events

Dates to Remember in July

June 30, 2016 by Jenna

Even though I’m not overly fond of summer, July has always been one of my favorite months—my birthday being in July probably has something to do with it. Besides the obvious holiday in July, there are many other notable events to remember.

July 1, 1863, began the three-day battle of Gettysburg, a desperate attempt by General Robert E. Lee to relieve the strain on his own Confederate troops by invading the North. The battle became the turning point of the Civil War, in favor of the Union. I’ve always wanted to visit Gettysburg because being there and seeing it would help make history—which is not my strongest subject—come alive for me. Visiting the park could make a great field trip. Learn more about the events leading up to Gettysburg in American Republic.

July 8, 1776, four days after the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, was the first public reading of the Declaration. The National Archives and Records Administration displays a complete transcript of the Declaration on its website. Reenacting that day from 240 years ago by reading the document to your children would be a great way to celebrate our nation’s independence. Or you could imagine with your children what it would have been like to live through those events.

July 16 to July 20th, 1969, was the historic space journey of Apollo 11. There are many activities you can do with your children to celebrate Moon Day, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like to stand where Neil Armstrong stood and contemplate the vastness and the silence of God’s creation.

July 28, 1866, marks the birth of Beatrix Potter, English author and illustrator of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Potter wrote and illustrated more than twenty children’s books. Interestingly, a previously lost Beatrix Potter book entitled The Tale of Kitty in Boots was discovered in 2013 and will be published this coming September.

Also on July 28, in 1858, William Herschel—a British magistrate in India—began using people’s fingerprints to authenticate documents. His use of fingerprints eventually opened the door for the use of fingerprints in solving crimes. For a fun hands-on experiment with fingerprints, try this activity!

On July 31, 1790, Samuel Hopkins was issued the first patent in the United States. Hopkins had developed a process for creating potash, an ingredient in fertilizer. Since Hopkins’s patent, more than 6 million patents have been issued—that probably includes several kitchen sinks!

What other event would you add to this list? Comment and let us know what else is going on in July!

Remember These Dates in May

April 28, 2016 by Meredith

It’s not often that the name of a month can also be used as another part of speech. In fact, I think only three months qualify—May (verb), March (verb), and August (adjective). So here’s my wish for you: may your month of May be filled with wonderful possibilities! Here are a few celebrations for your family to add to your list.

May 5

Alan Shepard entered space in 1961. He was the first American astronaut to do so. His space flight on a Mercury spacecraft lasted less than sixteen minutes, but it proved to be a successful step toward our country’s future voyages to the moon. Learn more about Alan Shepard and his contribution to our space program.

May 8

It’s mothers’ special day! Mothers everywhere deserve recognition for giving the gift of life. And having a godly mother is a special blessing from the Lord. Have you been blessed by having a “Titus 2 woman” in your life? Thank (or remember) her on this day with your words and actions.

May 10

Completion of the transcontinental railroad took place this day in 1869. Civil War veterans, Irish immigrants, and Chinese immigrants built a railroad track that would connect our nation. One team (Union Pacific) worked its way west while the other team (Central Pacific) pushed east. They met in Promontory Point near Ogden, Utah. The transcontinental railroad brought change to the Great Plains as people and agricultural products moved easily across the grasslands, but the vast herds of buffalo the nomadic Indians depended on declined after that. Use this video to show your kids how the transcontinental railroad changed America.

May 12

Celebrate Limerick Day by creating a rhyme. Usually humorous in tone, a limerick consists of five lines and has a defined meter (often anapestic) and rhyming scheme (AABBA). The first line introduces a person and place and establishes the poem’s main rhyming scheme. Ask your kids to write their own limericks—just copy this example (by Eileen Berry and Dawn Watkins) from BJU Press Reading 4:

There was an old man from Pompeii
Who gave talks on volcanoes each day.
When the mountain erupted,
He got interrupted
And forgot what he wanted to say.

May 14

The Lewis and Clark expedition began on this date in 1804. Sent by President Jefferson, Meriweather Lewis and William Clark and their Discovery Corps set out to explore the regions of the Louisiana Territory, which our nation had purchased from the French. Beginning at the Mississippi River, the expedition traveled west and documented geography, peoples, and vegetation. See what date they reached the Pacific Ocean, and use this interactive lesson to teach your kids about this important expedition.

May 21

On this date Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881. During the American Civil War, Clara Barton saw a need to provide supplies and medical aid to people. Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” she used her skills to fulfill God’s command that we love our neighbors (Matthew 22:36–40). After the war, Clara traveled to Europe and learned about the International Red Cross organization that provided relief to the sick and wounded. An inspiring role model, Barton’s service to others reached global proportions when she was given presidential approval for the United States to join the Red Cross network. Learn more about her achievements and take a virtual tour of her home, which served as the headquarters of the American Red Cross.

