1849; died Indianapolis, Indiana, July 22, 1916) was known as the “Hoosier” poet. Idea: Students could read some of his poetry. Children could read many of his works at: Project Gutenberg.

Caesar Rodney

Caesar Rodney

Caesar Rodney (born Dover, Delaware, 1728; died Dover, Delaware, June 26, 1784) signed the Declaration of Independence. He represented Delaware. A wealthy man, he served as a sheriff, a member of the legislature, and a judge (even though he was not a lawyer). He fought in the Revolutionary War, and for a while he was governor of Delaware. Children could learn more at: Caesar Rodney.

Desmond Tutu (born Klerksdrop, South Africa, 1931; died Capetown, South Africa, December 26, 2021) was the archbishop of South Africa and a civil rights activist. He received many awards, including the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize and the 2009 US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Older children could learn more at: Desmond Tutu.

Two Tragic Fires in 1871

 Events
Oct 082025
 
Map of Fire Damage

Map of Fire Damage

Great Chicago Fire of 1871 burned for thirty hours. Legend states Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern and started a fire in her barn. Almost one hundred thousand people lost their homes, and over 200 people died. Children could learn more at: Chicago Fire.

Peshtigo Forest Fire also started in 1871. Experts believe this to be one of the most damaging forest fires ever. The fire began in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and spread across six counties. More than 1,100 people died. Children could learn more at: Peshtigo Forest Fire.

First Transcontinental Air Race Started in 1919

 Events
Oct 082025
 
Belvin Maynard Landing to Win Race

Belvin Maynard Landing to Win Race

First Transcontinental Air Race began in 1919. The race was also called the Transcontinental Reliability and Endurance Test. Fifteen airplanes took off from San Francisco, and 48 planes left Roosevelt Field in New York. The 5,400 mile round trip was sponsored by the American Flying Club of New York. “Flying Parson” Army Lieutenant Belvin Maynard won the race. He took three days six hours to fly from New York to California, and he needed three days 21 hours to fly back.

Microwave Oven Was Patented by Percy Spencer in 1945

 Events
Oct 082025
 

Microwave Patent

Microwave oven was patented by Percy Spencer in 1945. He accidentally discovered the power of microwaves when he found that a candy bar in his pocket had melted when he came near radar. He began to experiment with microwaves under controlled conditions. He received patent number 2,495,429. Children could view his patent, “Method of Treating Foodstuffs,” at: Microwave Patent.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Oct 082025
 

Barthe DeClements (born Seattle, Washington, 1920) is an author. Her works include Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You and Spoiled Rotten.

Frank Herbert (born Tacoma, Washington, 1920; died Madison, Wisconsin, February 11, 1986) was a writer. He is most known for his Dune series. Young adults can learn more at: Frank Herbert.

Jesse Jackson (born Greenville, North Carolina, 1941) is a minister and a civil rights leader.

Trinka Hakes Noble (born Michigan, 1944) writes and illustrates books for children. Her books include the Jimmy’s Boa series and The Last Brother. Children can visit her website at: Trinka Hakes Noble.

Edward Rickenbacker (born Columbus, Ohio, 1890; died Zurich, Switzerland, July 23, 1973) was an aviator and a World War I ace fighter pilot. He received the Medal of Honor.

Faith Ringgold (born Harlem, New York, 1930; died Englewood, New Jersey, April 12, 2024) was an artist. She also wrote and illustrated children’s books. Her book Tar Beach earned a 1992 Caldecott Honor Award and the 1992 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky received the 1993 Jane Addams Picture Book Award. Children can visit her website at: Faith Ringgold.

DSC_0339

Goosebumps Book

R. L. Stine (born Columbus, Ohio, 1943) has written hundreds of books for children and young adults. His works include the Goosebumps series and the Fear Street series. Young adults can visit his website at: R. L. Stine.

Mike Thaler (born Los Angeles, California, 1936; died Yakima County, Washington, March 23, 2024) wrote at least 210 books for children. His works include The Teacher from… series and another  series, Tales from the Back Pew. Children can learn more at: Mike Thaler.

Leif Erikson Day

 Events
Oct 092025
 
Statue of Leif Erikson in front of Minnesota State Capitol

Statue of Leif Erikson in front of Minnesota State Capitol

Leif Erikson Day is celebrated in Iceland and some parts of the United States. The Viking may have discovered North America in the year 1000. Idea: Children could research the evidence and decide which European found the Americas first. October 9 has no association to Erikson; the date was picked because the first ship filled with Norwegian immigrants landed on October 9, 1825. The day was first recognized by Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1964. Every president since then has honored the day. Some people believe we should honor Leif Erikson Day rather than Columbus Day. Children could learn more about the debate at: Leif Erikson Day.

Uganda Celebrates Independence Day

 Events
Oct 092025
 
Uganda

Flag of Uganda

Uganda celebrates Independence Day. This African land-locked country became free from British rule in 1962. Slightly smaller than the state of Oregon, Uganda is home to almost 35 million people. Farmers comprise about 80 percent of the population, and coffee is one of its biggest exports. The capital is Kampala. Children can learn more at: Uganda.

Supernova 1604 First Appeared in 1604

 Events
Oct 092025
 
Technologically Enhanced Remnant of Supernova 1604

Technologically Enhanced Remnant of Supernova 1604

Supernova 1604 first appeared in northern Italy in 1604. Johannes Kepler, while not the first scientist to see it, made observations of it while he was in Prague. Also known as Kepler’s Nova, the supernova, of the type to happen in the Milky Way, was the brightest star in the sky and was visible during the day for three weeks. Supernova 1604 was also observed and noted in China and in Korea. Children can learn more about supernovas at: Supernovas.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Oct 092025
 

Johanna Hurwitz (born New York, New York, 1937) has written more than 70 books for children. Her books include Hurray for Ali Baba Bernstein and the Riverside Kids series. Children can visit her website at: Johanna Hurwitz.

Camille Saint-Saëns (born Paris, France, 1835; died Algiers, Algeria, December 16, 1921) was a composer. One of his compositions was The Carnival of the Animals.

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