Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua Declared their Independence from Spain in 1821

 Events
Sep 152024
 

The Central American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared their independence from Spain in 1821.

Costa Rica

Flag of Costa Rica

Costa Rica, about the size of West Virginia, has a population of about 4.7 million people. The country, which exports bananas, pineapples, and coffee, has four active volcanoes. San José is the capital. Children can learn more at: Costa Rica.

El Salvador

Flag of El Salvador

El Salvador, slightly smaller than the state of Massachusetts, has a population of 6.1 million people. It exports coffee, sugar, and textiles. It is the only Central American country that does not have a coastline on the Caribbean Sea. San Salvador is the capital. Children can learn more at: El Salvador.

Guatemala

Flag of Guatemala

Guatemala, slightly smaller than the state of Tennessee, has a population of 14.3 million people. It exports sugar, coffee, and petroleum. Mountains cover most of the country, and Guatemala City is the capital. Children can learn more at: Guatemala.

Honduras

Flag of Honduras

Honduras, slightly larger than the state of Tennessee, is home to 8.5 million people. The country often experiences hurricanes along the Caribbean coast. It exports textiles, shrimp, and coffee. Tegucigalpa is the capital. Children can learn more at: Honduras.

Nicaragua

Flag of Nicaragua

Nicaragua, a bit smaller than the state of New York, has a population of 5.8 million people. The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua exports beef, coffee, gold, and sugar. Managua is the capital. Children can learn more at: Nicaragua.

John Bull Locomotive Operated for the First Time in 1831 for the Camden and Amboy Railroad in New Jersey

 Events
Sep 152024
 
John Bull Locomtive

John Bull Locomotive

John Bull locomotive operated for the first time in 1831 for the Camden and Amboy Railroad in New Jersey. Built in Great Britain, the train engine was used until 1885 when it was purchased by the Smithsonian Institute. On September 15, 1981, celebrating its 150 year anniversary, the John Bull became the oldest working locomotive when it traveled several miles on train tracks on its own power. Later in 1985 it became the oldest locomotive to travel by air when it took a plane ride to Dallas, Texas, to be part of an exhibit. Today it is on static display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

Cassini Space Probe Ended in 2017

 Events
Sep 152024
 

Saturn and Its Rings

Cassini Space Probe ended in 2017 when it was de-orbited above Saturn and was destroyed in Saturn’s atmosphere. The Cassini Huygens unmanned mission was launched on October 15, 1997. The Cassini-Huygens mission was a joint venture of the European Space Agency, the Italian Space Agency, and NASA. Cassini was supposed to be viable only until 2008. However, it continued to send back valuable data about various planets and Saturn’s moons and rings. Scientists had it perform a “Grand Finale” where it threaded its way between Saturn and the planet’s inner rings. That final set of maneuvers provided maximum information regarding Saturn. Children could read some amazing Cassini facts at: Cassini Quick Facts.