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portrait of Frederick Douglass

History

Frederick Douglass

January 1, 2020

In the years leading up to the Civil War, Frederick Douglass (February 1818—February 20, 1895) was the most powerful speaker and writer of the abolitionist movement. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland. He was raised by…

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History

Fannie Lou Hamer

January 1, 2020

Fannie Lou Hamer (October 6, 1917—March 14, 1977) was a civil rights activist. She fought to expand voting rights for African Americans. Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, during a time of segregation. African Americans in the…

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Video

History

Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 1, 2020

Martin Luther King Jr. is considered one of history’s greatest activists. His leadership helped end segregation during the civil rights movement. When Martin Luther King Jr. was born, his parents, Michael and Alberta, gave him a different name from the…

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Ruby Bridges

History

Ruby Bridges

January 1, 2020

In 1960, Ruby Bridges (September 8, 1954—) walked through the doors of William Frantz Elementary School, in New Orleans, Louisiana. By doing so, she became the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the Southern United States.…

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John F. Kennedy

History

John F. Kennedy

September 6, 2018

John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917—November 22, 1963) was the 35th president of the United States. While in office, he led the country though several international crises. He also worked to achieve major civil rights reforms. But Kennedy’s presidency was…

Polar Bear

Earth Science

What is Global Warming?

August 28, 2018

Earth’s climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. As a result, storms and droughts are becoming more intense. Temperatures are rising. Polar ice caps are melting. This is causing oceans to rise. Low coastal areas are flooding. Animals are losing…

luminous mushrooms

Earth Science

What Is Bioluminescence?

August 24, 2018

Fireflies twinkle in a field. Mushrooms illuminate a dark forest. Colorful sea creatures light up the ocean. These natural light displays come from bioluminescent creatures. Bioluminescent organisms can produce their own light. Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction. It takes place…

Earth Science

What Are Magnets?

August 21, 2018

What do compasses, fans, and high-speed trains have in common? They all use magnets to function. Magnets are rocks or metals that create an invisible field around themselves. This field attracts other magnets and certain metals. The presence of a…

Weather

What Are Storms?

August 16, 2018

A storm is a powerful disturbance of the atmosphere. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes are types of storms. Storms are a common event here on Earth. They occur on other planets, too. There are about 16 million thunderstorms worldwide each year.…

Video

Earth Science

What Are Volcanoes?

August 14, 2018

Take a bottle of soda. Shake it really hard. Gas bubbles will form inside, causing a buildup of pressure. Twist the cap off. Pressure will release from the bottle. Soda will shoot everywhere. A volcanic eruption works much the same…

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