Author: Lisa Mungovan

The 18 93 World’s Columbian Exposition featured an exciting new ride, invented by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr! Yep, he created the first Ferris Wheel! Jake “Paco” Navarro set a world record, by riding one for 53 hours straight. The tallest Ferris wheel ever is being built in Dubai. It’ll be 689 feet high! Happy Ferris Wheel Day!

Today is No One Eats Alone Day. If you see anyone sitting by themselves, invite them to join your group, or just sit down next to them. Does your cafeteria have a table where kids can go to find a lunch buddy? Suggest one, so that no one ever has to eat alone!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Saint Valentine was a priest put to death in the third century, but legends vary as to the reason why. His feast day evolved into a celebration of love in the Middle Ages. The best reason to celebrate today is to show appreciation to people in your life. And to eat chocolate!

Chitetsu Watanabe of Niigata Japan, will celebrate his 113th birthday next month with a new title. He is officially the oldest living man! He said his secret to long life is to “not get angry and keep a smile on your face.” The oldest woman is also in Japan. Kane Tanaka is 117 years old!

If you visit the Lucky Candy Deli, in New York City, you might get to exchange your math skills for some goodies. Ahmed Alwan has been asking his customers to solve simple math problems. If they get the right answer, he gives them 5 seconds to grab whatever they want for free!

How would you like to get a grade, for planting trees. A law in the Philippines, requires all students to plant 10 trees before they can graduate! The Graduation Legacy For the Environment Act, makes sure that students take a part in protecting their environment and helping to fight climate change. Hooray for more trees!

Today is World Radio Day. Before TV, families used to listen to radio shows together. It’s great for new music. But radio is important for more than entertainment. In 19 46, United Nations Radio was established to help connect the world. Radio still reaches parts of the world, that don’t have internet service or television signals.

Today is Get A Different Name Day, so it’s a chance to try out a new nickname! You could make a new character name in a role playing game too, or pick out your next user name. It’s also Tortellini Day, a fun type of filling-stuffed pasta, that looks like a belly-button!

The Statue of Liberty is submerged up to her head in Lake Mendota. At least that’s what it looks like! The University of Wisconsin- Madison placed a giant inflatable top-half of Lady Liberty’s head, along with her hand holding the torch, on the frozen lake. The prank has been a tradition since 19 79.

Astronomers have been watching the supergiant star Betelgeuse, wondering if it might collapse. It’s been getting dimmer over the last few months, which could mean it’s getting ready to go supernova. A supernova explosion would be visible during the day, and be brighter than a full moon for several weeks!