#28: July 6-12

JULY 6, 1942 – The Hidden Diary: Anne Frank’s Story of Courage

On July 6, 1942, a young girl named Anne Frank and her family went into hiding to escape the dangers of World War II. They stayed in a secret part of a building in Amsterdam for over two years, hoping to stay safe. During that time, Anne wrote all about her thoughts, dreams, and daily life in a diary. Even though she lived far from the United States, her story became very well known around the world, especially in America. Her diary, The Diary of Anne Frank, has been read by millions of young readers and has even been made into plays and movies. Fun fact: The secret hiding place behind the bookshelf is now a real museum called the Anne Frank House, and over a million people visit it each year! Listen to Episode 82: Anne’s Diary

JULY 7, 1928 – Sliced Bread Sold for the First Time

On July 7, 1928, people in Missouri were the first to buy pre-sliced bread from a store—something we take for granted today! Before that, everyone had to slice their bread at home with a knife, which could be messy and uneven. An inventor named Otto Rohwedder created a special machine that could slice and package bread quickly, making life easier for families everywhere. The idea was such a big hit that it spread fast across the country. Fun fact: Sliced bread was so popular that it inspired the famous phrase, “the best thing since sliced bread,” which people still say today when something is really cool or useful!

JULY 7, 1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor: First Woman on the Court

On July 7, 1981, President Ronald Reagan made history by choosing Sandra Day O’Connor to be a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She was the very first woman ever nominated to serve on the highest court in the country! Her nomination was a major step forward for women in government and inspired many girls to dream big. Sandra worked hard and was known for being fair and thoughtful in her decisions. Fun fact: Before becoming a judge, Sandra Day O’Connor had trouble finding a job as a lawyer—so she worked for free at first just to prove she could do the job!

July 8, 1776 – Liberty Bell Rings in Philadelphia 

On July 8, 1776, the streets of Philadelphia were filled with excitement as the Declaration of Independence was read out loud for the very first time. To celebrate this important moment, the Liberty Bell rang loudly from the tower of Independence Hall. People gathered to hear the news that the American colonies were declaring their freedom from British rule. It was a powerful symbol of a new beginning. Fun fact: Even though the Liberty Bell is famous today, it actually wasn’t called the “Liberty Bell” until many years later—and it has a big crack that no one’s been able to fix! Listen to the latest episode here… Episode 157: The Story of the 4th of July

JULY 8, 1889 – The Wall Street Journal First Published
On July 8, 1889, the very first issue of The Wall Street Journal was published in New York City. It began as a small newspaper that focused on business news, helping readers understand what was happening in the world of money, markets, and companies. Back then, most people didn’t have easy access to financial news, so this little paper became a helpful guide for workers, business owners, and investors. Over time, it grew to become one of the most trusted and important newspapers in the country. It’s a great example of how news is made and how even small ideas can grow into something big. Fun fact: The very first issue of The Wall Street Journal was only four pages long and cost just two cents—about the same as a piece of candy back then!