September 2008
The name September comes from the Latin word septum for "seven." Although it is now the ninth month, it was originally the seventh on the Roman calendar. September is Organic Harvest Month, Cholesterol Education Month, and Sickle-Cell Awareness Month.
September 1, 1923 A magnitude 8.3 tremor rocks Japan. The quake destroys about one-third of Tokyo and much of Yokohama. About 143,000 people die.
September 1, 1962 Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits Iran. (12,230 casualties)
September 2–9, 1776 Just two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the "Hurricane of Independence" blasts its way up the Eastern Seaboard from North Carolina to Nova Scotia. More than 4,000 people are killed.
September 2, 1984 Typhoon Ike pounds the Philippines. (1,363 casualties)
September 3,1930 Hurricane slams Dominican Republic. (2,000 casualties)
September 3,1970 The biggest hailstone ever found lands near Coffeyville, Kansas. It measures 17.5 inches in circumference.
September 6, 2008 Federal Lands Cleanup Day. Congress did its part passing the 1986 Federal Lands Cleanup Act, which requires federal land managers to organize volunteer cleanup projects. You can pitch in by helping to clean up public spaces in your area today. Check your local newspaper for projects.
September 6, 1975 Magnitude 6.7 quake rocks Turkey. (2,300 casualties)
September 8, 1900 The deadliest hurricane in United States history slams Galveston, Texas. The massive storm triggers a huge tidal surge that kills between 6,000 and 8,000 people.
September 10, 1988 Hurricane Gilbert hits the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. (260 casualties)
September 13, 1928 Floods swamp Lake Okeechobee, Florida. (2,000 casualties)
September 14–18, 1999 Hurricane Floyd rips across the Bahamas and the southern Atlantic Coast of the United States. At least 75 people are killed, many from storm-related floods. North Carolina is hit the hardest. Damages are estimated at more than $6 billion.
- Read the Planet Diary report on Hurricane Floyd.
September 15, 2008 Today is the full moon. The full moon closest to the date of the autumnal equinox is known as the Full Harvest Moon. This time of year, Native American crops such as corn, squash, pumpkins, abd beans were ready to harvest. It was also called the Corn Moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
September 15–21, 2008 Pollution Prevention Week. This week was kicked off in California in 1992 and went national in 1995. The goal is to raise awareness about pollution that dirties our air, water, and soil.
- Find out what you can do to help at home or at school during Pollution Prevention Week.
- Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Kids Club to learn about ways you can help keep our planet clean.
September 16, 2008 Preservation of the Ozone Layer Day. Chlorine-containing chemicals called cholorfluorocarbons (CFCs) are destroying Earth's protective ozone shield. Take a few minutes to learn more about the problem.
- Try this ozone science crossword puzzle.
- Visit the EPA's ozone page.
- Get the latest ozone level updates from TOMS.
September 16–22, 1989 Hurricane Hugo hits Caribbean and the United States. (504 casualties)
September 16, 1978 Magnitude 7.8 quake slams Iran. (15,000 casualties)
September 17–21, 1982 Floods hit El Salvador and Guatemala. (1,300 casualties)
September 17–22, 1959 Typhoon Sarah lashes Japan and South Korea. (2,000 casualties)
September 19, 1985 A massive magnitude 8.1 earthquake jolts Mexico. The quake strikes the central and southwestern parts of the country and levels parts of Mexico City and three coastal states. About 25,000 people are killed.
September 19–20, 1974 Hurricane Fifi roars across Honduras. (2,000 casualties)
September 20, 2008 Today is International Coastal Cleanup Day. This cleanup began in Texas in 1986, then went national in 1988. By 1996, this event had spread to 90 countries. If you live along a coast, find out what you can do to help beaches in your area.
- Find out more about today's coastal cleanup activities.
September 20, 1947 Floods in Honshu Island, Japan. (1,900 casualties)
September 21, 1999 A magnitude 7.6 earthquake jolts Taiwan. More than 2,000 people are killed and 8,000 others injured.
- Read Planet Diary's report on the Taiwan earthquake.
September 22, 2008 Autumnal equinox occurs. Night and day are of equal length on this day. It's the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Earth Viewer shows what Earth's shadow looks like right now. You can compare it to shadows cast at other times of the year.
- Find out why the date and time of the autumnal equinox vary from year to year.
- View a movie of the seasons that shows the tilt of Earth's equatorial plane relative to the Sun.
