#22: May 25-31

May 26, 1864 – Montana’s Big Day: How It Became a U.S. Territory”

On May 26, 1864, something exciting happened—President Abraham Lincoln signed a special law that created the Montana Territory. This meant that Montana became an official part of the United States, even though it wasn’t a state just yet. Back then, many people were moving west to look for gold and start new lives, and Montana became a popular place for adventurers and families.

Fun fact: The name “Montana” comes from the Spanish word montaña, which means “mountain.” That makes sense, because Montana is full of big, beautiful mountains!

May 29, 1848 – “Welcome, Wisconsin! The 30th State Joins the U.S.”

On May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the United States—what an exciting day! Back then, many people were moving to Wisconsin because of its rich farmland, thick forests, and lots of clean, sparkling lakes. It was a great place to live and grow food. Today, Wisconsin is especially famous for its dairy farms and is often called “America’s Dairyland.” That means it’s one of the best places in the country for raising cows and making dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese.

Fun fact: Wisconsin makes more cheese than any other state in the U.S., and people who love their cheese there are proudly called “cheeseheads”!

May 29 1977 –  “Janet Guthrie: Racing into History at the Indy 500!”

On May 29, 1977, Janet Guthrie made history by becoming the first woman ever to race in the famous Indianapolis 500! This exciting event is one of the biggest and fastest car races in the world, and thousands of people watch it every year. Janet trained hard, stayed focused, and showed incredible skill behind the wheel. Her amazing achievement inspired many others to follow their dreams, no matter how big they are.

Fun fact: Before she zoomed around racetracks, Janet Guthrie was actually an aerospace engineer—she worked on airplanes and rockets!

May 30 – Memorial Day: Honoring Our Heroes

Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day, is a special holiday in the United States to honor and remember the brave American soldiers who died while serving in wars. It began after the Civil War, when people would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers—so it was called Decoration Day. Today, it’s still a time when families visit cemeteries, place flags and flowers on graves, and take part in parades to show respect and say “thank you” to those who gave their lives for our country.

Fun fact: Memorial Day is always celebrated on the last Monday in May, which also gives many families a long weekend to spend time together, have picnics, and enjoy the start of summer—while still remembering the heroes who made it all possible. Don’t miss the FREE Memorial Day activity packet!

Real Cool History for Kids has MANY episodes about the battles and wars in which American soldiers have sacrificed their lives for our country. Here are a few to get you started…

1. Episode 72: The War to End All Wars – Discover how World War I reshaped the modern world and claimed the lives of countless soldiers, including brave Americans.
2. Episode 127: The Courage of Sergeant Alvin York – Learn how one humble man from Tennessee became one of America’s most decorated World War I heroes through incredible bravery.
3. Episode 40: A Day that Will Live in Infamy – Hear the story of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that led the United States into World War II.
4. Episode 71: Courage on the Beaches of Normandy – Relive the events of D-Day, when American soldiers stormed the beaches of France to help liberate Europe during World War II.
5. Episode 95: The Navajo Code Talkers – Discover how Navajo Marines used their native language to create an unbreakable code that helped win World War II.
6. Episode 54: The War in the Jungle – Vietnam – Step into the dense jungles of Vietnam to explore the challenges and sacrifices faced by American soldiers during this controversial war.
7. Episode 83: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis – Hear the harrowing true story of the ship that delivered atomic bomb parts and was later sunk, leaving its crew stranded in shark-infested waters.
8. Episode 105: Stopping Hitler’s Atomic Dreams – Follow the daring efforts of Allied spies and soldiers who worked to prevent Nazi Germany from building an atomic bomb.
9. Episode 102: The Story of the Korean War – Uncover the causes and consequences of the Korean War and the brave service of American troops in a fight for freedom.
10. Episode 61: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen – Meet the courageous African American fighter pilots who battled prejudice and enemy forces as they protected American bombers in World War II.

May 30, 1922 – The Lincoln Memorial: Honoring a Great President

On May 30, 1922, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was officially dedicated to honor the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. This giant, beautiful monument was built to remind everyone of how Lincoln helped keep the country together during the Civil War and worked to end slavery. Visitors from all over the world come to see the big statue of Lincoln sitting in a chair and to read his famous words carved into the walls.

Fun fact: The Lincoln Memorial has 36 columns—one for each state in the U.S. at the time of Lincoln’s death in 1865!