Birthdays

 Birthdays
Jan 112024
 

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton (born British West Indies, 1757; died Weehawken, New Jersey, July 12, 1804) was an early American leader. He rallied for the causes of the Revolutionary War and served for a while as George Washington’s aide-de-camp. He represented New York at the Constitutional Convention. He was secretary of the treasury while Washington was president and helped the new country become financially sound. He was mortally wounded after a duel with Aaron Burr. Children could learn more at: Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton believed in a strong central government, and he wrote a large portion of The Federalist Papers. Children can read The Federalist Papers at: Project Gutenberg.

Robert C. O’Brien (born Robert Conly in Brooklyn, New York, 1918; died Washington, DC, March 3, 1973) was an editor for National Geographic and a children’s author. He won the 1972 Newbery Medal for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. He started Z for Zachariah, but he died before it was finished. His wife and daughter, following his notes, completed and published the book in 1974. Z for Zachariah received the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award and the Edgar Award in the juvenile division.

Alice Paul

Alice Paul (born Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey, 1885; died Moorestown, New Jersey, July 9, 1977) was a proponent of women’s rights, especially the right to vote. She picketed the White House, much to President Wilson’s chagrin. She was jailed for peacefully protesting, and she went on hunger strikes to bring attention to her cause. After the Nineteenth Amendment (voting rights for women) passed, she turned her attention to including women in the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Children can learn more at: Alice Paul.

Mary Rodgers (born New York, New York, 1931; died New York, New York, June 25, 2014) was a composer of musicals and a writer of children’s books. Her works include Freaky Friday and The Rotten Book.

Ann Tompert (born near Detroit, Michigan, 1918; died Port Huron, Michigan, April 17, 2019) wrote over 50 books. Two fine examples of her books is Grandfather Tang’s Story and Just a Little Bit.

Treasury Department Was Created by Congress in 1789

 Events
Sep 022024
 
Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., with Statue of Alexander Hamilton in Front

Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., with Statue of Alexander Hamilton in Front

Treasury Department was created by Congress in 1789. Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury. Most historians feel he expertly guided the department through its infancy into a well-established part of the government. The Treasury Department is responsible for:

  • Making currency
  • Collecting taxes, duties, and money owed to the government
  • Paying US government bills
  • Monitoring national banks
  • Publishing reports on state of treasury

Over 100,000 people work in the Treasury Department. Children could visit the department’s website at: Treasury Department. Who is the current secretary of the treasury?

First Essay of the Federalist Papers Was Published in 1787

 Events
Oct 272024
 

First essay of the Federalist Papers was published in 1787 in a New York City newspaper. John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton wrote the essays to persuade people to adopt the new Constitution. The last of the 85 essays was published April 4, 1788. Children can read or listen to someone else read the Federalist Papers at: Project Gutenberg.