John White, Virginia Dare, and Roanoke – 1587

 Events
Aug 182024
 

On this day, two events connecting John White and Roanoke occurred:

  • Virginia Dare in 1587 was the first child of Europeans to be born in the colonies. Her grandfather was John White, a leader of the Roanoke colony. He and his group had arrived at Roanoke on July 22. He returned to England for more supplies and more people. However, wars and other events delayed his voyage back.
  • John White came back to Roanoke on August 18, 1590 to find that the Roanoke colony (and his granddaughter) had disappeared. Children could learn more at: Lost Colony

Phobos, a Moon of Mars, Was Discovered by Asaph Hall in 1877

 Events
Aug 182024
 
Phobos

Phobos

Phobos, one of the two moons of Mars, was discovered by Asaph Hall of the United States Naval Observatory in 1877. The moon was named after the Greek god Phobos, meaning fear. The small moon actually orbits Mars faster than Mars rotates. Experts believe Phobos may eventually break apart and form a ring around Mars. Children could learn more at: Phobos.

Women’s Air Derby Took Place in 1929

 Events
Aug 182024
 

Women’s Air Derby took place in 1929. Also called the Powder Puff Derby by Will Rogers, this race was the first women-only flying competition. Twenty pilots left Santa Monica, California, on either August 18 or 19. They made eleven stops before they finished in Cleveland, Ohio. Most of the women completed the competition. Louise Thaden won the race in the heavier airplane competition, landing in Cleveland on August 26, 1929. Phoebe Omlie won the lighter airplane competition.