Here’s an advance look at a some of the “This Day in Geographic History” (TDIGH) events coming up this week. For each date, we’ve matched it with a map or visual, background information, and a classroom activity so you can plan ahead.
Monday July 25
TDIGH: Satellite Records ‘Face on Mars’
Seeing a “face” on Mars or a man in the moon are examples of pareidolia, an optical illusion of perceiving pattern or meaning where none exists.
Visual: Satellite Images (Go to Resource Type, filter by Photos)
Background: What is pareidolia? Learn more and take a look at some fun examples.
Activity: Build a sunspot viewer to see what shapes you can find!
Tuesday July 26
TDIGH: Liberia Declares Independence
Colonized by freed slaves, Liberia was the first democratic republic in the history of Africa.
Visual: Map of Liberia
Background: Timeline slavery in the U.S.
Activity: Brainstorm factors that led the American Colonization Society to encourage former slaves to create a colony in Africa.
Thursday July 28
The 14th Amendment granted full citizenship to African Americans and established equal protection under the law, making it central to the Civil Rights movement.
Visual: March on Washington photo timeline
Context: Civil Rights information
Activity: Name a court case that corresponds to each of the 14th Amendment’s four clauses (citizenship, privileges and immunities, due process, and equal protection).
Friday July 29
TDIGH: International Tiger Day
#InternationalTigerDay was created in 2010 to help raise awareness for tigers, the most endangered species of the big cats.
Visual: Map of where tigers live in the wild
Background: Learn about the Big Cats Initiative
Activity: Do Bengal and Siberian tigers face the same threats? Tiger Trouble activity
Saturday July 30
The USS Indianapolis sank after being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, just after it delivered uranium for the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima. Then the sharks came.
Visual: Map of area where the Indianapolis sank
Context: Timeline of World War II
Activity: Listen to survivors of the Indianapolis tell their story