The Teacher's Calendar School Year 2008-2009: The Day-by-Day Almanac of Historic Events, Holidays, Famous Birthdays and More!

307 Pages·2008·3.38 MB·English

by  Editors of Chase's

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
A KEY TO THE CHRONOLOGY ENTRIES
• Exact title of event
Presidential • ★ WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY. Dec 17. Presidential Proclamation
proclamations always issued for Dec 17 since 1963 (PL88-209 of Dec 17, 1963). • Legal authority for
recognition
Issued twice earlier at Congressional request in 1959 and 1961.
Religious holidays • ROSH HASHANAH or JEWISH NEW YEAR.Sept 29. Jewish holy day;
and observations observed on following day also. Hebrew calendar date: Tishri 1, 5769. • Corresponding dates in
Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of 10 days of repentance and spiri- non-Gregorian calendars
tual renewal. (Began at sundown of previous day.)
• Exact inclusive dates
Important dates • DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME. Mar 8–Nov 1. Begins at 2:00 AM. The of observances
to remember Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended the period of Daylight Saving
Time as originally outlined the the Uniform Time Act of 1966
(amended in 1986 by Public Law 99–359). Standard Time in each zone
is advanced one hour from 2:00 AMon the second Sunday in March
until 2:00AMon the first Sunday in November (except where state leg-
islatures provide exemption). Many use the popular rule “spring for- • Helpful hints for
ward, fall back” to remember which way to turn their clocks. remembering information
Sponsored events • NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH.Nov 1–30. To commemorate the
success of three kinds of adoption—infant, special needs and inter-
country—through a variety ofspecial events. For info: National Coun-
cil for Adoption, 225 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314-2520. • Purpose of event
Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Web: www.adoption • Sponsor’s name and
address
council.org.
Ethnic and • CHINESE NEW YEAR.Jan 26. Traditional Chinese lunar year begins at
ionbtesrenrvaatinocneasl sunset on the day of second New Moon following the winter solstice. • Formula for determining
The New Year can begin any time from Jan 21 through Feb 21. Begins Gregorian calendar date
the Year of the Ox. Generally celebrated until the Lantern Festival 15
days later, but merchants usually reopen their stores and places of
business on the fifth day of the first lunar month. This holiday is cel-
ebrated as Tet in Vietnam. See also: “China: Lantern Festival” (Feb 9).
Sports events • BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.Jan 8. Dolphin Stadium,
Miami Gardens, FL. The top two teams in college football in the nation • Place of observance
will vie for the national title. For info: BCS. Web: www.bcsfootball.org.
Historic anniversaries • SINKING OF THE TITANIC: ANNIVERSARY. Apr 15, 1912. The
“unsinkable” luxury liner Titanicon its maiden voyage from Southamp-
ton, England, to New York, NY, struck an iceberg just before midnight
Apr 14, and sank at 2:27 AM, Apr 15. The Titanichad 2,227 persons • Historical data in
aboard. Ofthese, 1,522 lives were lost. The remaining 705 people were capsule form
rescued from the icy waters offNewfoundland by the liner Carpathia,
which reached the scene about two hours after the Titanicwent down.
See also “TitanicDiscovered: Anniversary” (Sept 1).
Important birth • SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM: BIRTH AND DEATH ANNIVERSARY.
anniversaries Apr 23. England’s most famous and most revered poet and playwright.
He was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, Apr 23, 1564, and died
there on his birthday, Apr 23, 1616. Author of at least 36 plays and
154 sonnets, Shakespeare created the most influential and lasting body • Interesting biographical
background—including
of work in the English language, an extraordinary exploration of birthplace and date with
human nature. His epitaph: “Good frend for Jesus sake forbeare/To death place and date
digg the dust enclosed heare./Blese be ye man that spares thes
stones/And curst be he that moves my bones.”
Astronomical • EARTH AT PERIHELION.Jan 4. At approximately 10 AM, EST, planet
phenomena Earth will reach Perihelion, that point in its orbit when it is closest to
the sun (about 91,400,000 miles). The Earth’s mean distance from the • Useful detailed
sun (mean radius of its orbit) is reached early in the months of April information with time and
date of observance
and October. Note that Earth is closest to the sun during Northern
Hemisphere winter.
