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.
Tuesday, September 20
TDIGH: Megatransect Protects African Wilderness
NG Explorer-in-Residence Mike Fay’s 1999 expedition documenting biodiversity in the Congo River Basin helped lead to creation of a national park system in Gabon.
Map: Congo River Basin
Background: Physical geography of Africa
Thursday, September 22
TDIGH: Peace Corps Established
President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps in 1961 to promote cross-cultural understanding between Americans and people of other countries.
Map: Interactive map of all the places Peace Corps volunteers serve
Background: Interview with NG staff who served in the Peace Corps
Activity: Read and discuss a first person account from a Peace Corps volunteer.
TDIGH: First Issue of National Geographic Magazine
In 1888 the National Geographic Society published the first issue of its scientific journal. Though National Geographic magazine is now famous for its photography, it did not include photos until 1905.
Visual: 5 famous NGM covers and the stories behind them
Background: History of the National Geographic Society
Activity: Brainstorm story ideas that students would want to see in the magazine.
Friday, September 23
The outermost planet in our solar system was discovered in 1846 by scientists following mathematical predictions.
Visual: Photo gallery of Neptune and its moons
Background: What is a planet?
Activity: Compare the sizes of different planets and their distance from the sun
Sunday, September 25
Signed in 1237, the treaty established the border between England and Scotland, which is now one of the oldest existing political borders in the world.
Map: The United Kingdom
Background: What is a border?
Activity: Drawing political borders