May 24 & 27

Ever since studying Physics in high school, I have found bridges fascinating. Their history, beautiful designs, and construction amaze me. On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan. A little over fifty years later, California’s Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937, spanning San Francisco Bay.

Learn about John A. Roebling and how he and his family influenced the construction of both bridges.
See how the Brooklyn Bridge influenced America in this video.
Find tips for visiting the Golden Gate Bridge.
Learn about the history of the Golden Gate Bridge with these FAQs.

May 30

Today we honor those in the armed services who gave their lives for us so that we could be free. Taking time to reflect on their sacrifice as well as the sacrifice of their families should make us grateful. Use this blog post to teach about the history of Memorial Day and find ways your kids can participate in this holiday.

What observances are you adding to this list? Let me know in a comment below!

March Events

February 25, 2016 by Ben

The month of March is full of memorable events you can include in your homeschooling. Check out these highlights.

March 2, 1836

Texas declared independence from Mexico. Texans had been fighting small garrisons of Mexican soldiers since October of the previous year. The Texans disagreed over the purpose of their fighting. Some wanted Mexico to return to an earlier, less restrictive constitution. Others were interested in independence. When the Mexican central government dispatched an army under the leadership of General Santa Anna in February, the rebels began to unify by establishing the Republic of Texas. The Battle of the Alamo was underway while the Texans were declaring independence. I enjoyed visiting the Alamo in San Antonio with my family when I was homeschooled.

March 10, 1876

Alexander Graham Bell placed the first telephone call in the history of the world. It was to an assistant in the next room. Among the most prolific communication technology inventors, Bell used creativity and determination to serve generations. His exercise of dominion allows us to create communication connections with ease. So let your children pick up the phone and call a family member or friend!

March 15, 44 BC

Julius Caesar was assassinated. (Every year I use the Shakespearean phrase to warn my children: “Beware the ides of March!”) Caesar’s death sparked the final civil war of the Roman Republic. At the conclusion of the war, the Caesar Augustus mentioned in Luke 2:1 established an empire and a general peace within the Roman Empire. God choose this period of military peace to send His Son and to begin building His church.

March 20, 1852

Harriet Beacher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Her depiction of the realities of slavery encouraged the abolitionists in the 1850s, but the supporters of slavery were enraged. Stowe’s work illustrates the power a novelist can wield in society. When we teach our children about this book and its effect, we should point out that the literary skills they’re learning, such as theme, plot, character, and so on, are useful and not a waste of time.

March 24, 1882

Robert Koch announced his discovery of the cause of tuberculosis, a previously mysterious disease. Koch had been developing methods for identifying organisms that cause diseases for Germany’s department of health. By isolating the bacterium that caused tuberculosis, he laid the groundwork for developing a treatment. In 1905, Robert Koch was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery. What a tremendous use of science to show love to one’s neighbor!

March 30, 1870

The Fifteenth Amendment went into effect, guaranteeing that the federal government would defend every citizen’s right to vote. This amendment to the Constitution was the final one in a group of three amendments that eradicated slavery and established protections for the rights of all citizens. In this election year, we can remember that it is the fifteenth amendment that protects our right to vote.

Is there a special event I missed? Let me know in a comment what your family is remembering this month.

Remember These Dates in January

December 29, 2015 by Meredith

As we think toward a new year and all that it has to offer, take time to set some goals. Personally, I love the truth of Lamentations 3:22–23, which provides hope for all 366 days of 2016! May you rejoice in new beginnings and take time to share your faith with others. And when you need something to recognize, remember these dates in January in your homeschooling.

January 1

The Ellis Island federal immigration station opened in 1892. This small speck of land in New York Harbor holds such an important place in our nation’s history because Ellis Island is the place where many immigrants first began to experience what it truly means to be an American—the freedoms, joys, hopes, and sacrifices. My own family’s history has connections to Ellis Island since my great-grandfather was one of the millions of people who started their journey here. Link this island to your kids’ understanding of history by completing a passenger search for your own ancestors or view a timeline of Ellis Island.

January 7

On this date in 1610, Galileo Galilei saw Jupiter’s largest moons. These four moons—Io, Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede—are called the Galilean moons. His discovery of these celestial bodies orbiting another planet convinced Galileo that Earth was not at the center of our universe. Make a telescope as a family and enjoy viewing the night sky. You’ll want to bundle up!

January 14

Henry Ford introduced the assembly line on this day in 1914, and processes have never been the same since! The principles of supply and demand probably played a major role in Mr. Ford’s implementation of the assembly line. He recognized that having someone become an expert at one task instead of trying to do many tasks would speed up the process of building a car. It would also make the cars more secure as workers focused on one part at a time. Henry Ford’s influence on the American auto industry was largely due to his success at increasing car production. Introduce your kids to the idea of an assembly line by setting one up as you make sandwiches or set the table for lunch!