Copyright © 2008 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use.
The
Teacher’s
Calendar
The Day-by-Day Almanac of Historic Events,
Holidays, Famous Birthdays and More!
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DOI: 10.1036/0071547738
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside front cover
Welcome to The Teacher’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Calendar of Events: Aug 1, 2008–July 31, 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
August 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
September 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
October 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
November 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
December 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
January 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
February 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
March 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
April 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
May 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
June 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
July 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Some Facts About the United States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Some Facts About the Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Contact Information for State Governors and US Senators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
National Days of the World for 2008 and 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Some Facts About Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Some Facts About Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Calendar Information for 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Calendar Information for 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
2008 American Library Association Awards
for Children’s Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Coretta Scott King Awards and Honor Books 1970–2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Newbery Medal Winners and Honor Books 1949–2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Books 1957–2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
★
WELCOME TO THE TEACHER’S CALENDAR
Welcome to The Teacher’s Calendar Sponsored Events:We obtain information on these events
This edition of The Teacher’s Calendarcontains more than directly from their sponsors and provide contact information
4,500 events that you can use in planning the school calendar, for the sponsoring organization.
creating bulletin boards and developing lesson plans. Some Other Special Days, Weeks and Months:Information on
ofthe entries were taken from the 2008 edition ofChase’s Cal- these events is also obtained from their sponsors.
endar of Events, the standard reference book that for 50 years
has provided librarians and the media with events arranged Process for Declaring Special Observances
day-by-day. Hundreds ofentries were written especially for The How do special days, weeks and months get created? The
Teacher’s Calendar. For example, among the “Birthdays Today” president of the United States has the authority to declare a
entries are birthdays for authors of children’s books. We’ve commemorative event by proclamation, but this is done infre-
also added the dates of national professional meetings for quently. In 2000, for example, the president issued about 100
teachers, children’s book conferences and other events ofinter- proclamations. Many of these, such as Mother’s Day and Bill
est to professional educators. of Rights Week, were proclamations for which there was leg-
islation giving continuing authority for a proclamation to be
Types of Events issued each year.
Presidential Proclamations:We have included in the day- Until 1995, Congress was active in seeing that special
by-day chronology proclamations that have continuing author- observances were commemorated. Members of the Senate
ity with a formula for calculating the dates of observance and and House could introduce legislation for a special observance
those that have been issued consistently since 1995. The pres- to commemorate people, events and other activities they
ident issues proclamations only a few days before the actual thought worthy of national recognition. Because these bills
event so it is possible that some dates may vary slightly for took up a lot of time on the part of members of Congress,
2008–2009. The most recent proclamations can be found on when Congress met in January 1995 to reform its rules and
★
the Federal Register Online: www.access.gpo.gov. in the procedures, it was decided to discontinue this practice. Today,
text indicates presidential proclamations. the Senate passes resolutions commemorating special days,
National Holidays and State Days: Public holidays of weeks and months but these resolutions do not have the force
other nations are gleaned from United Nations documents of law.
and from information from tourism agencies. Technically, the It is not necessary to have the president or a senator declare
United States has no national holidays. Those holidays pro- a special day, week or month; many of the events in The
claimed by the president apply only to federal employees and Teacher’s Calendarhave been declared only by their sponsor-
to the District of Columbia. Governors of the states proclaim ing organizations.
holidays for their states. In practice, federal holidays are usu-
ally proclaimed as state holidays as well. Some governors also Websites
proclaim holidays unique to their state but not all state holi- Web addresses have been provided when relevant. These
days are commemorated with the closing of schools and URLs were checked the first week in January 2008. Although
offices. we have tried to select sites maintained by the government,
Religious Observances:Principal observances ofthe Chris- universities and other stable organizations, some ofthese sites
tian, Jewish and Muslim faiths are presented with background inevitably change or disappear.
information from their respective calendars. For dates of Jew-
ish observances, we refer to Arthur Spier’s Comprehensive Curriculum Connections
Hebrew Calendar. We use anticipated dates for Muslim holi- These sidebars were written by Denise Frank, Erin Muschla
days. There is no single Hindu or Buddhist calendar; therefore, and Judy Muschla, as well as the editor to give teachers ideas
we are able to provide only a limited number of religious hol- for integrating some of the events in The Teacher’s Calendar
idays for these faiths. into the classroom.
