New Moon
The moon is between the earth and
the sun, and the side of the moon
we can’t see is all in shadow.
Full Moon
The side of the moon that we can see
is all lit up by the sun’s light.
Lunar Eclipse
This happens when the earth is between the sun
and the moon. The full moon becomes dark as it
passes through the earth’s shadow. Check the
news to see if it can be seen where you live.
Solar Eclipse
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January 2
Today is Betsy Ross’ birthday.
She designed the first United States flag
with 13 stripes and 13 stars.
How many stripes and stars are
on the flag now?
January 4
Louis Braille developed a way for blind people
to read. He spent eight years designing letters
people could feel. Braille letters are made of
raised dots on paper. Blind people read
by feeling these letters with their fingers.
January 13
The month of January is National Eye Care
Month. Think about some ways you can take
care of your eyes. Count the number of people
in your class with blue, brown, or another
eye color. Make a graph on what you find.
January 15
This happens when the moon is between the
sun and the earth, and the moon blocks the
sun’s light. Check the news to see if it can be
seen where you live.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was born
on this day. He wanted all people to be
treated fairly, despite their differences.
Meteor Shower
January 16
Meteors are tiny rocks that come from a comet’s
tail. They can be as small as a grain of sand or
as big as a marble. These tiny rocks burn up
high in the sky leaving a bright streak of light.
Nearly 200 years ago, the first bicycle was
invented in Germany. The first bicycle
didn’t even have pedals! Riding a bicycle
is a great way to exercise.
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January 17
Today is Benjamin Franklin’s birthday.
He experimented with electricity.
How do you use electricity in your home?
January 23
February 2
Today is Groundhog Day in the United States.
People say that if the groundhog comes out
from his burrow and sees his shadow, there
will be six more weeks of winter weather.
Listen to the news today to find out if the
groundhog saw his shadow.
February 4
Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female
doctor in the United States on this day.
Is your doctor a man or a woman?
Ask some of your friends this question.
On this day in 1902, Charles Lindbergh
was born. He was a famous aviator who flew
his airplane across the Atlantic Ocean.
Have you ever flown in an airplane?
Can you find the Atlantic Ocean on a map?
January 25
February 6
The Chinese New Year begins at the time of
the new moon sometime between
January 1st and February 19th.
Each new year has an animal symbol.
Do you know the symbol for this year?
Babe Ruth, a famous baseball player,
was born on this day. He hit 714 homeruns,
or homers, during his career.
Do you play baseball?
January 28
January is National Thank You Month in the
United States. Think of someone that you
would like to say thank you to, and tell them.
February 7
Today is the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
She wrote Little House on the Prairie and
other books about her childhood.
January 29
February 11
On this day in 1924, a machine was invented
that made ice-cream cones. Before this time
people were only served ice cream in dishes.
The first hospital in America began on
this day around 250 years ago.
It was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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February 12
March 2
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president
of the United States of America, was born
in a log cabin in Kentucky on this day,
around two hundred years ago.
Dr. Seuss, whose real name was
Theodore Seuss Geisel, was born on this day.
Enjoy reading one of his books,
like Green Eggs and Ham.
February 13
International Pancake Day is in the month
of February. Did you have pancakes
for breakfast this morning?
February 17
March 4
Today is a special day to celebrate your
country’s national anthem or song. In the
United States we would sing the
“Star Spangled Banner.”
March 10
February is American Heart Month.
Take a walk or run today for good exercise.
Alexander Graham Bell invented the
telephone in 1876. On this day he sent
the first message to his assistant, Mr. Watson.
February 22
March 17
Today is George Washington’s birthday.
He was the first president of the United States.
Read George Washington’s Breakfast by Jean
Fritz to learn more about his life.
Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. People of Irish
descent celebrate their heritage today.
Everyone joins the celebration by wearing
green. Go outside and search for a four-leaf
clover, a symbol of this holiday.
