On this day every year, the sun rises so that its first rays shine in the door of the temple of the sun god Re in Abu Simbel. The temple was built by the ancient Egyptians, and this day was their annual holiday in honor of the sun god and sun goddess. Why do you think that the sun god was so important to the ancient Egyptians? Give three reasons. (The sun also shines directly in the door on Oct. 22, another major holiday for them.)

Heinrich Hertz was born in 1857. He was the first person to broadcast and receive radio waves, thus inventing the technology used for radio, television, cell phones, and all other broadcasts. The unit of frequency is named for him. If you could have only a radio, or a television, or a cell phone, but not have either of the others, which one would you choose? Why that one?

On this day in 1630, Indians introduced the Pilgrims to popcorn, the first reported time Europeans had eaten it. List some times and places you like to eat popcorn.

February 23:
American inventor Charles Martin Hall invented a cheap and efficient method to refine aluminum from ore in 1886. Before this, aluminum was more valuable than gold, but now it is used for many things that require a light, strong, inexpensive metal. Make a list of 7 things aluminum is used for, then decide which one is more important. Explain the reason for your decision.

In 1874, Major Walter Wingfield patented the first rules of outdoor tennis. Before this, it had always been played indoors, and there were few places to play it. Tennis, badminton, and volleyball are all played on a court with a net stretched across the middle. Which of these three sports is your favorite? Why that one?

The Tootsie Roll was invented in 1896 by Leo Hirshfield. What are four qualities you look for in a good kind of candy? (Hint: taste is one!)

February 24:
In 1208, St. Francis of Assisi began his order of Franciscans, dedicated to helping and serving the poor. He once said, "Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.” What do you think he meant by that?

Today five places adopted flags: Mexico in 1821, West Virginia in 1905, Maine and New Hampshire in 1909, and Estonia in 1918. Each flag uses colors and designs that symbolize the history or ideas of the people that use the flag. If you were to design a flag for your family, what colors and designs would you use? What would they symbolize?

February 25:
The first vacuum cleaner was patented by Hubert Booth in England in 1902. It was a huge machine, the size of a refrigerator, and was carried from house to house on a cart. People would pay to have the operators bring it to the door and use a very long hose to vacuum their houses. It took two people to operate. Cleaning up the house is a lot of work. What household job do you like the least? The most?

February is American History Month. If you could go back in time and witness one event in American history, which one would it be? Tell why you would want to see that event.

Our character trait for this month is cooperation. Tell about something you have done or read about that could not have happened without the cooperation of others.

February 26:
Today is the birthday of Grand Canyon National Park, which was established in 1919. What would be a good way to celebrate the birthday of this park, or of some other national park? Describe a birthday celebration you think would be appropriate.

Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919. If you could visit only one national park, which one would you choose to visit? Why that one?

Levi Strauss, the inventor of blue jeans, was born in 1829. Tell about your favorite outfit. Are jeans part of it?

February 27:
Marian Anderson, African-American opera singer, was born in 1902. She was the first African-American to sing in a leading role at an opera in Carnegie Hall. Many people like opera, some like musical movies or videos, but others don't, and prefer their music without video or acting. How do you feel about this? Give reasons for your answer.

In 1827, the first Mardi Gras was held in New Orleans, LA. Despite the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the people of New Orleans are determined to have Mardi Gras even if the city is not yet rebuilt. Why do you think they are so determined to have this holiday?

Related to the event in the prompt above: One feature of Mardi Gras is the fantastic costumes everyone wears. If you could wear any costume you wanted for a day, what costume would it be?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in 1807. He wrote many famous poems about the life and history of our nation, including the famous poem Hiawatha. Many of his poems told stories. What modern events could make stories told in poetry?

Here is a poem about Longfellow (see prompt above):

The Arrow and the Song

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong
That can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.

What do you think Longfollow wanted to tell readers about friendship in this poem?

February 28:
Today, the Finns celebrate their national epic, the Kalevala, which tells in poetic form the legends of prehistoric Finland. If this was to be a day to celebrate a poem or story you particularly like, what poem or story would you choose to celebrate? Why do you like that poem or story so much?

Today is the birthday of the Euro. In 2002, 12 European nations decided to have only one form of money. Francs, marks, lira, guilders, krona, and several other forms of money ceased to be made. The countries did this to help make trade and travel among those countries easier and faster. The countries held a contest for designs for the new money. If the US had a contest to redesign all our money, what are some things you think the new bills or coins should have on them?

Most of the people of Curiepe, Venezuela, make their living fishing for sardines. Every year on this day, they have a funeral for the sardines they have caught during the previous year. The funeral serves to remind them of the need to protect the sardines from overfishing and pollution. Describe another ceremony or celebration that would help to remind people of the need to take care of the natural world.

Today is Bachelor Day, in which women are supposed to ask men for dates, or even to marry them. Do you think it is fair that women should not be able to ask men for dates except on special occasions? Give a reason for your answer.

February 29: (for future Leap Years)
Poet Howard Nemerov was born in 1920. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and served as Poet Laureate of the United States. He has said, "Poetry makes things happen, but rarely what the poet wants.” Why do you think he said this?

In 1930, the newly-independent nation of Hungary decided to become a monarchy, but did not choose a king or queen. Miklos Horthy, a Hungarian admiral who served in World War I, was chosen as regent, or temporary ruler, until a monarch could be found. He ruled as a dictator until 1944. Why do you think people might want to have a monarchy for a government, but not want a king? What disadvantages of any individual king might having a regent prevent? What problems might such a government form have?

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