Elm Farm Ollie in 1930 Was the First Cow to Be Milked While Flying in an Airplane

 Events
Feb 182024
 
Cow

A Cow but not Elm Farm Ollie

Elm Farm Ollie in 1930 was the first cow to be milked while flying in an airplane.  Born and raised in Bismarck, Missouri, Elm Farm Ollie, also known as Nellie Jay and Sky Queen, produced 24 quarts of milk during the 72-mile flight. The milk was placed into paper cartons, and the cartons were dropped by parachute over St. Louis, Missouri, to the spectators below. Elsworth W. Bunce became famous as the first person to milk a cow in a flying airplane. Idea: Children could write a newspaper account of this story, including the important WHY?.

Corps of Discovery Started Return in 1806

 Events
Mar 232024
 

William Clark

Meriwether Lewis

Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery, after traveling up the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains and down the Columbia River, had wintered near the Pacific Ocean. On this day in 1806, they began their journey back to Saint Louis. They triumphantly returned to Saint Louis on September 23, 1806. Children can learn about Lewis and Clark and participate in many excellent activities at: Lewis and Clark.

Gateway Arch Was Dedicated in 1968

 Events
May 252024
 

Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch was dedicated in 1968. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the arch is also called the Gateway to the West or the Saint Louis Arch. It honors our country’s westward expansion and the courage of American settlers. One of the reasons Saint Louis was chosen was because the Corps of Discovery began and ended its journey here. At 630 feet tall, the monument is the world’s tallest arch. The idea of the arch began around 1933. Building the steel-clad arch started on February 12, 1963 and was finished on October 28, 1965. It opened to the public on June 10, 1967. The area became the Gateway Arch National Park on February 22, 2018. Children can learn more at: Gateway Arch.

Lewis and Clark Returned to St. Louis in 1806

 Events
Sep 232024
 
William Clark

William Clark

Lewis

Meriwether Lewis

Lewis and Clark concluded their exploration in 1806. They had left St. Louis, Missouri, on May 14, 1804. Their expedition lasted two years, four months, and ten days, ending in St. Louis, Missouri. Their journals described bison, grizzly bears, and many other animals. Older children could explore a very interesting website: Lewis and Clark.

Evaporated Milk Was Patented in 1884

 Events
Nov 252024
 

Evaporated milk was patented in 1884 by John B. Meyenberg of Saint Louis, Missouri. In 1884 refrigerators had not been invented, so milk spoiled easily. Meyenberg’s process removed about 60 percent of the water in milk. The remainder was homogenized, canned, and sterilized. The evaporated milk, which occupied far less space than fresh milk, could remain in cans for over a year. People could open the can, pour the evaporated milk into a big container, and add water to reconstitute it. Today most people use evaporated milk in desserts. Children can view the patent application at: Evaporated Milk Patent.