Author: Lisa Mungovan

In the United States, today is Presidents Day. It honors the first president, George Washington, and the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. They were both born in February, so their birthdays are celebrated right between the 2. Is your birthday in February? If you become president, we’ll celebrate you on Presidents Day also.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan, has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for 34 years, which helps cheer up kids with critical illnesses. For his 60th birthday, Michael decided to give a special gift to the program, by donating $10,000,000. That should help make a whole bunch of wishes come true!

Kids who are stuck in the Children’s Hospital in Colorado, might be missing out on fun in the snow. But a project called “Say Hi with a Snowman,” lets them still have fun. Patients draw their perfect snowmen on paper, and volunteers bring their designs to life, sending photos for the kids to enjoy.

Scientists are experimenting with a new type of bread flour, that helps fill you up. They added flour made from chickpeas, to regular wheat flour. After eating the chickpea-enhanced bread, volunteers felt fuller for longer, and had lower glucose levels. The healthier bread could help people lower their risk of obesity and diabetes.

Today is Lash Day. Eyelashes form a curtain of protection, to keep dirt and dust from getting into your eyes, which is why camels have such luscious lashes. Elephants have the longest eyelashes, at 5 inches long. Did you know, we all have harmless microscopic bugs living in our lashes? Tell them hello today!

Today is International Tug-of-War Day. It’s an ancient game of strength that used to be an Olympic sport, where 2 teams pull on a rope in opposite directions. The Vikings used to play tug-of-war over a fire pit! Give the winner a box of Thin Mints, because it’s also Chocolate Mint Day. Yum!

Scientists have discovered a new type of frog, that doesn’t make a sound. Found in the mountains of Tanzania, the little amphibians don’t croak, ribbit or peep. The Ukaguru spiny-throated reed frog, is the only known species of silent frogs. They were found by accident, while researchers were looking for a rare tree toad.

Today is Battery Day. Alessandro Volta built the first electrochemical battery in 18 hundred. Count all the things in your house that use batteries. Battery University experts have advice for charging your phone correctly. Remove it from the charger as soon as it’s near 100%, plug in a few times-per-day, and always keep it cool.

Happy World Whale Day! Whales are mammals that live in the ocean. They range in size from the 8-foot dwarf sperm whale, to the 98-foot blue whale, the largest creature that ever lived! Whales are endangered. Some species were nearly hunted to extinction. Whale songs can travel thousands of miles through the water!

Today is World Pangolin Day! Pangolins live in Asia and Africa. They are the only mammal with scales. The nocturnal animals can have tongues that are longer than their bodies! They curl into balls for protection, but it doesn’t work against humans. Pangolins are endangered, and are the most smuggled animal in the world.