Historic Events and Birth Anniversaries:Dates for these
entries have been gathered from a wide range of reference Acknowledgements
sources. Most birth anniversaries here are for people who are Thanks to Bill and Helen Chase, the founders ofChase’s Cal-
deceased. Birthdays of living people are usually listed under endar of Events, who, as always, are wonderful inspiration.
“Birthdays Today.” Thanks to the staffs at the Chicago, Evanston and Skokie pub-
Astronomical Phenomena: Information about eclipses, lic libraries who helped in the process ofcompiling The Teacher’s
equinoxes and solstices, and moon phases is calculated from Calendar. Special thanks to our colleagues: Marisa L’Heureux,
the annual publication, Astronomical Phenomena, from the US Martha Best, Denise Fieldman, Gigi Grajdura, Terry Stone,
Naval Observatory. Dates for these events in Astronomical Phe- Jeanette Wojtyla, Amy Ng and Handel Low. And now I invite
nomena are given in Universal Time (i.e., Greenwich Mean you to join us in the celebration of the coming school year.
Time). We convert these dates and times into Eastern Standard
or Eastern Daylight Time. April 2008 Kathryn Keil, Editor
iv
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The Teacher’s Calendar, 2008–2009
Aug 1
COLORADO: ADMISSION DAY.Aug 1, 1876. Colorado became
the 38th state. Observed on the first Monday in August in Col-
orado (Aug 4 in 2008).
DIARY OF ANNE FRANK: THE LAST ENTRY: 65th ANNI-
August VERSARY.Aug 1, 1944. To escape deportation to concentration
camps, the Jewish family of Otto Frank hid for two years in the
warehouse of his food products business at Amsterdam. Gentile
friends smuggled in food and other supplies during their con-
2008 finement. Thirteen-year-old Anne Frank, who kept a journal dur-
ing the time of their hiding, penned her last entry in the diary
Aug 1, 1944: “[I] keep on trying to find a way of becoming what
I would like to be, and what I could be, if ... there weren’t any
other people living in the world.” Three days later (Aug 4, 1944)
Grüne Polizei raided the “Secret Annex” where the Frank family
was hidden. Anne and her sister were sent to Bergen-Belsen con-
centration camp where Anne died at age 15, two months before
the liberation of Holland. Young Anne’s diary, later found in the
family’s hiding place, has been translated into 30 languages and
AUGUST 1 — FRIDAY
has become a symbol of the indomitable strength of the human
Day 214 — 152 Remaining spirit. See also: “Frank, Anne: Birth Anniversary” (June 12). For
more info: www.annefrank.com.
AMERICAN HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST. Aug 1–Dec 15.
EMANCIPATION OF 500: ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1791. Vir-
American History Committee activities are promoted through-
ginia planter Robert Carter III confounded his family and friends
out the year, with the essay contest conducted in grades 5–8 begin-
by filing a deed of emancipation for his 500 slaves. One of the
ning in August. Essays are submitted for judging by Dec 15, with
wealthiest men in the state, Carter owned 60,000 acres over 18
the winners announced in April at the Daughters of the Ameri-
plantations. The deed included the following words: “I have for
can Revolution Continental Congress. Events vary, but include
some time past been convinced that to retain them in Slavery is
programs, displays, spot announcements and recognition ofessay
contrary to the true principles of Religion and Justice and there-
writers. Essay topic can be obtained from DAR Headquarters. For
fore it is my duty to manumit them.” The document established
info: Daughters ofthe American Revolution, Office ofthe Histo-
a schedule by which 15 slaves would be freed each Jan 1, over a
rian-General, Admin Bldg, 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC
21-year period, plus slave children would be freed at age 18 for
20006-5392. Phone: [phone]. Web: www.dar.org.
females and 21 for males. It is believed this was the largest act of
BENIN, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF: NATIONAL DAY.Aug 1. emancipation in US history and predated the Emancipation
Public holiday. Commemorates independence from France in Proclamation by 70 years.
