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!
Monday, May 14

Illustration by James Gillray, courtesy Library of Congress
TDIGH 1796: Jenner’s First Smallpox Vaccination
The vaccine Edward Jenner invented helped lead to the eventual eradication of smallpox in 1979.
Map: Download this map of when and where smallpox was eradicated.
Tuesday, May 15

Photograph by Camille Harang, courtesy Wikimedia. CC-BY-SA-3.0
TDIGH 1397: Birthday of Sejong the Great
The Korean leader’s legacy includes creating what many linguistics consider the best alphabet in the world.
Map: Customize, print, and download our 1-page maps of North Korea and South Korea.
Background: Learn more about King Sejong and “the world’s most incredible alphabet” with these short articles from the Asia Society.
Thursday, May 17

Image courtesy the National Archives
TDIGH 1954: Brown v. Board
With Oliver Brown, et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et al. the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in schools, declaring that “separate but equal” schools are “inherently unequal.”
Map: Download this map of school segregation in the U.S. prior to the Brown decision, and have students answer the discussion questions.
Background: The Brown decision was actually five cases. Learn about the cases, and listen to a podcast on the troubling outcome mandating integration with “all deliberate speed.” (You can also have students discuss how the Supreme Court decided to slow integration with the language in Brown using this great resource.)
Activity: Answer these discussion questions and read testimonies on how Brown v Board impacted different people’s’ lives.
Friday, May 18
TDIGH 1980: Mount St. Helens Erupts
The eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington, was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in U.S. history.
Background: Consult our resources to get information about stratovolcanoes like Mount St. Helens, and why pyroclastic flows are the most dangerous volcanic hazard.
Friday, May 18

Photograph by greyloch, courtesy Flickr. CC-BY-SA-2.0
TDIGH: International Museum Day
Since 1977, the annual event has honored museums’ importance to education and society overall.
Video: Watch this fun TED video to learn why we have museums in the first place.
Background: The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that, “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” Learn more and find an event near you!
Activity: This year’s theme is “Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics”. How do museums interact and contribute to how we think of subjects such as human geography, natural history, the global economy, cultural exchange, technology, or trade?
One thought on “This Week in Geographic History: May 14-20”