Buffalo National River
Credit: National Park Service
Buffalo National River was established in 1972. Located in northern Arkansas, a lower stretch of 135 miles of the Buffalo River is a national river. An upper stretch of eighteen miles is part of the Ozark National Forest. Children could learn more at: Buffalo National River.
Apollo 16 on the Moon
Apollo 16 was launched in 1972. The fifth group to land on the moon, John Young, Charles M. Duke, Jr., and Thomas K. Mattingly made the 11-day trip, exploring the moon for 71 hours. Among their activities, they launched a satellite that would circle the moon. However, it was sent into an orbit that was not stable. The satellite crashed into the moon’s surface on May 29, 1972. Children could learn more at: Apollo 16.
Flag of Cameroon
Cameroon celebrates Republic Day. Declared a republic in 1972, Cameroon, according to the CIA World Factbook, is about the size of California. Its climate varies from tropical in the south to semiarid in the north. About 20.5 million people live in this African country, with most of the population located in the south. Approximately 70 percent of the population are farmers. Yaoundé is the capital. Kids can discover some great facts about Cameroon at: Cameroon.
Michelangelo’s Pieta
Michelangelo’s Pietá was damaged in 1972 in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City when Lazlo Toth, a geologist, attacked the sculpture. Using a hammer, Toth shattered Mary’s left arm, her nose, her left eye, and her veil. The damage was repaired. Michelangelo had completed the sculpture around 1498 to 1499, and it is the only sculpture that bears his signature.
Carpenter is the far right person in the first row
Scott Carpenter was launched into space in 1962. The fourth American to travel in space, he circled the earth three times. Aboard Aurora 7, he conducted five experiments in the five-hour voyage. He was the first astronaut to eat solid food in space. Children could learn more, including his aquanaut experiences, at: Scott Carpenter.
Sally Jane Priesand became the first woman rabbi. She was ordained in 1972 and became assistant rabbi for a New York City congregation about two months later. She became the rabbi of a New Jersey congregation in 1981 and eventually retired in 2006. Today about 32 percent of rabbis are female.
Watergate Day occurred in 1972 when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic Headquarters. The headquarters were located in the Watergate building in Washington, DC. The men were tied to President Richard Nixon’s reelection committee. Over 60 people were indicted. Ultimately Richard Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, because he was about to be impeached. Older children can view a timeline of the Watergate scandal at: Watergate.
Mark Spitz in 1972 became the first person to win seven gold medals in one Olympic competition. He received gold medals in: 100 meter freestyle, 200 meter freestyle, 4 X 100 meter freestyle relay, 4 X 200 meter freestyle relay, 100 meter butterfly, 200 meter butterfly, and 4 X 100 meter medley relay. His record lasted until Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics.
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.
First female FBI field agents completed basic training. In 1972 Susan Lynn Roley and Joanne E. Pierce graduated from Quantico, Virginia. Today about 16 percent of FBI agents are women.