Cricket History

What is a space archaeologist? After decades of leaving behind old pieces of equipment orbiting in space, scientists want to clean it up. An archaeologist determines what is important to save for the history of human space exploration. Learn about new efforts to identify and even retrieve old space equipment! How should scientists determine what should be preserved or what is junk?

Since ancient times, people have been recording information. Books—as we know them today—took many centuries to evolve.

Have you ever seen a feather in a hat? A long time ago, they were very fashionable. Some people would even put whole birds on their hats! To get the feathers, though, the birds had to be hunted. Learn about the women who fought to change laws in the name of conservation!

Do you know how the first pizza was made? Learn how ancient civilizations started to make the first pizza—baked flat bread! See how pizza ingredients like cheese and tomatoes were discovered throughout history. Find out how pizza has become a worldwide favorite food.

Did you know that a woman fought in the Revolutionary War? Learn about Deborah Sampson, the first woman soldier to officially serve and fight in battles for the United States' military. To gain entry she disguised herself as a man which was discovered later during the war. She overcame many obstacles in order to fight in the Continental Army for America's freedom.

Do you know who Caesar Rodney is? Learn about the man who travelled an 80-mile journey on horseback in one night from Dover, Delaware to Pennsylvania, Philadelphia to deliver an important letter to the Continental Congress. His ride leads to the the life or death decision in our country's history—whether the colonies should fight for independence from Great Britain.

Do you know who Benjamin Franklin is? You might know him as the scientist who discovered electricity by tying a key to a kite during a storm! Did you know he was a founding father of the United States? He made many efforts to the Revolutionary War and the construction of the United States government. Learn about all the political contributions he made that helped create the United States!

While men fought in the army during the American Revolution, women supported the fight for independence in other ways. They wrote about politics in newspapers, boycotted British goods, and made their own wares like fabric and tea. The Daughters of Liberty said no to British-made goods!

Long before the Wright brothers invented the airplane, people have tried everything they could think of to fly. Learn about the long history of flight, starting in ancient China and including everything from hot air balloons to rockets!

Have you ever looked into the night sky and wished that you could walk on the Moon? Find about what it is like from the astronauts that were first to do it! Learn about how Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Michael Collins traveled into space and created history in 1969, and what it was like to take those famous first steps that made “one giant leap for mankind."

Did you know there were several women and girls who worked as spies during the Civil War? Thanks to the voluminous hoop skirts and petticoats they wore, their clothing made it very easy to hide messages and smuggle them to the soldiers. Take a look at some of the women who served as Civil War spies!

Who were Pocahontas and the Powhatan Indians? They were the Native Americans living in Virginia who met the English settlers when they arrived in 1607. Learn about their culture and how they celebrated their harvest every year!

Writing is very important to all of us! But did you know that people in the past did not have the same kind of writing instrument that we use today? Instead of using plastic or metals to create pens, people in the past used feathers to create pens! This story gives a brief history of what people used to write with and how they eventually developed the feather pen! Not only will you have a history of writing, but you will also learn how to create your very own feather pen!

Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were supporters of a strong federal government and participated in the Constitutional Convention. Together with John Jay, they wrote The Federalist Papers, one of many activities that led to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. Learn more about the Alexander Hamilton and the “Father of the Constitution," James Madison.

Have you ever heard about the "Hello Girls" of World War I? These heroic women worked as telephone switchboard operators for the U.S. military. Despite the dangers of war, they kept American officers in contact with their soldiers during battle, and spoke in French and English. Yet, "Hello Girls" weren't recognized for their wartime service. What historic year did women win the right to vote?

When a person had an infection prior to the twentieth century, they could only rely on their immune system to heal, which sometimes didn't work. This all changed when a man named Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin—entirely on accident! Thanks to Fleming, the medical field made huge advancements that have saved hundreds of lives. Learn more about Fleming's miracle mold!

As countries in Europe grew their military power in 1914, so did their fear of being attacked. Alliances were made and tested! Europe was split into two central powers—this was the birth of World War I. When America entered the Great War, they used carrier pigeons to send messages to their allies. Discover how one pigeon, Cher Ami, became famous for his mission to headquarters.

Did you know that a newly-designed boat helped win World War II? Learn about Andrew Higgins and his amphibious boat design that revolutionized the war effort. See how Higgins adapted his boat design to help carry soldiers and supplies onto Normandy Beach on D-Day. His craft was amphibious—it worked on land and water. See how one American's invention helped changed the tide of the war.

Benjamin Franklin was often curious about the world around him. Utilizing observation and testing of the scientific method, he was able to invent many new items that improved the world for others. These inventions include his famous bifocal glasses, lightning rod, and even a long extension arm.

During the early 18th century, colonist John Peter Zenger printed a newspaper called the New-York Weekly Journal. Zenger helped bring information to the colonists of New York City. However, after publishing an editorial that opposed the actions of a local governor, Zenger was arrested for eight months before his trial. How would Zenger escape this situation?