Celebrate and Learn

Enid Bagnold (born Rochester, Kent, England, 1889; died London, England, March 31, 1981) was a novelist and playwright. One of her books is National Velvet. Children could learn more at: Enid Bagnold.

James Cook (born Martin-in-Cleveland, near Whitby, Yorkshire, England, 1728; died Kealakekwa Bay, Hawaii, February 14, 1779) was an explorer. He made three trips though the Pacific area. He sailed around the world twice. His last voyage was to locate the Northwest Passage. He was killed by natives when he went to investigate a boat theft. Idea: Cartographers could mark his various voyages on a map. They could find out what foods he brought back to Europe.

Jared Ingersoll (born New Haven, Connecticut, October 27, 1749; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1822) represented Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention. A lawyer, he spoke little at the Convention, but he was well respected. Later he became a judge. Older children can learn more at: Jared Ingersoll.

Roy Lichtenstein (born New York, New York, 1923; died New York, New York, September 29, 1997) was an artist, known for his pop art movement. Some of his works resembled comic strips. Children can view some of his works at: Roy Lichtenstein.

Nicolo Paganini (born Genoa, Italy, 1782; died Nice, France, May 27, 1840) was a famed violin virtuoso. He also composed works for the violin.

Theodore Roosevelt (born New York, New York, 1858; died Oyster Bay, New York, January 6, 1919) was the twenty-sixth president (1901-1909) of the United States. He was a sickly child, often experiencing asthma attacks. He challenged himself as an adult. He even climbed the Matterhorn. He became a lawyer; but after the death of his first wife, he ran a cattle ranch in North Dakota. During the Spanish-American War, he led the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill. Later he became governor of New York and then vice-president to William McKinley. When McKinley died, Roosevelt became the youngest president at age 42. During his presidency he established 150 million acres of national parks and forests. He authorized the building of the Panama Canal. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to resolve the Russo-Japanese War. The teddy bear is named in honor of him. Children could visit a website at: Theodore Roosevelt.  They could also read Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt by Jean Fritz, and then make a timeline of Roosevelt’s exciting life.

Dylan Thomas (born Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom, 1914; died New York, New York, November 9, 1953) was a poet and a playwright. His works include Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Twenty-Five Poems. Children could read some his poems at: Dylan Thomas.