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John F. Kennedy

TFK Library

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 and promoted public service.…

United States

A New Trade Deal

August 29, 2018

President Donald Trump is working to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA is a trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It took effect in 1994. NAFTA allows for free trade in North America. It…

Polar Bear

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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

TFK Library

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…

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Technology

France Makes the Call

August 1, 2018

French children 15 and under will no longer be allowed to bring smart devices to school. Lawmakers in France voted July 31 to ban cell phones, tablets, and other Internet-connected devices from school grounds. The ban will start in September. …

Health

Snack Recall

July 25, 2018

Say goodbye to certain kinds of Goldfish, Swiss Rolls, and Ritz crackers. The snacks have been recalled. This is due to possible salmonella contamination. People infected with salmonella often have nausea, fever, and abdominal pain. Why were the products pulled…

Time Off

TFK Kid Reporter Summer Book Reviews

July 20, 2018

TFK Kid Reporters Erin Jeon and Luke Joachim review two of the summer's exciting new releases. Book Title: Eleanor Roosevelt, Fighter for Justice Author: Ilene Cooper Reviewed by: TFK Kid Reporter Erin Jeon Genre: Biography Number of…

TFK Library

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt

July 17, 2018

Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858—January 6, 1919) was the 26th president of the United States. He pushed the country toward progressive social and economic reforms. Theodore Roosevelt stares down from Mount Rushmore, in South Dakota. He is alongside giants: George…

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TFK Library

Susan B. Anthony

July 12, 2018

Susan B. Anthony (February 15, 1820—March 13, 1906) was a pioneer in the movement for women’s suffrage in the United States. She laid the foundation for the 19th Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony…

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Abraham Lincoln

July 12, 2018

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809–April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States. He led the country through the Civil War and worked to end slavery. He was assassinated early in his second term. Abraham Lincoln was born…

United States

A New Supreme Court Nominee

July 11, 2018

President Donald Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to be the next person appointed to the United States Supreme Court. If confirmed, Kavanaugh will replace Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court on June 27. Trump announced…

Environment

Changing the Tide for Coral Reefs

July 9, 2018

Hawaii lawmakers are on a mission to save coral reefs. On July 3, Hawaii governor David Ige signed a bill to help. It bans sunscreens containing chemicals that are harmful to reefs. It is the first bill of its kind…

United States

Justice Kennedy Retires

July 2, 2018

Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, is retiring. He made the announcement last week. Kennedy is one of the nine United States Supreme Court justices. He has been a justice for three decades. He joined the court in 1988. “It…

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World

Soccer Excitement

June 18, 2018

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is off to a roaring start. The international soccer competition is held every four years. It lasts for a month. This year, the competition is held in Russia. The opening games were played on June…

Video

Arts

Bridging the Arts Gap

June 14, 2018

Jayden Hairston was frustrated. More than anything in the world, he wanted to learn how to sing. His elementary school in Yonkers—just north of New York City—didn’t offer the music instruction he needed. So he begged his parents to sign…

Benjamin Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin

June 14, 2018

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706—April 17, 1790) was a scientist, an inventor, a writer, and a statesman. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Benjamin Franklin was born January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. At the…

World

Live from Kakuma

June 7, 2018

A tent is up. The stage is set. Speakers have polished their presentations. It’s all part of the preparation for TEDxKakumaCamp, which takes place Saturday, June 9, in a schoolyard at Kakuma refugee camp, in Kenya. The conference is the…

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portrait of Jacob Riis

TFK Library

Jacob Riis

June 7, 2018

Jacob Riis (May 3, 1849—May 26, 1914) was a photojournalist who documented the lives of poor New Yorkers in the 1890s. He published the photographs in his book How the Other Half Lives. The pictures shocked Americans and inspired a…

portrait of Thomas Jefferson

TFK Library

Thomas Jefferson

May 25, 2018

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743–July 4, 1826) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He drafted the Declaration of Independence, served as the country’s first secretary of state, and was elected the third U.S. president. As president,…

Health

Bug Off

May 23, 2018

For many Americans, spring and summer mean more time outdoors­—and lots of bugs. In fact, diseases spread by insect bites have tripled in the United States in recent years. That’s according to a new report by the Centers for Disease…

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