Why do We Have a February 29th This year?

February 29th comes only once every four years. The reason for this is the earth goes around the sun every 365 and 1/4 days, or 6 hours. So after 4 years, enough time has elapsed to insert an extra day into the calendar, and that day is February 29th. This occurs in the calendar that is used by most of the world, the Gregorian Calendar. A person born on leap year is called a leapling, and can celebrate their birthday on February 28 or March 1st. For additional information, please consult:

The Leap Year and Leap Day
Leap Year 101
Leap Year Explained
Wikipedia: February 29th

George Washington Remembered

Today marks the anniversary of Geroge Washington's birth. He was born 276 years ago on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. As a general in the Revolutionary War and as the Nation's first president, he will be remembered by millions of Americans for generations to come. Here is a web site that contains links to some web site on him: http://www.se.edu/lib/washington.htm

New Databases on Nuclear Energy

These databases come from the National Science Digital Library, and they all relate to Nuclear Energy.

NuclearPathways.org
This is a new search engine that gives students, educators and the general public the ability to explore nuclear issues across a collection of the best websites on the topic." Access at: http://www.nuclearpathways.org/



Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues

"The Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues provides a broad, balanced annotated bibliography for the studyj of nuclear issues. This searchable collection includes books, articles, films, CD-ROMS,and websites. All annotations haave been reviewed by members of the library's prestigious National Advisory Board." Access at: http://alsos.wlu.edu/




Atomicarchive.com

"This site covers the science, history, and consequences of the atomic age. Discover the world-changeing events and decisions that led to developing the first atomic bomb, from Hiroshima to today's post-Cold War era. Learn about basic atomic physics, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion to understand how nuclear weapons work." Asccess at: http://www.atomicarchive.com/





ChemCases

"The ChemCases website covers the basic concepts of nuclear chemistry from Chadwick's discovery of the neutron, to the chemistry that led to atomic bomb. It also explores the legacy of radiation: the fear of contamination, the problems in the generation of nuclear power, the widespread medical uses of radioisotopes."
Access at: http://www.chemcases.com/





NuclearFiles.org

"From nuclear proliferation to nuclear testing, from Hiroshima to North Korea, Nuclear Files offers the A to Z on nuclear issues. It provides access to primary source documents, historical and background information, and analysis. Nuclear Files is an excellent educational resource that explores the political, legal and ethical challenges of the nuclear age. Access at: http://www.nuclearfiles.org/

Famous Librarians

There is a website that has a list of famous librarians from around the world, and includes the likes of Mao Tse-Tung, J. Edgar Hoover, David Hume, Casanova and Pope Pius IX. The webpage is at http://www.bwctc.northants.sch.uk/Pages/infocentres/lc_famous.html

Valentine's Day

Picture: Saint Valentine of Terni and his disciples.

"Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred." Special thanks to American Greetings. To see more about the history of Valentine's Day, go to the History Channel site at:

http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/viewPage?pageId=882 See more about the history of Valentine's Day at this site.
Other sites:
Saint Valentine's Day--Feb 14 http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm
Valentine's Day Fun for Kids
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays/valentines.htm
How Valentine's Day Works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/valentine.htm
Catholic Encyclopedia: St.Valentine
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm

Abraham Lincoln – Government Document sources

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 9, 1809. At 7 years of age, he and his family moved to Indiana, which became a state in 1816. He was 21 when his family moved to Illinois. The publications that are listed below come from the Government Document room, which is located on Floor 2A.

I 29.6/6:L 63
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace: National Historic Site, Kentucky: Official Map and Guide
This is a National Park Service pamphlet is about the history of the Lincoln family.

I 29.6/6:L 63/3/999
Lincoln Home Official Visitor Guide: Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois
This National Park Service pamphlet is about the home that Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd and their four sons lived from 1844-1861.

I 29.9/5:129
Lincoln Memorial: A Guide to the Lincoln Memorial, District of Columbia
This is a publication about the memorial and the life of Abraham Lincoln.

I 29.21:L 63/993
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
This National Park Service pamphlet is about Abraham Lincoln and the Memorial.

I 29.21:L 63/4/2001
Lincoln Boyhood: National Memorial, Indiana
This National Park Service pamphlet is about where Lincoln grew up and the Living Historical Farm that is located in Lincoln City, Indiana.

I 29.58:3/4
Ford’s Theatre and the House Where Lincoln Died
A publication about Ford’s Theatre, the last day of Lincoln’s life, John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators, the Lincoln museum and the house where Lincoln died.

I 29.58/3:L 63
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Site: Historic Resource Study
This publication tells about the life of Abraham Lincoln and his father, Thomas Lincoln and the design and construction of the birthplace memorial.

TODAY, FEBRUARY 01, MARKS THE START OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

An excellent way to start the celebration is to read a book. I’m recommending “Elijah of Buxton” by Christopher Paul Curtis. This is a juvenile book that adults would also enjoy. In January 2008 it won the following two awards from the American Library Association: the John Newbery Honor Book Award and the Coretta Scott King Author Book Award.

This is the story of slavery and about a boy becoming a man. Elijah is a freeborn resident of Buxton and he and his friends pretended to be slavers and abolitionists, however, they had real difficulty conceiving of actual slavery until they saw people physically bound in chains. Curtis shows the enormity of the aftereffects of violence and what it means to imprison another human being.