#7: February 9-15
#7 “This Week in American History” Blog Series
Read the Introduction to the blog series…
This Week in History!
February 9, 1964 – The Beatles Take Over America!
Imagine millions of kids and teenagers screaming with excitement! That’s what happened when The Beatles, a British rock band, performed on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. Over 73 million people watched on TV, making it one of the biggest moments in music history! This event kicked off the “British Invasion,” where bands from England became super popular in America.
2. February 11, 1752 – The First American Hospital Opened!
Before hospitals, people mostly had to rely on home remedies and local doctors. But on February 11, 1752, the Pennsylvania Hospital opened in Philadelphia. It was started by Benjamin Franklin (yes, the guy with the kite and key in the thunderstorm!). This hospital helped care for sick people and taught new doctors how to help others.
3. February 12, 1809 – Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday!
One of the most famous presidents in U.S. history, Abraham Lincoln, was born on February 12, 1809 in a small log cabin in Kentucky. He grew up to become the 16th president, led the country during the Civil War, and helped end slavery. Kids loved his tall hat, and he even kept papers inside it! Listen to Episode 115: Abraham Lincoln or if you want a whole unit study about the Civil War – including content centered around 14 episodes about the Civil War – go here!
4. February 14, 1929 – The Discovery of Penicillin!
Did you know that one of the most important medicines ever was discovered by accident? On February 14, 1929, scientists introduced penicillin, the first antibiotic, which helps fight infections. Before this, even a small cut could be dangerous! Thanks to this discovery, doctors could treat illnesses better, saving millions of lives.
5. February 15, 1898 – The Mysterious Explosion of the USS Maine!
BOOM! On this day, the battleship USS Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. People weren’t sure what caused it, but many blamed Spain. This led to the Spanish-American War, where the U.S. fought Spain and won territories like Puerto Rico and the Philippines. The explosion is still a mystery today!
February 9 – FebrUARY 15
This Week in American History
Enjoy this printable resources featuring activity and coloring pages and a short history summary for each historical event. Remember, you can get this printable as well as the other upcoming resources in this series and many other bonuses by becoming a member on our Patreon platform.
