TBT Throw Back Thursday This Day in History: American President in Berlin to Bicycles to Beatles

In true TBT (Throw Back Thursday) style, on this day in history (June 26), a wide array of events took place which are fun to study for history's sake or just for fun.

PE TRIVIA

1819 - The bicycle was patented.  This is also important to my family, because we love to bicycle. There is a statewide trail in our town that used to be an old railroad line, along the Missouri River. It's called the K-T trail (Kansas-Texas Railroad is what it stands for, I believe).

AMERICAN HISTORY TRIVIA

1804 - After traveling 400 river miles westward, the Lewis & Clark Expedition reached the mouth of the Kansas River. Lewis & Clark are of extra importance to us, because we live on the outskirts of St. Louis (You know, Gateway to the West marked by this large silver color ARCH).

1844 - John Tyler, the first president to get married while in office married Julia Gardiner.

1963 - President John F. Kennedy announced, "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" while he stood at the Berlin Wall in Germany. His announcement is translated, "I am a Berliner".

THEATER/MOVIE/DRAMA TRIVIA

1925 - "The Gold Rush", Charlie Chaplin's film premiered.

MUSIC TRIVIA

1964 - The Beatles released their album, "A Hard Day's Night"
1977 - Elvis Presley played his last concert before his death.

Teaching with the Beatles

Anyone who has tried to teach a child, especially a very young child, comes to realize quickly that music plays a very important role in getting the material to stick in the child's memory. Studies have been conducted that the music of Mozart can actually improve a child's math skills. It is thought that it somehow stimulates the part of the brain that processes mathematical equations. There may be numerous genres of music available that are not necessarily beneficial to learning, but if facts set to a tune help get the message across, it's a fantastic learning tool.

The Beatles have been an American icon since they first came onto the United States' music scene in February of 1964. They may not stimulate mathematical processing in the brain, but they did change the way music was played throughout America. By today's standards, their original sound was really quite basic. With a strong guitar sound and British accents, the group was a sensation. In July, one of their photos from their first concert will be auctioned off through Christies. You can find out more about this auction, the photo and the photographer here. Many musical groups have taken on the sound and look of the Beatles throughout the years. One such group is called Ticket To The Beatles!

With all this love for the sound of the Beatles, maybe their songs can inspire learning. Here's a few videos that use the music of the Beatles to teach other facts:

Let It Be - Letter B:

Beatles parody (II) - Sesame Street by beautifulcynic

Hello Goodbye: Early reading/opposites:


Back in the USSSR: History/Ulysses S. Grant:


Help - Science/Electrons:


Help - Very fun artistic typography:


Imagine - Math:


Asteroids Across the Universe - Science: