Kenya Celebrates Jamhuri Day

 Events
Dec 122025
 
Kenya

Flag of Kenya

Kenya celebrates Jamhuri Day. Kenya gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1963. Today is also its Constitution Day, established a year later in 1964. This east African country, located along the equator, is slightly larger than the state of California. More than 40 million people live in this tropical country; Nairobi is the capital. Kenya exports coffee, tea and petroleum. Kenya’s coffee is quite strong. Children could find out how coffee is grown and harvested. They could also learn more at: Kenya.

Happy Birthday, Pennsylvania!

 Events
Dec 122025
 
Flag of Pennsylvania.svg

Pennsylvania Flag

Pennsylvania became the second state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1787. William Penn received a charter for the colony in 1681 and named it after his father. The name means, “Penn’s Woods.” The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were both signed in Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell. Harrisburg is the state capital, and its nickname is the Keystone State. In 1780 it was the first state to end slavery. It is a large transportation center, since it has access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Erie. Children could discover what a keystone is and how it relates to Pennsylvania’s nickname.

First Radio Transmission across the Atlantic Happened in 1901

 Events
Dec 122025
 

Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transoceanic radio signal from England to Newfoundland (2,200 miles) in 1901. He flew a kite 500 feet in the air to keep his antenna up and used Morse Code to transmit “s,” which is “- – -.” He, along with Ferdinand Braun, received the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics. Older children could learn more at: Marconi.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Dec 122025
 

William Lloyd Garrison (born Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1805; died New York, New York, May 24, 1879) was an abolitionist and a writer. He was the editor of The Liberator, an abolitionist newspaper. Following the Civil War and the end of slavery, he became a proponent of women’s rights.

John Jay (born New York, New York, 1745; died Bedford, New York, May 17, 1829) was a diplomat and a writer. He co-authored the Federalist papers and was the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. Children could learn more at: John Jay.

Edvard Munch (born Loten, Norway, 1863; died Ekely, Norway, January 23, 1944) was an artist. He is known for The Scream, created in 1893. Older teenagers might want to visit the Munch portion of the Google Art Project at: Edvard Munch.

Santa Lucia Day Is Celebrated in Sweden and Other Countries

 Events
Dec 132025
 

Lucia Bun

Santa Lucia Day is celebrated in Sweden and other countries. Girls put on white dresses, wear a crown of candles, and wake their families with coffee, Lucia Buns (lussekatter or saffron buns), and music. During the evening church service, processions of girls honor Saint Lucy. For a Lucia Buns recipe, children could visit: Lucia Buns.

Sir Francis Drake Began Circumnavigating the World in 1577

 Events
Dec 132025
 

Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake, an English explorer, began his trip in 1577 that would eventually circumnavigate the world. He left England with five ships and picked up another near the Cape Verde Islands. Actually Drake did not plan to sail around the world. He was a privateer intent on plundering Spanish ships. He returned to England September 26, 1580, with one ship loaded with treasure. Children find out more about his “sea dog” years by visiting: Sir Francis Drake. They could also experience a readers’ theater play at: Readers’ Theater.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Dec 132025
 

Lucia Gonzalez (born Caimito, Cuba, 1957) is a children’s author, librarian, and storyteller. Her The Bossy Gallito received the 1995 Pura Belpré Literature Honor Award. She also wrote The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de los cuentos, a bilingual book about Pura Belpré. It earned the 2008 Pura Belpré Children’s Literature Honor Medal. Children could learn more at: Lucia Gonzalez.

Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln (born Lexington, Kentucky, 1818; died Springfield, Illinois, July 16, 1882) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1861 to April 14, 1865. She was the wife of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States. The attractive daughter of a rich and prominent southern family, she married the impoverished Lincoln in 1842. They had four sons. Most of her life seemed riddled with agitation. While First Lady, she was criticized for her extravagance. Her husband and three of her four sons died during her lifetime. Children could learn more at: Mary Todd Lincoln.

The Little Island

The Little Island

Leonard Weisgard (born New Haven Connecticut, 1916; died Denmark, January 14, 2000) was an author and/or illustrator of more than 200 books. He illustrated Margaret Wise Brown’s The Little Island and received the 1948 Caldecott Medal. Children could visit a website devoted to him and view the long list of books he illustrated at: Leonard Weisegard.

Hanukkah Begins this Evening!

 Events
Dec 142025
 

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, the eight-day “Festival of Lights” that commemorates the success of the Maccabees when they fought the Seleucids 2100 years ago. When the Maccabees knew they were victorious, they realized they had enough oil to light the menorah for only one night. However, the oil lasted for eight nights. Jews eat latkes, play games with dreidels, and light candles on the menorah every night. Tonight the shamash (the middle candle) and one more candle will be lit. Hanukkah will end the night of December 22, 2025. Children could read Alexandra’s Scroll: The Story of the First Hanukkah, written by Miriam Chaikin. Children could also visit a great website, loaded with activities, at: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/hanukkah_for_kids.htm.

Happy Birthday, Alabama!

 Events
Dec 142025
 
Alabama State Flag

Alabama Flag

Alabama became the twenty-second state of the United States in 1819. People lived in the Russell Cave area around 6000 B.C. The Temple Mound culture moved into the Moundville location somewhere between 1200 and 1500. The state is named after the Alabama tribe. Montgomery is the capital, and the state’s nicknames are the Yellowhammer State and the Heart of Dixie. The state ranks 30th in area and 24th in population. The pecan is the state’s official nut. Children could visit an Internet site at: Alabama. The mound builders have left us fascinating artifacts. Children could learn more at a great site: https://alabamamoundtrail.org/.

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