1960. Benin at that time was known as Dahomey.
FIRST US CENSUS: ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1790. The first cen-
BURK, MARTHA (CALAMITY JANE): DEATH ANNI- sus revealed that there were 3,939,326 citizens in the 16 states
VERSARY.Aug 1, 1903. Known as a frontierswoman and com- and the Ohio Territory. The US has taken a census every 10 years
panion to Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane Burk was born Martha since 1790. The most recent one was taken in April 2000. For the
Jane Cannary at Princeton, MO, in May 1852. As a young girl liv- population ofthe US today, calculated to the minute, go to www
ing in Montana, she became an excellent markswoman. She went .census.gov/main/www/popclock.html.
to the Black Hills ofSouth Dakota as a scout for a geological expe- GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN MONTH.Aug 1–31.
dition in 1875. Several opposing traditions account for her nick- This is a celebration to support a happy entry into kindergarten
name, one springing from her kindness to the less fortunate, for the almost 2 million children in the US. Going to kindergarten
another attributing it to the harsh warnings she would give men is a life-changing event not only for the child, but also for parents,
who offended her. She died Aug 1, 1903, at Terry, SD, and was siblings and educators. Tips are provided to help smooth the way
buried at Deadwood, SD, next to Wild Bill Hickok. for an easy transition. For info: Katie Davis, PO Box 551, Bedford
CHILDREN’S VISION AND LEARNING MONTH.Aug 1–31. Hills, NY 10507. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: office@getready
A monthlong campaign reminding Americans of the important forschool.com. Web: www.getreadyforkindergarten.com.
role that good vision plays in a child’s ability to read and learn. INTERNATIONAL CLOWN WEEK.Aug 1–7. To call public
For info: College ofOptometrists in Vision Development, 215 W attention to the charitable activities ofclowns and the wholesome
Garfield Rd, Ste 210, Aurora, OH 44202. Phone: [phone] entertainment they provide. Annually, Aug 1–7. For info: Clowns
or [phone]. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.covd.org. ofAmerica International, PO Box C, Richeyville, PA 15358-0532.
CLARK, WILLIAM: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1770. Phone: (888) 52-CLOWN or [phone]. Web: www.clowns
Coleader with Meriwether Lewis on the Corps ofDiscovery expe- ofamerica.org.
dition that explored the Louisiana Territory from 1804–06. Clark KEY, FRANCIS SCOTT: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY. Aug 1,
was an able leader and contributed detailed maps and animal 1779. American attorney, social worker, poet and author of the
illustrations on the journey. A grateful President Thomas Jeffer- US national anthem. While on a legal mission during the War of
son made Clark brigadier general ofmilitia for the Louisiana Ter- 1812, Key was detained on shipboard off Baltimore, during the
ritory (1807–13) and superintendent ofIndian Affairs (1807–38). British bombardment of Fort McHenry on the night of Sept
Clark was also governor ofthe Missouri Territory (1813–20) and 13–14, 1814. Thrilled to see the American flag still flying over the
surveyor general for Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas (1824–25). fort at daybreak, Key wrote the poem “The Star Spangled Ban-
Born at Caroline County, VA, Clark died at St. Louis, MO, Sept 1, ner.” Printed in the Baltimore American, Sept 21, 1814, it was soon
1838. popularly sung to the music ofan old English tune, “Anacreon in
1
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The Teacher’s Calendar, 2008–2009
Aug 1–2
Heaven.” It did not become the official US national anthem until the first plant built to manufacture the uranium 235 needed to
117 years later when, on Mar 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover build an atomic bomb. The plant was largely completed by July
signed into law an act for that purpose. Key was born at Freder- of 1944 at a final cost of $280 million. By August 1945 the total
ick County, MD, and died at Baltimore, MD, Jan 11, 1843. cost for development of the A-bomb ran to $1 billion.
