Happy Father’s Day!
Hour of Code
Computer games and other programs are written using special instructions that tell the computers what to do. These instructions are called code.
An event called Hour of Code took place during December 8-14, 2014. It was a celebration of Computer Science Education Week. It involved a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. This event showed kids and grown ups that anyone can learn how to code. You can do it, too! With the help of a responsible grown up, check out websites like hourofcode.com, code.org or khanacademy.org to get started. Who knows, maybe your parents will learn code with you!
Sweet History
Chocolate … Yum! Switzerland is known for its chocolate. In fact, some of America’s biggest names in chocolate can be traced to Switzerland. In 1815, Philippe Suchard was an assistant confectioner (candy maker). He opened his own shop in 1825, and in 1826, Jacques Henri Nestle joined the business. Nestle was known for making condensed milk at the time. When Nestles condensed milk was added to Suchard’s chocolate treats, the sweet creamy result is what people now consider Swiss chocolate.
On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first celebration in honor of fathers. It was a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in local coal mines. It was a single event, though – not an annual holiday. In 1909, woman named Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, Washington, tried to establish an day to honor fathers. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea. It worked. Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on July 19, 1910.
It was not until 1972 that Richard Nixon proclaimed Father’s Day a federal holiday.
This year we celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21. It is estimated that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on Father’s Day gifts.
