James Cook
James Cook discovered Hawaiian Islands in 1778. He called the islands the Sandwich Islands to honor John Montagu, Fourth Earl of Sandwich and one of Cook’s sponsors. Remember that on January 17, 1773, James Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle – Busy man! Children can learn more at: James Cook.
First Airplane Landing on a Ship
Airplane landed for the first time on a ship, the USS Pennsylvania, in 1911. Eugene B. Ely, the pilot, landed his Curtiss pusher on a platform built on the ship, located in San Francisco Bay. A tailhook system, designed by Hugh Robinson, successfully slowed and stopped the plane. Older children can learn more about the fascinating landing and the short life of the pilot at: Eugene B. Ely.