February 23
February is Black History Month in the
United States. It began to help people recognize
contributions and achievements made by
African Americans. Read The Patchwork
Quilt by Valerie Flournoy.
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March 20
April 1
Celebrate the beginning of Spring by planting
something today. You can also celebrate by
taking a walk to find the signs of new growth.
Today is April Fool’s Day. Many people play
harmless practical jokes on each other,
a custom that is centuries old.
March 24
April 3
March is Women’s History Month. Find out
about a famous woman in history and share
your facts with a classmate.
The scientist Jane Goodall was born on
this day in 1934. She is known for her work
with African Chimpanzees.
March 25
April 6
On this day in 1954, the first color television
sets were manufactured. Any television before
that time had black and white pictures.
Today in 1909, Admiral Robert E. Peary
discovered the North Pole. Can you name
an Arctic animal that would be found
in that region?
March 28
April 13
The first washing machine was officially
created on this day over 200 years ago.
Before that time clothes were washed by hand.
Can you imagine how much time people
spent washing clothes?
Happy Birthday to Thomas Jefferson!
Not only was he the third president of the
United States, but he was also an inventor,
architect, and statesman. He was born
in Virginia almost 250 years ago.
March 30
The first pencil with an eraser on top was
officially made almost 150 years ago today.
Have you used a pencil today?
© Waterford Institute
April 17
Do you know why the adhesive bandage was
invented? In the early 1900s, Mr. Earl Dickson
was newly married, and his wife often cut or
burned herself in the kitchen. He invented
bandages that she could apply herself, so that
he wouldn’t have to worry about her.
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April 18
This is the day Paul Revere made his famous
“Midnight Ride” in 1775. He warned the
colonists that the British were coming.
This happened at the beginning of the
Revolutionary War, an important part
of early American history.
April 19
The microscope was first created by Dutch
eyeglass-makers over four hundred years ago.
A microscope is an instrument made of lenses
that makes small objects look larger.
April 22
Today is Earth Day. This is a special day to
promote clean air and water. This day helps us
remember to take good care of our environment.
Pick up litter in your own neighborhood.
April 24
On this day in 1926 the first seeing-eye
dog was used. These specially trained dogs
are used to help guide blind people.
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May 2
The first fire department was organized on
this day over two hundred years ago,
in New York. Visit your local fire department.
May 3
May is National Egg Month. Ask classmates
to tell you their favorite way to eat eggs.
Make a chart or graph to show this information.
May 4
On this day in 1776, invisible ink was used for
the first time on letters sent between America
and Europe. Make invisible ink by using lemon
juice or salt water and tooth picks as pens.
Write a short message, let it dry, and then hold
the paper over a lighted light bulb.
May 5
Cinco de Mayo is a celebration among the
Mexican and Latino immigrants to the United
States. It is celebrated today in memory of a
battle in Mexico when French
attackers were defeated. Today people enjoy
Latino music, art, dance, and food.
April 30
May 12
Did you know that paper was first made in
China around 105 A.D., almost 2,000 years ago?
The process was kept secret for over
five hundred years.
Florence Nightingale was born on this day
in 1820. She was a famous nurse.
She worked very hard to improve conditions
for people in hospitals, and has been called
the founder of modern nursing.
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May 14
June 5
Skylab, the first orbiting space laboratory,
was launched on this day in 1973.
Make a trip to the library to find out all
the facts you can about Skylab.
Today is the anniversary of the first hot-air
balloon flight. It took place in France
over two hundred years ago. Check out
Hot Air Henry by Mary Calhoun to read about a
cat who takes a ride in a hot-air balloon.
May 24
June 6
Today is the birthday of Gabriel Danie
Fahrenheit, a scientist who created the mercury
thermometer. The degrees on the customary
thermometer are named after him. Look at
the temperature today on a thermometer.
June 6th is National Yo-Yo Day. One yo-yo
champ was “Fast” Eddy McDonald who
completed 2,663 loops in three hours.