September 22–26, 1955 Hurricane Janet hits Caribbean. (500 casualties)
September 26-27, 1959 Typhoon Vera slams Honshu, Japan. (4,466 casualties)
September 27, 2008 National Estuaries Day. This day celebrates those unique environments where ocean and fresh water mix along the nation's coasts. It was started in 1988 to help the public appreciate the rich biodiversity of our estuaries and raise awareness about protecting them.
- Learn why estuaries are so important.
September 27, 1290 Catastrophic quake strikes China. (100,000 est. casualties)
September 29, 2008 Today is the new moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
October 2008
The name October is from the Latin octo for "eight." It was once the eighth month of the year, not the tenth. October is officially Energy Awareness Month, Child Health Month, Fire Prevention Month, Healthy Lung Month, and UNICEF Month.
October is Energy Awareness Month. The planet keeps getting warmer and warmer as the level of greenhouse gases rises, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels. This is a great time to take a good look at your energy use and lifestyle choices.
- Visit the EPA to find out how you can make a difference with smart energy choices.
October 1, 2008 Water Year begins. This day resets the annual clock for measuring water conditions in the United States.
- Visit the USGS for real-time water data for streams and rivers in the United States.
October 4–8, 1963 Hurricane Flora hits Caribbean. (6,000 casualties)
October 4, 1957 The USSR kicks off the Space Age as it launches Sputnik I, the first Earth-orbiting satelite.
October 5–11, 2008 National Fire Prevention Week was started by President Woodrow Wilson to remember the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and raise awareness of fire safety.
- Try these fun fire safety puzzles.
- When you're ready, take the fire safety quiz.
October 6, 2008 Child Health Day was started to raise public awareness of issues that affect the health of children in the United States.
- Check out some cool health activities for kids.
October 8, 1871 The Great Chicago Fire destroys 17,000 buildings and kills 250 people.
October 10, 1980 Magnitude 7.7 quake strikes Algeria. (3,500 casualties)
October 10, 1960 Floods in Bangladesh. (6,000 casualties)
October 11, 1737 Violent earthquake rocks Calcutta, India. It is one of the world's worst-ever natural disasters. (300,000 estimated casualties)
October 12–18, 2008 This is National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrating the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- The Fish and Wildlife Service manages the The National Wildlife Refuge System.
October 12–18, 2008 This week is also Radon Awareness Week. Radon is a radioactive gas that's been linked to lung cancer deaths. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It becomes a problem when it seeps into buildings. Take a few minutes to learn more about this problem and find out how to get your home tested for radon.
- Check out the EPA's Citizen's Guide to Radon.
October 14, 2008 World Disaster Reduction Day (United Nations).
- Get disaster relief info at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.
- Find out what the American Red Cross does to help people coping with disasters.
October 14, 2008 Today is the full moon. Native Americans also called this month's moon the Hunter's Moon and Dying Grass Moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
October 15, 1942 Cyclone hits Bengal, India. (40,000 casualties)
October 16, 2008 World Food Day. Established by the United Nations to raise awareness of developing nations' struggle against hunger and malnutrition.
- Visit the Food and Agriculture Organization.
- Learn about the FAO's emergency activities to help nations restore food production following natural disasters.
October 17, 1989 Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits the San Francisco Bay Area. The quake strikes just as the World Series matching the Giants and Athletics is about to begin in San Francisco. The quake kills 67 people and injures more than 3,000 others.
October 18, 2008 Today is World Water Monitoring Day. This day was created to raise awareness about the health of our rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
- Visit the Clean Water Foundation to learn about efforts to clean up the nation's waterways.
October 19, 1991 Magnitude 7.0 quake strikes northern India. (2,000 casualties)
October 20–23, 1991 Fires rage out of control across the parched hills of drought-stricken Berkeley and Oakland, California. The fires kill 24 people and destroy more than 3,000 homes.
October 21, 2008 Today is the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Orion at a rate of about 20 per hour at the peak.
- Find out about the Orionid meteor shower.
October 24–November 6, 1998 Hurricane Mitch rakes Central America for nearly two weeks and becomes the deadliest Atlantic storm in 200 years. Honduras and Nicaragua are hit the hardest. About 11,000 people are killed and up to 3 million others left homeless. Damages across Central America total $5 billion.
