Flag of India
India celebrates Republic Day. It gained its freedom from Great Britain in 1950. According to the CIA World Factbook, India is a third the size of the United States, but its population is more than three times the population of the United States. India has almost every ecosystem in the world. The Himalaya Mountains are in the north; India also has deserts and tropical rainforests. New Delhi is the capital. Children can learn more at: India.
Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. Her book of poetry, Annie Allen, described the life of an African American girl growing up during World War II. Older children could read a great article about Brooks and the Pulitzer at: Gwendolyn Brooks.
Image from Korean War Memorial
Korean War began in 1950. Soldiers from northern Korea attacked southern troops. The United States entered the conflict on June 30. The war ended July 27, 1953. Older children could learn more at: Korean War.
Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson, in 1950, became the first African American (of either sex) to compete in an international tennis competition. She received an invitation to play at the United States National Championships (now the U. S. Open) in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. She lost in the second round, but that event was just the start of her groundbreaking career in both tennis and golf. Children can learn more at: Althea Gibson.
Earl Lloyd in 1950 became the first African American to play for the NBA. He played for the Washington Capitols at a game held in Rochester, New York. He went on to play 560 games in nine seasons. He then became the first African American assistant basketball coach and was head coach for the Detroit Pistons. Children could learn more at: Earl Lloyd.