MELVILLE, HERMAN: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1819. SCOTLAND: ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FES-
American author, best known for his epic novel of the white TIVAL.Aug 1–9. Aberdeen. Talented young people from all areas
whale: Moby-Dick. Also an acclaimed poet of the Civil War, of the performing arts come from around the world to partici-
Melville wrote in “The March into Virginia”: “All wars are boy- pate in this festival. Began on July 30. Est attendance: 35,000. For
ish, and are fought by boys.” Born at New York, NY, Melville died info: Jennifer Phillips, Custom House, 35 Regent Quay, Aberdeen,
there Sept 28, 1891. Scotland, AB11 5BE. Phone: (44) (1224) 213-800. Fax: (44) (1224)
213-833. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.aiyf.org.
SOLAR ECLIPSE.Aug 1. Total eclipse ofthe sun. Visible in north-
east North America, Europe and Asia.
SPIDER-MAN DEBUTS: ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1962. Stan
Lee and Steve Ditko introduced a new superhero for Marvel
Comics in issue #15 of Amazing Fantasythat hit newstands in
August: Spider-Man. Nerdy teen Peter Parker is bitten by a
radioactive spider and soon discovers that he has the propor-
tionate strength and agility ofthe spider—as well as web-shooting
talents and “spidey sense.” The arachnid crime fighter got his own
MITCHELL, MARIA: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1818.
comic book in March 1963 and quickly became the center of a
An interest in her father’s hobby and an ability for mathematics
multimedia empire.
resulted in Maria Mitchell’s becoming the first female professional
astronomer. In 1847, while assisting her father in a survey ofthe SWITZERLAND: CONFEDERATION DAY.Aug 1. National hol-
sky for the US Coast Guard, Mitchell discovered a new comet and iday. Anniversary ofthe founding ofthe Swiss Confederation. Com-
determined its orbit. She received many honors because of this, memorates a pact made in 1291. Parades, patriotic gatherings,
including being elected to the American Academy ofArts and Sci- bonfires and fireworks. Young citizens’ coming-of-age ceremonies.
ences—its first woman. Mitchell joined the staffat Vassar Female Observed since the 600th anniversary ofSwiss Confederation was
College in 1865—the first US female professor of astronomy— celebrated in 1891.
and in 1873 was a cofounder ofthe Association for the Advance- TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: EMANCIPATION DAY.Aug 1.
ment ofWomen. Born at Nantucket, MA, Mitchell died June 28, Public holiday.
1889, at Lynn, MA. For more info: Maria’s Comet, by Deborah WISCONSIN STATE FAIR.Aug 1–10. State Fair Park, Milwau-
Hopkinson (Simon & Schuster, 0-689-81501-8, $16 Gr. K–3).
kee, WI. Began on July 31. Wisconsin celebrates its rural heritage
MOON PHASE: NEW MOON.Aug 1. Moon enters New Moon at the state’s most popular and most historic annual event. Fea-
phase at 6:13 AM, EDT. tures numerous midway rides, 28 free stages, hundreds of ani-
NATIONAL INVENTORS’ MONTH.Aug 1–31. To educate the mals, wide variety of food and beverages and top-name
American public about the value of creativity and inventiveness entertainment. (Call 24-hour recorded information line at 1-800-
and the importance ofinventions and inventors to the quality of 884-FAIR for up-to-date information.) Est attendance: 910,000.
our lives. This will be accomplished through specially designed For info: PR Dept, Wisconsin State Fair Park, PO Box 14990, West
displays for libraries, an interactive website and the placement of Allis, WI 53214-0990. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone].
media stories about living inventors in most of the top national, E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.wistatefair.com.
local and trade publications. Sponsored by the United Inventors WORLD WIDE WEB: ANNIVERSARY.Aug 1, 1990. The cre-
Association of the USA (UIA-USA), the Academy of Applied Sci- ation ofwhat would become the World Wide Web was suggested
ence and Inventors’ Digest. For info: Inventor’s Digest, PO Box this month by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN, the European Labora-
36761, Charlotte, NC 28236. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: info tory for Particle Physics at Switzerland. By October, he had
@inventorsdigest.com. Web: www.inventorsdigest.com. designed a prototype Web browser. By early 1993, there were 50
NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR/SUSSEX COUNTY FARM AND Web servers worldwide.