January 15

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was born this day in 1929. Dr. King used his gifts as a speaker to gather support for civil rights legislation. He advocated nonviolent resistance to bring political pressure on cities and on the nation to change unjust laws and practices. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is probably best known for organizing the march on Washington where he delivered his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Sadly, despite Dr. King’s support of nonviolence, it was a violent time in our nation’s history. He himself was murdered on April 4, 1968. Talk to your kids about the dreams Dr. King mentioned in his speech. Have his dreams been achieved?

January 19

Edgar Allan Poe entered the scene on this date in 1809. Poe stands as the first American writer to influence others in poetry, fiction, and literary criticism. The short story genre in particular took a clearer shape as he contributed the principles of brevity (short enough to read in one sitting) and unity (producing a single emotional effect). Poe wasn’t a Christian and believed that beauty and truth are mutually exclusive, so he failed to appreciate a literary work’s ability to teach. His stories may be entertaining, but to me they communicate the hopelessness we all experience apart from Christ. Still, Poe’s works offer a good example for aspiring writers in terms of stylistic elements worth imitating. Have your older kids read aloud his most famous poem, “The Raven,” and discuss the philosophy he suggests in the questions posed by the narrator. How would our beliefs as Christians be different from his?

Check back next month when we highlight other dates to remember!

Remember These Dates in December

December 1, 2015 by Meredith

December may be the last month of our calendar year, but it’s definitely not the least important one. Whenever I think of this month, I see visions of steamy hot cocoa (with extra marshmallows), car rides at night to see Christmas lights, and conversations with loved ones around the dining room table.

Growing up, I spent most of my Decembers in California with my immediate family, enjoying palm trees, balmy breezes, and sunshine. Whatever your Christmas and the new year may bring you, I hope this season is one filled with the hope and joy that come through accepting God’s special gift—our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord!

December 3

Gilbert Charles Stuart entered the world on this day in 1755. You might be more familiar with his paintings than with his name. This American-born artist established his legacy by painting portraits of famous and influential leaders, including six United States presidents. Among the many notable people who sat for him were Thomas Jefferson, King Louis XVI, John Adams, Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, Martha Washington, John Monroe, George Washington, King George III, John Jay, and Benjamin West. View some portraits by Stuart and have your kids answer these questions.

• What physical features does Stuart emphasize in each painting either by its placement, size, or color?
• Why might the people have particular expressions on their faces?
• How are the paintings similar/different?

Your kids might even want to try sitting for their own portraits, so don’t forget to brush up on your art skills!

December 6

The 13th Amendment was ratified by the necessary number of states in 1865. This addition to the United States Constitution officially ended the slavery of all people throughout our country and any other place under its rule. Its adoption came about two years after Abraham Lincoln presented his Emancipation Proclamation. Take time to share the 13th Amendment and related documents with your kids.

December 7

The infamous attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on this date in 1941, leaving more than three thousand Americans wounded, dead, or missing. As a preteen, I met a Pearl Harbor survivor. I still remember listening to him recount “the day which will live in infamy.” When the attack began he rushed out of the mess hall and witnessed destruction all around. This event and others prompted America’s entry into World War II. It’s important that we remember our past so that we can learn from it and most importantly so that we learn to recognize God’s sovereign hand. Read survivor stories, view pictures, and learn about the impact of this event on our nation at the Visit Pearl Harbor website.

December 16

The Boston Tea Party flavored the waters of that city’s harbor in 1773. The British Parliament had placed a tax on this hot beverage for those living in the American colonies, but the colonists resisted taxation and regulation of trade. Their sentiments about the tea tax were clearly displayed when at midnight a group of men barely disguised as Mohawks boarded the Dartmouth and dumped all the cargo overboard. Their actions were peaceful considering that no one was injured and no property damage occurred, but were their actions right? That question might spark a good discussion with your teens about respecting authority and obeying established rules. For a younger group of kids, make this event relatable by brewing some of your favorite hot tea (mine’s Midnight in Paris) and settling down for a read-aloud session of Regina Silsby’s Secret War. Quiet time with tea and a historical adventure to read—that’s a win-win in my book!

December 25

Christmas Day celebrates the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God the Creator took on the flesh of His created beings to save us from our sins (1 John 4). We don’t know the exact day that Jesus was born, but this event is central to the gospel. One of my favorite family Christmas traditions is to read the account of Jesus’s birth from Luke 2. Assign everyone to read a portion of the Scripture passage or have small children create illustrations for the story as they listen. Focusing on the true meaning behind Christmas brings an inner peace and joy during a busy time of year.

December 27

Mathematician Johannes Kepler was born on this day in 1571. He formulated the three laws of planetary motion to explain the movements of the planets in our solar system. Kepler used detailed data to define the true shape (an ellipse and not a circle), size, and speed of planetary orbits. Have a Spirograph^® session and make different geometric shapes to celebrate today. I think the images you come up with could make awesome Christmas thank-you cards!

Wishing you all the best for a joyful Christmas and a peaceful new year!

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