Try using a yo-yo today.
May 25
June 7
Have you ever written on a blackboard?
A Scottish teacher, James Pillans, invented
the blackboard so he could draw maps
for his students to see.
Did you know that french fries are not from
France? They were first created over
one hundred years ago in the country of
Belgium. The word “French” refers to the way
the potatoes are cut.
May 26
June 8
Sally K. Ride was the first American woman
in space. She was born on this day in 1951
in Encino, California.
This is the day that the vacuum cleaner was
officially created by I. W. McGaffey,
over one hundred thirty years ago. He called
it the “sweeping machine.”
May 30
June 11
Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday
of the month of May. It is a national holiday
honoring Americans killed in war. This is also
a time to remember other family members
who have died.
Jacques Yves Cousteau was born today
in 1910. He explored the ocean. He was also
an author, filmmaker, and inventor.
He created the aqualung, which allowed
people to explore underwater.
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June 12
Today is Anne Frank’s birthday. She was a
German Jewish girl who wrote in a diary for
two years, and later it was published.
Her story has become famous; it tells what
her life was like hiding from the Nazis
during World War II.
June 14
On this day in 1874, the first zoo opened in
the United States in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Plan a trip to your local zoo
and see if you can find any animals caring
for their young.
July 3
Flag Day is celebrated today. It is the day
that the United States adopted the official
design of the American flag. Many people
display the American flag on this day.
Count how many flags you see today.
In 1893, Josephine Cochrane won the highest
award at the Chicago World’s Fair for designing
a dishwashing machine. If you have a
dishwasher in your home, examine how it
works. This is one invention that has saved
a lot of time!
June 28
July 4
Have you eaten a tomato lately?
On this day in 1820, the tomato was proven
to be non-poisonous. Now it is a commonly
eaten fruit. Have a tomato and
lettuce salad today.
The United States Declaration of Independence
was signed on this day in 1776, and the
United States became a new nation.
We celebrate the Fourth of July with
parades, fireworks, barbecues, and other
outdoor activities.
June 29
During the month of June, International
Joke Day is celebrated. Here’s a joke to
share with a friend: “Knock-knock.
Who’s there? Wool. Wool, who?
Wool you let me in?”
June 30
Electric energy was first made available and
sold on this day in 1879. The first electric
company was the California Electric Light
Company organized in San Francisco. To save
energy, be sure to turn off the lights in your
house when they are not being used.
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July 2
July 5
Sylvester Graham, inventor of the graham
cracker, was born today. Enjoy a glass
of milk with a couple of graham crackers
for a snack today.
July 9
The inventor of the sewing machine, Elias
Howe, was born today. Notice the stitching on
your clothing. Do you know how to sew?
© Waterford Institute
July 13
Many inventions happen by accident. Did you
know that a popular breakfast cereal was invented
accidentally? A batter made of bran was being
mixed and some of it fell on a hot stove. It turned
into a crisp, thin flake and has been enjoyed as
a cereal ever since. Ask your friends what
their favorite cereal is. Make a graph to
chart the results.
July 17
August 2
Friendship Day is today. Play with a friend
today or make a new friend.
August 3
Nelson Mandela was born on this day in 1918.
He fought to obtain freedom for all people of
South Africa.
On this day in 1492, Christopher Columbus
sailed from Spain on his voyage to the new
world. After being at sea for 71 days,
Columbus and his crew saw land and thought
it was Asia. Columbus never knew he
had really reached America.
July 18
August 5
Have you ever heard your voice recorded?
On this day, over a hundred years ago,
Thomas Edison recorded the human voice
for the first time. Record your voice and listen
to what you sound like.
Traffic lights were first used on this day
in 1914 in Ohio. They had red and green lights
and buzzers. Count how many times you see
a traffic light today.
July 20
August 6
Neil Armstrong became the first human
to step onto the moon on this day in 1969.
Look at pictures of the moon today,
or if it is visible, notice the moon
in the sky tonight.