HORSE SHOW.Aug 1–10. Augusta, NJ. The state’s largest live-
BIRTHDAYS TODAY
stock and horse show also includes educational exhibits, amuse-
ments, commercial exhibits and entertainment. Located off Rt Gail Gibbons, 64, author, illustrator (Fire! Fire!), born Oak Park, IL,
206 and Plains Rd. Gate opens 10 AMFriday and closes 5 PMSun- Aug 1, 1944.
day. Est attendance: 200,000. For info: New Jersey State Fair, PO Edgerrin James, 30, football player, born Immokalee, FL, Aug 1, 1978.
Box 2456, Branchville, NJ 07826. Phone: [phone]. Fax:
[phone]. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.njstate AUGUST 2 — SATURDAY
fair.org.
Day 215 — 151 Remaining
OAK RIDGE ATOMIC PLANT BEGUN: 65th ANNIVER-
SARY.Aug 1, 1943. Ground was broken at Oak Ridge, TN, for ALBERT EINSTEIN’S ATOMIC BOMB LETTER: ANNI-
VERSARY.Aug 2, 1939. Albert Einstein, world-famous scien-
tist, a refugee from Nazi Germany, wrote a letter to US President
S M T W T F S
1 2 Franklin D. Roosevelt, first mentioning a possible “new phenom-
August
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 enon ... chain reactions ... vast amounts of power” and “the
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
2008 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 construction of bombs.” “A single bomb of this type,” he wrote,
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 “carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy
31
the whole port together with some ofthe surrounding territory.”
2
z z
The Teacher’s Calendar, 2008–2009
Aug 2–3
A historic letter that marked the beginning ofatomic weaponry.
Six years and four days later, Aug 6, 1945, the Japanese city of
Hiroshima was destroyed by the first atomic bombing of a pop-
ulated place.
COSTA RICA: FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS.Aug
2. National holiday. In honor of Costa Rica’s patron saint.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: OFFICIAL SIGN-
AUGUST 3 — SUNDAY
ING: ANNIVERSARY.Aug 2, 1776. Contrary to widespread
misconceptions, the 56 signers did not sign as a group and did Day 216 — 150 Remaining
not do so July 4, 1776. John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed
only draft copies that day, the official day the Declaration was AMERICAN FAMILY DAY IN ARIZONA.Aug 3. Commemo-
adopted by Congress. The signing of the official declaration rated on the first Sunday in August.
occurred Aug 2, 1776, when 50 men probably took part. George COLUMBUS SAILS FOR THE NEW WORLD: ANNIVER-
Washington, Patrick Henry and several others were not in SARY.Aug 3, 1492. Christopher Columbus, “Admiral of the
Philadelphia and thus were unable to sign. Later that year, five Ocean Sea,” set sail halfan hour before sunrise from Palos, Spain.
more signed separately and one added his name in a subsequent With three ships, the Niña, the Pintaand the Santa Maria, and a
year. (From “Signers ofthe Declaration...” US Dept ofthe Inte- crew of90, he sailed “for Cathay” but found instead a New World
rior, 1975.) See also: “Declaration ofIndependence: Approval and ofthe Americas, first landing at Guanahani (San Salvador Island
Signing” (July 4). For more info: Give Me Liberty! The Story ofthe in the Bahamas), Oct 12. See also: “Columbus Day (Traditional)”
Declaration ofIndependence, by Russell Freedman (Holiday House, (Oct 12).
0-8234-1448-5, $24.95 Gr. 5 & up). EQUATORIAL GUINEA: ARMED FORCES DAY. Aug 3.
DISABILITY DAY IN KENTUCKY.Aug 2. National holiday.
HOLLING, HOLLING C.: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY.Aug 2, GUINEA-BISSAU: COLONIZATION MARTYR’S DAY.Aug
1900. Author and illustrator (Paddle-to-the-Sea;Newbery Honors 3. National holiday is observed.
for Seabirdand Minn of the Mississippi), born Holling Allison NATIONAL KIDSDAY.Aug 3. A day to celebrate and honor chil-
Clancy at Holling Corners, MI. Died Sept 7, 1973.
dren by spending meaningful time with them. Annually, the first
L’ENFANT, PIERRE CHARLES: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY. Sunday in August. For info: Natl KidsDay, KidsPeace Natl Cam-
Aug 2, 1754. The architect, engineer and Revolutionary War offi- paign HQ, 28 W 36th St, Ste 1103, New York, NY 10018. Phone:
cer who designed the plan for the city ofWashington, DC, Pierre (800) 25-PEACE. Web: www.kidsday.net.
