Week of Events
Today is International Children’s Book Day!
Today is International Children’s Book Day! Did you know? Children’s books are a fairly new innovation – prior to the 1700s or so, books for children tended to be strictly educational in nature. And, as printing became more economical, children’s books began booming in the 1800s. Some of the all-time best-selling American children’s books are […]
On April 4, 1887, the first woman mayor was elected in the United States as Susanna M. Salter won the election in Argonia, Kansas
On April 4, 1887, the first woman mayor was elected in the United States as Susanna M. Salter won the election in Argonia, Kansas. Salter was passionate about the temperance movement and when local men nominated her for mayoral candidacy as a joke, the 27-year-old mother of four staggered them by winning 2/3 of the vote. Scrutinized […]
Establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps
On this day in 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established to organize young, unemployed American men to work in America’s parks and forests. In addition to providing jobs for the unemployed, the program led to a greater appreciation and awareness of America’s wilderness. Did you know that over the course of […]
This evening marks the beginning of Passover for Jewish communities around the world. The holiday commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt, as described in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
This evening marks the beginning of Passover for Jewish communities around the world. The holiday commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt, as described in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is traditional for Jewish families to have seder dinners during Passover – each of the six foods in a seder dinner has a symbolic meaning […]
On this day in 1918, First Lady Betty Ford born in Chicago, Illinois
On April 8, 1918, First Lady Betty Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois. During her time as First Lady, Ford brought special attention to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as breast cancer awareness. Having faced addiction and breast cancer herself, Ford made the personal public to reduce stigma around these issues. Did you know? […]