October 28, 2008 Today is the new moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
October 31, 1961 Hurricane Hattie strikes British Honduras. (400 casualties)
October 31, 1960 Floods in Bangladesh. (4,000 casualties)
November 2008
The name November is from the Latin novem for "nine." In the early Roman calendar, it was the ninth month. November is Great American Smokeout Month, America Recycles Month, and Peanut Butter Lover's Month.
November 1, 1755 Massive quake estimated at magnitude 8.7 rocks Portugal. The city of Lisbon is leveled and shaking is felt hundreds of miles away in southern France and North Africa. About 70,000 people are killed.
November 1, 1959 Floods rage in western Mexico. (2,000 casualties)
November 2, 2008 Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 A.M. in the United States and Canada. Remember "spring forward, fall back" and set your clocks and watches back one hour. In other words, you get to sleep in an extra hour! In Australia, Daylight Savings Time begins today.
- Time Services Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory The TSD is the official timekeeper for the United States.
November 5, 1991 Two tropical storms blast the Philippines. (7,000 casualties)
November 6, 1996 Cyclone hits Andhra Pradesh, India. (1,000 casualties)
November 7, 1940 The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, also called "Galloping Gertie," collapses from violent winds in Tacoma, Washington.
November 8–18, 1994 Flooding and mudslides from Hurricane Gordon leave more than 1,000 people dead in Haiti. Eight others are killed in Florida. U.S. damages are estimated at $400 million.
November 13, 2008 Today is the full moon. Native Americans called this month's moon the Beaver Moon. It was a reminder to set beaver traps before the winter freeze set in. It was also called the Frosty Moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
November 13, 1970 Cyclone in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) is one of history's worst-ever natural disasters. An estimated 300,000 people are killed, mostly from huge tidal waves swamping low-lying coastal areas.
November 13, 1933 The first of many major dust storm kicks up across the Dust Bowl in the drought-smitten Midwest.
November 14–16, 1985 Catastrophic eruption of Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia kills about 25,000 people. Many of the victims die from mudslides that bury the towns of Armero and Chinchina about 80 miles northwest of Bogota.
November 15, 2008 America Recycles Day. We're quickly running out of places to put our tons and tons of trash. Use this day as a reminder about the "three r's" to cut down on trash and save energy: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- America Recycles Day This site offers state by state suggestions for recycling events as well as useful recycling tips.
- The Environmental Protection Agency has recycling activities.
November 17-18, 2008 Leonids meteor shower peak. This meteor shower is from meteors left over from the tail of comet Tempel-Tuttle that burn up in Earth's atmosphere every year in mid-November. At the peak, about 40 meteors will be visible per hour. The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo with the best viewing after midnight. Some meteors should be visible between November 13th and November 20th.
- Find out more about the Leonids.
November 23, 1980 Magnitude 7.2 quake hits southern Italy. (3,000 casualties)
November 24, 1976 Magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes on the Iran/USSR border. (5,000 casualties)
November 27, 2008 Today is the new moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
November 30, 2008 Hurricane season ends in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific (U.S. National Weather Service).
- Visit the National Hurricane Center.
- See a summary of hurricane activity of the season that just ended or any year in the past.
December 2008
The name December is from the Latin decem for "ten." This was the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.
December 3, 1962 London is covered in a thick blanket of fog that causes 106 deaths.
December 12, 2008 Today is the full moon. Native Americans called this the Cold Moon or Long Night's Moon, since the nights get longer and longer until the winter solstice.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
December 12, 1992 Magnitude 7.5 earthquake rocks Indonesia. (2,500 casualties)
December 13-14, 2008 Geminids meteor shower peak. The Geminids meteor shower is often considered the best meteor show in the sky. The meteors are debris left behind by Phaethon, a mysterious celestial object that is both asteroid-like and comet-like. In most years, over 60 dazzling shooting stars are visible per hour at peak. (Unfortunately, the moon is still nearly full so the viewing won't be quite as spectacular this year.) The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini. For best viewing, look to the east after midnight. Some meteors should be visible as early as December 6th and as late as December 19th.
- Find out more about the Geminids meteor shower.
December 15, 1999 Torrential rains touch off disastrous floods and mudslides in northern Venezuela. Up to 20,000 people are killed and 200,000 others are homeless in the nation's worst natural disaster of modern times.
- Read this Planet Diary report on floods in Venezuela.