Charles L’Enfant was born at Paris, France. He died at Prince NIGER: INDEPENDENCE DAY. Aug 3. Commemorates the
Georges County, MD, June 14, 1825.
independence of this West African nation from France on this
MACEDONIA, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF: date in 1960.
NATIONAL DAY. Aug 2. Commemorates the nationalist SCOPES, JOHN T.: BIRTH ANNIVERSARY.Aug 3, 1900. Cen-
uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1903. Also known as
tral figure in a cause célèbre (the “Scopes Trial” or the “Monkey
St. Elias Day, the most sacred and celebrated day of the Mace-
Trial”), John Thomas Scopes was born at Paducah, KY. An obscure
donian people.
24-year-old schoolteacher at the Dayton, TN, high school in 1925,
NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY.Aug 2. Mustard lovers across the he became the focus of world attention. Scopes never uttered a
nation pay tribute to the king of condiments by slathering their word at his trial, which was a contest between two of America’s
favorite mustard on hot dogs, pretzels, circus peanuts and all best-known lawyers (William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Dar-
things edible. The Mount Horeb Mustard Museum holds the row). The trial, July 10–21, 1925, resulted in Scopes’s conviction
world’s largest collection of prepared mustards and mustard “for teaching evolution” in Tennessee. He was fined $100. The ver-
memorabilia. Activities include mustard games, street music and dict was upset on a technicality, and the statute he was accused
lots ofgreat food (with mustard, ofcourse!). Join in the mustard ofbreaching was repealed in 1967. Scopes died at Shreveport, LA,
college fight song with the “POUPON U” marching band. Annu- Oct 21, 1970. For more info: The Scopes Monkey Trial: A Headline
ally, the first Saturday in August. Est attendance: 1000. For info: Court Case, by Freya Ottem Hanson (Enslow, 0-7660-1388-X,
Barry M. Levenson, Curator, The Mount Horeb Mustard Museum, $19.95 Gr. 8 & up) or www.umkc.edu/famoustrials.
100 W Main St, Mount Horeb, WI 53572. Phone: [phone]. SISTERS’ DAY.Aug 3. Celebrating the spirit of sisterhood—sis-
Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [email protected].
ters nationwide show appreciation and give recognition to one
Web: www.mustardmuseum.com.
another for the special relationship they share. Send a card, make
US VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK ESTABLISHED: a phone call, share memories, photos, flowers or candy. Sisters
ANNIVERSARY. Aug 2, 1956. Areas on St. John and St. may include biological sisters, sisterly friends, etc. Annually, the
Thomas in the Virgin Islands were established as a national park first Sunday in August. For info: Tricia Eleogram, 5112 Normandy
and preserve. On Oct 5, 1962, Virgin Islands National Park was Ave, Memphis, TN 38117. Phone: [phone] or (901) 755-
extended to offshore areas, including coral reefs, shorelines and 0751. Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [email protected].
sea grass beds. For more info: www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm.
BIRTHDAYS TODAY
BIRTHDAYS TODAY
Tom Brady, 31, football player, born San Mateo, CA, Aug 3, 1977.
Hallie Kate Eisenberg, 16, actress (Beautiful, The Miracle Worker), born Mary Calhoun, 82, author (High-Wire Henry), born Keokuk, IA, Aug
East Brunswick, NJ, Aug 2, 1992. 3, 1926.
James Howe, 62, author (the Bunnicula series), born Oneida, NY, Aug Troy Glaus, 32, baseball player, born Tarzana, CA, Aug 3, 1976.
2, 1946. Blaine Wilson, 34, Olympic gymnast, born Columbus, OH, Aug 3,
Michael Weiss, 32, figure skater, born Washington, DC, Aug 2, 1976. 1974.
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