Happy Birthday, National Geographic Society!

 Events
Jan 132024
 

MapNational Geographic Society was created in Washington, DC, in 1888. Around 33 founding members met at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC, to sign the charter. Visit a website at: National Geographic.  Children enjoy perusing the National Geographic site for kids at: National Geographic Kids. Do you want an easy activity that combines geography and good, hard thinking? Create a geography ABC: write the letters of the alphabet down on paper. Next to each letter children can write down places that begin with that letter. For example, “A” could list Albania, Alabama, Andes Mountains, Arno River…

Supreme Court Opened Its First Session in 1790

 Events
Feb 012024
 
Supreme Court

Supreme Court

Supreme Court opened its first session in 1790. In that year the capital was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Supreme Court met in what is now Independence Hall. When the capital moved to Washington, DC, no Supreme Court building existed. The Court met in various parts of the Capitol Building and even met in a private home during the War of 1812. Until 1935 the Supreme Court continued to meet in various places. The Supreme Court Building opened in 1935. Children can learn more about at: Supreme Court.

Frederick Douglass Died in Anacostia Heights, DC, in 1895

 Events
Feb 202024
 

Frederick Douglass died in Anacostia Heights, DC, in 1895. He was born in Tuckahoe, Maryland, probably in February 1818. He escaped from slavery and became a popular abolitionist and speaker. Children can learn more at Frederick Douglass.  Children can also read some of his works at Project Gutenberg.

Library of Congress Was Created in 1800

 Events
Apr 242024
 

Library of Congress was created in 1800 when Congress appropriated $5,000 to buy books that Congressional leaders might need. Located in Washington, DC, it is the country’s oldest federal cultural center. Today the Library occupies three large buildings with another building housing a conservation center. Its collections exceed 173 million artifacts, which are cared for by over 3,000 employees. Anyone can conduct research within the buildings, but only high-ranking individuals may remove materials from the facilities. Children could investigate the Library of Congress website for children at: http://www.loc.gov/families/. The site is truly filled with many, many ideas. Remember to keep scrolling and scrolling!

Samuel Morse Sent First Telegraph Message in 1844

 Events
May 242024
 

First telegraph message was sent by Samuel F. B. Morse in 1844. The message, “What hath God wrought?” was sent from Washington, DC, to Baltimore, Maryland. Idea: Children could explore a GREAT website and learn Morse Code at: Translate. They could send messages to one another in Morse code. They could learn more at: First Telegram.

District of Columbia Was Formed in 1790

 Events
Jul 162024
 

District of Columbia Flag

White House

District of Columbia was formed in 1790 when President Washington authorized the construction of a new capital. The United States government continued to work from Philadelphia until 1800. Today over 700,000 people live in the District of Columbia, while over six million people live in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. Certainly the District of Columbia can be proud of the many important and historical buildings and monuments within its boundaries. Idea: Children could find out how the land was acquired for the District of Columbia. They could learn more at: District of Columbia.

Korean War and the Korean War Veterans Memorial

 Events
Jul 272024
 
  • Korean War ended in 1953 when an armistice was signed in Panmunjon, Korea. Both sides claimed victory in a war that lasted for slightly over three years.

    Korea Memorial 1

    Korean War Veterans Memorial

  • Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1995. Located in Washington, DC, near the Lincoln Memorial, nineteen stainless steel sculptures of larger-than-life-size soldiers seem to be leaving a swamp. Children can learn more at: http://www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Connections

 Events
Aug 282024
 

Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his I Have a Dream speech in 1963 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Children can read the original text at: Dream Speech.

  • MLK Monu

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was dedicated in 2001 in Washington, DC. Situated between the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, the very impressive Stone of Hope statue by Lei Yixin stands 28 feet 6 inches tall. Children could learn more at: MLK Memorial.

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