December 15, 1631 Mt. Vesuvius erupts in Italy. (4,000 estimated casualties)
December 16, 1811 The first of a series of huge earthquakes strikes in the Mississippi Valley near New Madrid, Missouri. The quakes temporarily reverse the flow of the Mississippi River and are felt across hundreds of miles. The December 16 quake was followed by at least two equally strong aftershocks. Another massive quake struck on January 23, 1812 and was followed by the strongest in the series on February 7th. This was the most powerful series of earthquakes ever recorded in North America, with all of the quakes estimated at over magnitude 8. The quakes hit on a fault hundreds of miles from the edge of the North American tectonic plate. The region was lightly-populated at the time, and casualty totals are unknown.
- Learn more about the New Madrid earthquakes.
December 16, 1920 Catastrophic magnitude 8.6 earthquake strikes Gansu, China and kills up to 200,000 people.
December 20, 1946 Massive magnitude 8.4 quake jolts Honshu, Japan. (1,330 casualties)
December 21, 2008 Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, where it's the first day of winter. Of course, it's exactly the opposite south of the equator. It's the longest day of the year and the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Earth Viewer See what Earth's shadow looks like today and compare it to shadows cast at other times of the year.
- Find out why the date and time of the winter solstice vary from year to year.
- View a movie of the seasons that shows the tilt of Earth's equatorial plane relative to the Sun.
December 22, 856 One of the deadliest earthquakes ever hits Damghan, Iran, with a mind-boggling 200,000 estimated people killed.
December 25, 2008 Today is the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. This tradition was started in 1900 and has become the largest and longest-running wildlife survey ever undertaken.
- Find out how to participate in the bird count.
- Learn how the National Audubon Society works to protect birds and other wildlife.
December 25, 1932 Magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Gansu, China. (70,000 casualties)
December 26, 2004 A catastrophic magnitude 9.0 earthquake strikes near the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia and triggers a massive tsunami that sweeps across the Indian Ocean. The tsunami kills more than 225,000 people living in nations along coasts of the Indian Ocean. The quake is the most powerful in over forty years and is the second most deadly ever.
- Read the Planet Diary report on the Indonesian quake and tsunami.
December 26, 1939 Magnitude 8.0 quake jolts Erzincan, Turkey. (30,000 casualties)
December 27, 2008 The new moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
December 28, 1908 The city of Messina, Italy is completely destroyed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. Up to 100,000 people are killed in one of the most destructive tremors to ever strike Europe.
December 28, 1828 Powerful earthquake in Echigo, Japan. (30,000 casualties)
December 29, 2008 International Day for Biological Diversity (United Nations). This is a great day to think about endangered species in your area. It's also a good time to take a look at any invasive species that are hurting the natural biodiversity of your area.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has info on endangered species.
- Find out more about Earth's biodiversity hotspots.
December 30, 1730 Violent quake in Hokkaido, Japan is one of history's worst. (137,000 estimated casualties)
January 2009
January was named for the Roman god Janus, the protector of gates and doorways. Janus has two faces, one looking ahead to the future and the other looking back to the past. January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month, sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
January 1, 2009 New Year's Day. Time to make YOUR New Year's resolutions to help make Spaceship Earth a cleaner, greener, and healthier planet for people and wildlife.
- The EPA has helpful info about reducing greenhouse gases with smart energy choices.
- Visit the World Wildlife Fund for ideas on how you can help protect wildlife.
January 3, 2009 This is the peak of the Quadrantids meteor shower. The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Bootes. About 40 meteors will be visible per hour at the peak.
- Find out more about the Quadrantids.
January 4, 2009 Earth's perihelion, its closest approach to the sun this year. How close? A mere 91 million miles! This is about 3 million miles closer than at its aphelion early in July.
- Compare the sun at perihelion and aphelion.
January 4, 1970 Magnitude 7.5 quake hits Yunnan, China. (10,000 casualties)
January 11, 2009 The full moon. Native Americans called this month's moon the Wolf Moon. This time of year, with frigid winter temperatures and a deep blanket of snow on the ground, hungry wolves would prowl around the edges of Indian villages.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
January 13, 2001 A magnitude 7.6 earthquake that jolts Central America touches off lethal mudslides across El Salvador. More than 800 people are killed and about 100,000 homes destroyed.
- Read Planet Diary's report on the earthquake in El Salvador.
January 13, 1915 A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake rocks Avezzano, Italy and kills nearly 30,000 people.
