January 14

On this day in 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to fly in an airplane while in office. He flew from Miami, FL, to French Morocco in Africa where he met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Mr. Roosevelt was an interesting man who is the only president to serve more than two terms in the White House as president. How many years is one term in office for the president of the United States?

January 13

On this day in 1957, The Wham-O Company developed a toy that most of us have used, some more successfully than others. There are a number of theories on how this toy came to be, but the most popular is that in the 1920's college students invented a game that involved tossing metal pie tins. The metal pie tins were later changed to plastic and the first one was marketed as the Pluto Platter. The name was changed and the company sold the rights to this toy to Mattel. These toys are still being used today by people and in dog competitions. What name do we know the Pluto Platter by?























Answer: Frisbee

January 12

On January 12, 1915 Congress passed legislation making a National Park in Colorado named after a major mountain range. These mountains start in Canada and go all the way to New Mexico (more than 3,000 miles).

These mountains were formed somewhere between 80 and 55 million years ago. Since then erosion has changed them into what they are today. Much of this area is protected by our goverment and is a great source of tourism.

Did you know that on one side of these mountains water flows to the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, to the Pacific? The place where the division occurs is called the Continental Divide.

Do you know the name of these famous mountains?
















Answer: The Rocky Mountains

January 11

On this day in 1878, a product that can be found in every school cafeteria in our country, was first delivered in glass bottles to homes. This product is a liquid, usually white, but can be found flavored in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. It is usually from a cow and is used to make cheese, butter, and ice cream. Did you know that humans are the only living creatures that continue to drink this item on a regular basis after they have become adults? The advertising people have been using celebrities to show a mustache made from this product. Do you know what drink we're referring to?















Answer: Milk

January 10

Ray Bolger was born on this day in 1904. He was an actor who played the role of the Scarecrow in the musical production of a book by L. Frank Baum. In addition to the Scarecrow, there was a Lion, a Tin Man and a girl named Dorothy who had a dog named Toto. Dorothy sang Over the Rainbow in the movie and the Scarecrow sang a song named If I Only had a Brain. Do you know the name of the movie?


















Answer: The Wizard of Oz

January 6

Today is the anniversary of Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier. He was born on January 6 in 1745 to a family of paper manufacturers. He had 15 brothers and sisters! One of his brothers was an inventor who dreamed of building a balloon that would transport people! Together they built the first hot air balloon using cloth, three layers of paper, and fishing net. The first time they sent living creatures into the air, they sent a sheep, a duck, and a rooster. The first time they sent a person up in a balloon, it was near a European capital. Do you know which important city they were in at the time?

Hints:
This city is on the Seine River.
It is considered one of the world's leading fashion and arts centers of the world.
It is Europe's 10th greenest city and by 2020, it will be one of the world's wealthiest cities.
It is one of the most expensive places in the world to live.
The Eiffel Tower is in this city.
This city is known as the City of Lights.
The Louve Museum is located there (the famous painting of the Mona Lisa is housed there).















Answer: Paris, France

January 5

On this day in 1974, the temperature in Antartica reach 59 degrees. For today, we want to know if Antartica is the North or South Pole. While you think this over, here is some additional information about Antartica:

Almost all of Antarctica is covered by ice (98%) that is at least 1 mile thick.

According to Wikipedia, Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents.

Antarctica is considered a desert, with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and far less inland.

There are no permanent human residents, but anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at the research stations scattered across the continent. Only cold-adapted plants and animals survive there, including penguins, seals, nematodes, tardigrades, mites, many types of algae and other microorganisms, and tundra vegetation.















The answer: The South Pole

January 4

On this day in 1896, the United States added its 45th state. Do you know which state it is?

Hints:

The state capital is Salt Lake City (where the average snowfall in the mountains nearby is 500 inches a year).

This state has five national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef.

The Jazz basketball team plays there.

This is the only states whose capital has three words in its name.

The federal government owns 65% of the land in this state.

This state has the highest literacy rate in the nation (meaning more people can read there than in any other state).

The middle of the first transcontinental railroad (the first railroad to go from one side of our country to the other) is located there.

The Great Salt Lake is located there. It is has no outlets for its water except evaporation and it is saltier than the ocean.

Jell-o is the official snack food of this state.

The book series The Great Brain is set in this state.
















The answer: Utah

January 3

On this day in 1959, the United States got its 49th state. Do you know which state was almost the last one to be added?
Hints:
The highest point in North America is Mount McKinley and it is located in this state.

Oil is very important to this state. Some people think that our country's largest oil field is located here. Right now, this state produces 25% of our country's oil production.

It is our largest state (Rhode Island would fit in this state 425 times).

One third of this state is within the Artic Circle.

Dog mushing is the official state sport.

The capital is Juneau.






















The answer: Alaska

1-2-2011

January is National Oatmeal Month. More oatmeal is eaten in January than any other month. Oats were thought to have been brought to the United States in 1602 and planted on islands off the coast of Massachuesetts. George Washington even planted oats. Oats are one of teh most important grains on earl. More oats are grown in Minnesota than any other state, but only 5% of the oats grown are used for human food consumption. Animals eat the rest! Can you guess which country produces more oats than the United States? Hint: Moscow is its capital.
















Answer: Russia

January 1

Today is the anniversary of her birth. Her name at birth in 1752 was Elizabeth Griscom. She was the 8th child in a family of 17 children!!! Her parents sent her to learn from an upholsterer (the person who covers furniture with fabric). She met a man there that she fell in love with, married him and took his last name. They went to church with George Washington and his family. Elizabeth, who had a nickname that we are more familiar with, has been credited with making the first American flag for George Washington. What name do we know her by?

















Betsy Ross