Anniversary of the Titanic

978-0-7660-4017-5

On this day in 1912, the Titanic, the largest ocean liner ever built, struck a iceberg and sunk. Considered the most state-of-the-art ship at the time, it was five days into its maiden voyage when disaster struck. Even though the crew tried to steer the ship around the iceberg, the iceberg hit the side of the ship. Two hours Titanic had sunk, taking fifteen hundred passengers with it.
later, the

Built in Belfast, Ireland, the Titanic was the largest of the three ships built by the White Star Line. It was thought that the Titanic was indestructible. The hull was 882 feet long, nearly the length of three football fields. The ship had nine decks, which made it as tall as an eleven-story building. The hull was constructed with sixteen separate watertight compartments. Giant iron doors were added, so that if one compartment started taking on water, the door could be closed, preventing any water from flowing into other compartments.

Departing from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912, the passenger list comprised some of the most wealthy and famous people in the world, including Benjamin Guggenheim and Isidor Straus (founder of Macy's department store.) More than half of the ship's passengers traveled in third class. Most of these passengers were immigrants, traveling to North America to start a new life for themselves.

Written for the upper elementary or middle school reader, this title describes what happened that night, introduces readers to those who tried and were able to help others, as well as investigates the aftermath, including why this ocean liner had only one voyage.

Today is the anniversary of the first American woman in space

978-0-7660-4073-1 library
978-1-4644-0078-0 paperback

On June 18, 1983, Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. This was the second flight for Challenger, and the first flight for a five-person crew. Dr. Ride was a mission specialist, and during this flight, they deployed a satellite for Canada as well as one for Indonesia, among other duties. They spent 147 hours in space before landing. This is the same space shuttle that exploded in January 1986.

Enslow Publishers has recently published a six-book series entitled American Space Missions. Dr. Ride is mentioned in the Space Shuttle Disaster title, when President Ronald Reagan asked her to be part of the Rogers Commission, which was formed to try to determine the cause of the accident.

Written for the reluctant reader, this series will keep those students who are interested in space wanting to read all of them. Other titles in the series include: The Coolest Job in the World; Danger in Space; Eye on the Universe; Spacewalk; and Walking on the Moon.