The Soviet Union no longer exists, but do you know which countries used to be part of it? Try our U.S.S.R map activity and see. If you need to view a map of the area first, click here. You'll need to click on both Europe and Asia to see the entire area. Map Activity Answer Key

On this day in 1990, U.S. president George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed an agreement to stop producing chemical weapons.

The Transcontinental Express completed its first trip across the U.S. in 1876 in just 83 hours. By covered wagon the trip would have taken 6 months. Absolute Light/Soy Candles Mia Bella’s Gourmet Candles - Start up under $50. Be one of the first to introduce Mia Bella’s Gourmet Candles and Body Products in your area. Check out this unique, FUN new business! Find the marketing style that best fits you through retailing, fundraising, and residual. You choose! No company quotas!

Yummy! edible train! Edible train! Make a delicious train out of cookies, snack cakes and other goodies! While eating your train look at a map of the US. What is the fewest number of states that could be traveled through while crossing the country east to west? What is the highest number?

• Family Activity Go on a bike ride today. How far is 21 miles? Do you think you could ride that far? • Geography Activity Find the English Channel on a map. Where is the narrowest part? What countries surround the channel? • Creative writing Write a short story about flying across the English Channel in a pedal-powered plane. Describe the view, the challenge of the weather, and the cheering crowds at your arrival!

On this day in 1979, a bicyclist named Bryan Allen flew a pedal-powered plane 21 miles across the English Channel.

On this day in 1777, the "Stars and Stripes" became the national flag of the United States. Today is Flag Day in the U.S.

• Hang your flag Whether you live in the United States or not, hang your country's flag today! • Flag etiquette Do you know the rules of flag etiquette? Click below and find out! Flag Etiquette

• Just for Fun ... Learn more about the state of Arkansas with our Arkansas word search. Answer Key

On this day in, Arkansas became the 25th state in the union of the United States.

Have you gotten a chance to browse our new Schoolhouse Store? JenIg and the crew carefully hand selected some great homeschool products that they think you're going to love. There is something for everyone and for all ages, from Preschool Activities in a Bag to Christian Kids Explore Chemistry (grades 5-8) to our Homeschooling the High Schooler e-book. You need to go over to see what is in the store ... Latin and foreign language programs, science texts, writing programs, the new Pilgrim's Progress study by Answers in Genesis, math curricula, and more! Many parents are now beginning to search for the perfect curriculum for their children for the next school year. Let TOS help you find that perfect item in our Schoolhouse Store and save you some money as well. All of our products come with free shipping for US and military addresses with no minimum order! Even if you've visited The Schoolhouse Store before, be sure to visit again. New products are still being added. Come and shop with us and let us know what you think!

On this day in 240 B.C. Eratosthenes used the sun to accurately estimate the diameter and circumference of the earth.

• Sun activities ... Use the sun for these fun activities: • Make a homemade sundial After clicking on the link, click "outdoor activities," then "homemade sundial" in the left hand column. • Make your own Stonehenge This is a fun science project for the whole family by familyeducation.com Knowledge Quest Tie geography into history… Make connections between events… History will be more cohesive and understandable for your students with the use of maps and timelines. Read articles online that will help you easily incorporate these resources into your history program. Consider these maps and timelines for your lessons and then watch history come alive!

• Typing Game This free online game makes practicing typing skills a "get to" rather than a "have to"! Typer Shark typing game (click on "Play Now") • How fast can you type? Take an online typing test and see! Typing test

On this day in 1868, a prototype for the typewriter was patented. The machine, created by Christopher Sholes, became known as the "blind writer."

Homeschooling a High Schooler or Thinking about It? Our newest e-book, Homeschooling the High Schooler: From Transcripts to Graduation, is hot off the press and getting rave reviews! In this e-book, we've enlisted homeschool parents, homeschooled high school students themselves, and experts to share some practical tips for facing those upper level courses. Our authors share not only the "how-tos" of transcripts, math, science, and language arts but also why they chose to homeschool through high school, some of the opportunities they took advantage of along the way, and the blessings they've reaped from keeping their teens at home for high school. To order your copy for only $12.45, visit our Schoolhouse Store!

The St. Lawrence Seaway opened on this day in 1959, creating a system of canals, locks, and dredged waterways between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

• Online movie! Watch an informative online movie about the St. Lawrence Seaway! St. Lawrence Seaway Movie • Canal math activity! Keep young minds thinking this summer with this fun math activity. Canal Math

• The Smithsonian Institution features some wonderful online educational movies and interactive learning experiences. Check them out below! Apollo 11 Walking on the moon (movie) North American Mammals (interactive site) Within These Walls (5 families, 200 years of history)

On this day in 1829, English scientist James Smithson died, leaving his estate to the United States of America. Smithson had never been to the U.S. but decreed that the money be used to build an establishment to increase knowledge that should be called the Smithsonian Institute.

• Subscribe to this or other free TOS e-Newsletters.
• Subscribe to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
• Advertise in this newsletter: email Sales@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription:
You are subscribed to the following list: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Newsletters - History using the following email:
history@tosmagazine.com

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL:
http://www.tosmagazine.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/history

If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address.
Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism.

You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen:
http://www.tosmagazine.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/hsitory

If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: history@tosmagazine.com

The following physical address is associated with this mailing list:
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------