Flag of Mauritius
Mauritius celebrates Independence Day. It became a free nation in 1968, but it is still part of the British Commonwealth. About 2/3 the size of Rhode Island, this island country is located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The island had been colonized by various countries and often served as a way station for navies. About 1.3 million people live on the island, and sugar cane is the predominant crop. Port Louis is the capital. Children could learn more at: Mauritius.
Fireside Chat
“Fireside Chats” were held for the first time by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. These radio broadcasts from the White House were his way of communicating his concerns and triumphs to America. He delivered 30 Fireside Chats over eleven years. He started a trend that other presidents followed. For example, President Obama delivered an online weekly address. Older children could see the list of Fireside Chats at: Fireside Chats. Then they can click on each one to see the text.
Daniel Cohen (born Chicago, Illinois, 1936; died Cape May, New Jersey, May 6, 2018) wrote over 100 nonfiction books for children. His books include Allosaurus and other Jurassic Meat-Eaters and Civil War Ghosts.
Charles Cunningham Boycott (born Norfolk, England, 1832; died Suffolk, England, June 19, 1897) is famous because his last name is so much a part of our language. He owned a number of properties. He charged high rents, and he evicted those who could not pay the money. The tenants refused to rent from him, and thus the word boycott came into being. Idea: Brainstorm a list of words that have come from someone’s name.
Virginia Hamilt
on (born Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1936; died Yellow Springs, Ohio, February 19, 2002) wrote at least 41 books for children. She received many, many honors and awards, including the 1992 Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the 1995 Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and several Coretta Scott King Awards. Her book M. C. Higgins the Great received the 1975 Newbery Medal. She also wrote In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World which received a 1989 Newbery Honor Award. Children could visit a website devoted to her at: Virginia Hamilton.
Carl Hiaasen (born Plantation, Florida, 1953) writes books for children and young adults. His book Hoot received a 2003 Newbery Honor Award. Children can visit his website at: Carl Hiaasen.
Naomi Shihab Nye (born Saint Louis, Missouri, 1952) writes poetry and novels. Her book Sitti’s Secrets received the 1998 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award.
Jane Pierce
Jane Means Appleton Pierce (born Hampton, New Hampshire, 1806; died Andover, Massachusetts, December 2, 1863) was America’s First Lady from March 4, 1853 to March 4, 1857. She was the wife of Franklin Pierce, fourteenth president of the United States. She did not want her husband to run for the office. Mourning the death of one of their sons, she was not a very active First Lady. Children could visit a website at: Jane Means Appleton Pierce.
Schirra is the first person in the first row
Wally Schirra (born Hackensack, New Jersey, 1923; died La Jolla, California, May 3, 2007) was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts. He was the first person to travel into space three times. In 1962 he piloted Mercury-Atlas 8 and orbited the earth six times. Then he was part of the crew of Gemini 6A. He was commander of Apollo 7. He and his crew spent eleven days in space, carrying out experiments. He received an Emmy for his transmissions from space to earth. After his NASA years, he became a television commentator regarding the space program. Children can visit a website devoted to him at: Wally Schirra.
Andrew Young (born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1932) is a civil rights leader. He was a Congressperson from Georgia 1973 to 1977, United States ambassador to the United Nations in the Carter administration from 1977 to 1979, and mayor of Atlanta from 1982 to 1990, . Children could learn more at: Andrew Young.