Happy Birthday, Oklahoma!

 Events
Nov 162024
 
Oklahoma State Flag

Oklahoma Flag

Oklahoma became the forty-sixth state of the United States in 1907. French trappers visited the area around 1700. Several Native American groups were relocated to Oklahoma, only to be forced out later. Oil and gas were and still are important sources of income. Oklahoma’s name can be traced to a Choctaw word okla humma, meaning land of the red people. Its nickname is the Sooner State. Oklahoma ranks 20th in size and 35th in population. Oklahoma City is the capital. Idea: Oklahoma has a panhandle. Children could look at a United States map and find out which other states also have panhandles. Children can visit the America’s Library website and learn about kolaches at: Oklahoma.

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Died on November 16, 1790

 Events
Nov 162024
 

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer died on November 16, 1790. His exact date of birth is unknown. He represented Maryland at the Constitutional Convention. Before the Revolutionary War, he was active in settling border disputes between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Older children could learn more at: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer.

Venera 3 Was Launched in 1965

 Events
Nov 162024
 

Venera 3, a Soviet unmanned space probe, was launched in 1965. It crash landed on the surface of Venus on March 1, 1966. It was the first man-made object to travel to another planet.  Children could figure out how many days it took to get to Venus and the distance it traveled. They could make various math problems from those statistics.

Skylab 4 Was Launched in 1973

 Events
Nov 162024
 
Skylab 4

Carr “balances” Pogue in weightless conditions

Skylab 4, with three astronauts, was launched in 1973. The crew (Commander Gerald P. Carr, Pilot William R. Pogue, and Scientist Edward G. Gibson) spent over 84 days in space, returning to earth on February 8, 1974. Daily life in space is much different from daily life on earth. Marianne J. Dyson wrote a very interesting book, Space Station Science: Life in Free Fall. She provides some easy and fascinating experiments. I like her chapter on space bathrooms. Children could also learn more at: Skylab 4.