White House
Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, was married in the White House in 1906. She married Nicholas Longworth. The public was captivated by her and the wedding, and tickets for the wedding were difficult to come by. Eight other “First Daughters” have been married in the White House. Children could view a list of all weddings held at the White House at: White House Weddings.
Street Sweepers after the Earthquake
San Francisco suffered a severe earthquake in 1906. The quake and subsequent fires, occurring at 5:13 AM, killed almost 4,000 people and destroyed much of the city. Children can compare San Francisco then and now at: San Francisco.
Simplon Tunnel from Iselle, Italy, to Brig, Switzerland, opened in 1906. Construction began in 1898. It was the longest railway tunnel until 1988 when Seikan Tunnel opened, connecting the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. Idea: Children could locate Italy and Switzerland on a map.
First Flight
Airplane was patented by the Wright Brothers in 1906. Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright had applied for the patent in 1903. They received Patent #821,393 for an “improved flying machine.” Children can view the patent at: https://www.google.com/patents/US821393. They flew their first successful flights on December 17, 1903.
Cliff Palace
Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde National Park was created in 1906. Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, it is famous for its ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings, including 5000 sites and 600 buildings. Paleo-Indians began living there around 7500 BC. These farmers struggled constantly to cultivate their crops of corn, beans, and squash. Today this World Heritage Site is also home to over 640 plant species, 74 mammal species, 200 bird species, and 1000 insect species. Children could visit a website at: http://www.nps.gov/meve.
Devils Tower
NPS Photo
Devils Tower was proclaimed America’s first national monument in 1906. Theodore Roosevelt decided the approximately 1,347 acre region located in Wyoming had to be preserved. Most geologists believe Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion where the sedimentary rock around it has eroded away. Children can learn more at: Devils Tower.
Theodore Roosevelt and Others Inspecting Panama Canal
Theodore Roosevelt traveled through the Panama Canal in 1906. Roosevelt felt that the Panama Canal had to be accomplished for both military and economic reasons. This trip also marked the first time an American President traveled to another country while in office. Children can research timelines and photos at: Panama Canal.
SOS became the international distress signal in 1906. SOS is • • • ▬ ▬ ▬ • • • in the International Alphabet. Children could learn a bit about Morse code. They could practice sending SOS in Morse code.
