Flag of Brunei
Brunei celebrates a national holiday. Located on the island of Borneo, it became free of British rule in 1984. This small country (according to the CIA World Factbook, slightly smaller than Delaware) is governed by a sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah. Extremely rich deposits of oil have made Brunei a wealthy country. Around 400,000 people live in the country, and the capital is Bandar Seri Begawan. Children can learn more at: Brunei.
Flag of Guyana
Guyana celebrates Republic Day. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America. Various European countries laid claim to the country, located on the northeastern coast of South America. According to the CIA World Factbook, Guyana is about the size of Idaho. Because the country has a tropical climate, inhabitants grow sugar, rice, and timber. It also exports gold and bauxite. Over 700,000 people live in Guyana. Georgetown is the capital. Older children could learn more at: Guyana.
George Taylor, signer of the Declaration of Independence, died in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1781. He was born in Ireland, probably during 1716. He also helped the cause of the Revolutionary War because his forge produced grapeshot, cannonballs, and cannons. Idea: Children could find out how grapeshot and cannonballs were made. Children could learn more at: George Taylor.
Alamo
Battle of the Alamo started in 1836 and ended March 6, 1836. The causes of the battle was quite complex: Americans fighting in a mission in an area that was Mexico but is now Texas. Children can read more at: Battle of the Alamo.
Children Waiting for Polio Vaccine
First mass inoculations of Salk polio vaccine took place in 1954. Polio was a terrifying disease affecting thousands of children. Jonas Salk’s vaccine brought relief for families around the world. To understand more about polio’s devastation, children can read Peg Kehret’s excellent autobiography, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio.