Here’s an advance look at 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.
Check out our Pinterest board for more related resources!
Tuesday, November 14
Created by the International Diabetes Federation in 1991, this day raises awareness about the disease that affects over 400 million people worldwide.
Map: Diabetes Atlas
Background: 10 Facts about Diabetes
Activity: Explore this infographic about diabetes in the U.S. Which statistic do you find the most surprising?
Thursday, November 16
TDIGH: Happy Birthday, Chinua Achebe
Born in 1930, the Nigerian author is most famous for writing Things Fall Apart; the first African novel to be widely read in the West.
Map: Nigeria
Background: Biography
Activity: Check out our reading list of books from or about Africa. Which ones have you read? Which one do you want to read next?
Friday, November 17
Since 1869 the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and the Red Seas, has allowed for faster trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Map: Egypt
Background: What is an isthmus?
Activity: The U.K. granted Egypt its independence in 1922 but retained control of Suez Control trade. Do you think this was fair? Why or why not?
Saturday, November 18
TDIGH: North American Times Zones Created
In 1883 American and Canadian railroads established standard time zones, eliminating the confusion of each railroad keeping its own time.
Map: U.S. Standard Times Zones
Background: How do we determine where each time zone begins and ends?
Activity: Read about how China only has one time zone. Would you rather live in a country with one time zone, even if it meant the sun setting at midnight or rising at 10am?
Sunday, November 19
TDIGH: Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 speech at the site of the largest battle of the Civil War is one of the most famous speeches in American History.
Map: Battles of the U.S. Civil War
Background: The Battle of Gettysburg
Activity: Listen to famous politicians and comedians read or recite the Gettysburg Address. Bonus: Make a video of your class reading the Address!