Have you ever been given medicine when you
were sick? Most likely you can thank Sir
Alexander Fleming because he discovered
penicillin. Today is his birthday.
July 30
August 16
Today is the birthday of Henry Ford, a car
manufacturer, who invented the moving
assembly line. The moving assembly line
allows workers to make things more quickly.
Gold was found in a new place on this day in
1896. Many people rushed to Klondike in the
Yukon of Canada, in hopes of making it rich.
What would you do if you found gold?
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August 17
The frontiersman and soldier Davy Crockett,
was born on this day over two hundred years
ago. Learn about Davy’s adventures by reading
a book about his life.
August 19
September is National Honey Month. Honey
has been used as a sweetener since ancient
times. Have a snack of bread and honey.
September 2
Today is National Aviation Day. We are lucky
to have airplane travel as a common way
of getting from one place to another.
Make a plane out of paper or balsa wood.
Labor Day is the first Monday in this month.
In the late 1800s, Peter J. McGuire of New York
had the idea of starting a holiday that would
honor working people. Write down three jobs
that you might like to have in the future.
August 21
September 10
Hawaii became the 50th state of the United
States on this day in 1959. Eat pineapple and
read about volcanoes on these islands.
National Grandparent’s Day is celebrated
during this month. This is a perfect time to visit
grandparents or to let them know how
important they are to you by writing a letter
or making a phone call.
August 28
On this day, about eighty years ago,
the first commercial was heard on the radio.
Write your own commercial to promote
a product you really like.
August 30
Thomas Edison officially created the first
motion picture machine on this day. It was
called a kinetoscope. A person was able
to watch a short motion picture through
a peephole on this device.
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September 1
September 11
The first newspaper cartoon was published on
this day in 1875. It took a full page and had
17 pictures. Create a comic strip of your own.
September 12
September is Library Card Sign-up Month.
Do you have a library card? If not, this is a
good day to get one. If you do have one,
this is a good day to use it.
© Waterford Institute
September 15
October 2
September is Celebrate National Hispanic
Heritage Month. This is a time to honor people
from Spanish-speaking countries.
Today is Universal Children’s Day.
It is a day to honor children worldwide.
Write to a child that lives in a different place
from you and begin a pen-pal friendship.
September 16
October 3
On this day almost four hundred years ago,
the Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower from
England. Write a journal page as though you
were on that ship.
October is the Month of the Dinosaur.
Dig up some new facts about your favorite
dinosaur or a dinosaur you would like
to know more about.
September 17
October 4
The International Day of Peace is celebrated
on the third Tuesday of this month.
It is a day devoted to encouraging peace
among all nations and people. Be a peacemaker
in your home and school today.
Russia launched Sputnik, the first artificial
satellite, in 1957 on this day, and the
Space Age was born! Sputnik orbited
the earth every 96 minutes.
September 18
October 8
Today is the birthday of the inventor of the
gyroscope, Jean Bernard Foucalt. He used the
gyroscope to show the earth’s rotation.
A gyroscope is a wheel mounted in a set of
rings that spins rapidly. He is also famous
for a pendulum that he designed.
The Great Chicago Fire began on this day
in 1871. The fire burned for about 39 hours.
Four square miles of Chicago
were left in ashes.
September 27
The first railroad track was laid on this
day in 1825. Have you ever been on a train
to get from one place to another?
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October 11
Fire Prevention week occurs in this month.
Ask your family to make a fire escape plan.
You might also want to talk about ways
to prevent fires.
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October 12
Today is Columbus Day. Christopher
Columbus landed in the New World in 1492.
He had three ships: the Niña, the Pinta,
and the Santa Maria. The first two ships
were each just 70 feet long. Measure this
on the playground.
October 21
This is the day Thomas Edison invented
the first usable light bulb. Examine the
various light bulbs in your home. Compare
their brightness, size, and shape.
Record what you find.
October 27
On this day in 1904 the first underground
and underwater railway in the world opened.
