Author: Lisa Mungovan

On June 19th 1865, the last enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free. That day in United States history, now known as Juneteenth, marked independence for all. Learning more about slavery helps us understand the importance of emancipation, and inspires us to treat all humans equally, and with respect.

Kelechi Ezihie must really really love golf. Last week, he started playing golf at 6 pm on Sunday, and finished 36 hours later. He had only planned to play for 24 hours, to set a world record, but changed his goal after finding out a Norwegian man had just completed a 32-hour marathon game.

Grace and Glory Animals, an animal education zoo in New York, has lost a wallaby. The kangaroo-like marsupial, named Mac, escaped on Sunday, but is hiding. The zoo is asking for people to be extra careful on the roads, and to let them know if anyone spots Mac hopping around town.

Look at your fish tank. Is it full of algae, or cloudy water? Give it a thorough cleaning, for Clean Your Aquarium Day. You might feel like getting a new aquarium, which would also be appropriate since it’s Splurge Day. I suggest cleaning the aquarium, and splurging on a new decoration for your fish!

Hmm. Something seems fishy today. It’s Go Fishing Day and International Sushi Day, so if you catch a fish, you can eat it raw. You could also be nice to the fish, and release it. You don’t even need to catch a fish, to enjoy relaxing in nature. In fact, the fish prefer it!

Don’t panic about what to have for dinner. It’s International Picnic Day, so you can literally go out to eat. Simply bring some sandwiches and water. Nature is the star of the meal! Actually, you can panic anyway, because it’s also International Panic Day. Just remember to calm down after your moment of stress!

Today is World Crocodile Day, but it includes all alligators and crocodilians, especially endangered ones. Do you know how to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Alligators have a broad, u-shaped snout. Crocodiles have narrow, pointy snouts, and show their bottom teeth when their mouth is closed. See you later alligator!

Today is Eat Your Vegetables Day. One way to get excited about eating veggies, is to grow your own! It’s not too late to plant a summer garden. In the meantime, visit a farmer’s market. If you don’t like veggies, dip them in something yummy, or puree them and bake them into brownies!

Tessellations are geometric patterns with no gaps, where the same shapes are repeated over and over again. It’s Tessellation Day! You can find tessellations in nature, like honeycombs, or in sports, like on your soccer ball. Create your own tessellation out of tasty pastries, since it’s also Apple Strudel Day and Cherry Tart Day!

Students from the Anaheim Elementary School District in California, gathered with their families, firefighters, police officers, city officials, and a fitness education group, to break a world record. A total of 1,423 people participated in a massive game of Red Light Green Light. What a fun way to run into the record books!