It became known as the New York Subway.
October 28
The Statue of Liberty in New York, a famous
American landmark, was dedicated on this
day over a hundred years ago. It was a gift
from France. It became a welcoming symbol
to immigrants coming to the United States.
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November 1
Today is National Author’s Day. Share your
favorite author with a friend. You can also be
an author today by writing your own story.
November 2
On this day in 1947, a plane called the
Spruce Goose flew for the first and last time.
It was the world’s largest airplane at that time.
Designed by Howard Hughes, it was built
of wood, had eight engines, and a wingspan
wider than a football field.
November 3
Today is National Sandwich Day because
it is the birthday of the Earl of Sandwich,
who invented the sandwich nearly
three hundred years ago. Have your favorite
sandwich for lunch today. Ask your friends
what their favorite kind of sandwich is and
graph the results.
November 8
National Chemistry Week is at this time
during the month of November. This is a good
time to get excited about science.
Ask your parents if they can help you
do a science experiment.
October 29
November 11
Here is an interesting fact about the first
light bulb. It only provided about 13 1/2 hours
of light. Be a detective and find out how long
the average light bulb lasts today.
Today is Veteran’s Day. This holiday celebrates
the ending of World War I in 1918. It is a day
to honor those who have lost their lives in war
and also to honor all those who have served in
the Armed Forces of the United States. Think
of one way you can say thank you to a veteran.
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November 12
December 3
November is National Native American Heritage
Month. Find out more about the early history
of the area where you live and which Native
Americans lived there. A great book to enjoy for
this celebration is Brother Eagle, Sister Sky:
A Message from Chief Seattle by Susan Jeffers.
Galileo invented the first telescope that
could be used for observing stars, planets,
and moons in 1609. It is an instrument
for making distant objects appear nearer
and larger.
November 13
December 5
Today is the anniversary of peanut butter.
It was invented by George Washington Carver
in 1890, and people have been enjoying it
ever since. List all the ways you can think
of to eat peanut butter.
Happy Birthday Walt Disney! He was born
on this day in 1901. Ask your friends which
Disney cartoon character is their favorite
and graph the results.
November 14
Happy birthday to Robert Fulton. He is the
inventor of the first successful steamboat, the
Clermont. He was born in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania in 1765.
November 19
National Children’s Book Week is celebrated
in November. Set aside a time to read your
favorite books in a comfortable place.
Invite others to join you.
Begin a list of books to share.
November 22
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated
on the fourth Thursday in November.
It is in remembrance of the first American
Thanksgiving in 1621, the year after the
Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. About fifty
Pilgrims and about ninety Native Americans
were at this first feast.
© Waterford Institute
December 6
Happy Birthday Marie Curie!
She was a French scientist and the first
woman to win the Nobel Prize.
December 7
On this day in 1945, the microwave oven
was officially created. What do you cook
in the microwave?
December 8
The first greeting card was created on this
day over one hundred fifty years ago. Cards are
given for many special events, such as
birthdays. Design your own greeting card for
the holidays.
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December 10
Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday,
occurs during the month of December.
Learn how to play the dreidel game today.
Learn more by reading Our Eight Nights
of Hanukkah by Michael J. Rosen.
December 13
This month is considered Bingo Birthday
Month. Play a game of Bingo with friends.
December 27
This is the birthday of Louis Pasteur.
He was born in Dole, France in 1822 and
became a famous chemist. He also
studied micro-organisms.
December 28
Over a hundred years ago, William Sumple
officially created chewing gum. He mixed
dried latex from trees in Central and South
America with a sweet syrup and added
flavoring. Find out the favorite kind of gum
family and friends enjoy. Graph the results.
December 31
Today is New Year’s Eve. It is a time to
celebrate the coming of the new year.
People usually like to think of resolutions,
or goals, for themselves. Write down one
of your goals for the new year.
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March
January
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June
May
July
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October
September
November
December
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