January 15, 1934 8.4 quake strikes Bihar-Nepal, India. (10,700 casualties)
January 17–21, 1951 Eruption of Mt. Lamington, New Guinea. (3,000 casualties)
January 18–24, 1967 Floods in eastern Brazil. (894 casualties)
January 23, 1971 If you live in a cold-weater state, you may be getting weary of winter by now. But keep in mind things could be much worse. On this date, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the United States, a bone-numbing minus 79.8 degrees Fahrenheit, was reached in Prospect Creek Camp in Alaska.
January 23, 1556 The most deadly earthquake in recorded history strikes Shaanxi Province in China. A staggering total of 830,000 people are estimated to have died in the quake.
January 24, 1939 A massive magnitude 8.3 earthquake strikes Chillan, Chile. 30,000 people are killed and an area of 50,000 square miles is leveled.
January 26, 2009 Today features an annular solar eclipse and the new moon. During an annular eclipse, the moon is too far from Earth for its umbra to darken our planet. As a result a ring of the sun is visible around the new moon. The path of annularity starts off the South African coast then moves northeast across the Indian Ocean and Indonesia. Most of southern Africa, southeastern Asia, and western Australia will enjoy the sight of a partial eclipse.
- Visit NASA's eclipse homepage.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
January 26, 2001 A destructive magnitude 7.7 quake shakes Gujarat in western India. More than 20,000 people lose their lives and 600,000 others are left homeless.
- Read the Planet Diary report on the earthquake in India.
January 26, 1531 Earthquake hits Lisbon, Portugal. (30,000 estimated casualties)
January 28, 1986 NASA's space shuttle Challenger explodes seventy-three seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts onboard. The tragedy is the world's worst-ever space flight disaster.
January 30, 1911 Eruption of Mt. Taal in the Philippines. (1,400 casualties)
January 31, 1958 The United States enters the Space Age as it launches its first satellite, Explorer I, into orbit around Earth.
February 2009
The name February is from the Latin februa meaning "to cleanse." For the ancient Romans, the month was a time of purification.
February is National Wild Bird Feeding Month.
- Find out more about feeding wild birds in your backyard.
February 1, 1991 6.8 quake on Pakistan/Afghanistan border. (1,200 casualties)
February 2, 2009 Groundhog Day. According to American folk tradition, there will be another six weeks of winter if the groundhog sees his shadow today. Folklore aside, winter in the Northern Hemisphere will officially stick around until the vernal equinox on March 20th.
- Visit the official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
February 4, 1976 Strong magnitude 7.5 earthquake rattles Guatemala and kills 23,000 people.
February 4, 1797 Big quake hits Quito, Ecuador. (41,000 casualties)
February 4, 1783 Earthquake in Calabria, Italy. (30,000 casualties)
February 8–18, 2000 Some of the worst flooding in 50 years swamps southern Africa after weeks of nearly nonstop rain. Some of the worst flooding is in the nations of Mozambique, Botswania, and South Africa. About 700 people are killed and 300,000 others are left homeless.
- Read Planet Diary's report on floods in southern Africa.
February 9, 2009 Today is a penumbral lunar eclipse and the full moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and the moon and casts its shadow across the lunar surface. Lunar eclipses always occur at full moon, while solar eclipses always coincide with a new moon. This eclipse will be visible across most of Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and western North America. Native American tribes called this the Snow Moon. It was also called the Hunger Moon because hunting was much harder with heavy snow on the ground.
- Visit NASA's eclipse homepage.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
February 9, 1870 The United States Weather Bureau was first established on this day to better track weather in the nation. About 100 years later, it evolved into the National Weather Service.
- Visit the National Weather Service.
February 11, 1169 Quake hits Sicily, Italy. (15,000 est. casualties)
February 18, 1930 Cold and distant former-planet Pluto was discovered on this date. In 2006, poor Pluto was demoted to dwarf planet status. More recently, these bodies were renamed plutoids.
- Read Planet Diary's report on Pluto's demotion.
February 19, 1884 In one of the deadliest days for tornadoes in United States history, twisters tore through seven southern and midwestern states and killed 800 people.
February 24–29, 2009 This is Invasive Species Awareness Week. Invasive species are a growing threat to ecosystems worldwide. These non-native plant and animal species crowd out native species and disturb the natural balance of an ecosystem.
- Find out about the Global Invasive Species Initiative.
February 25, 2009 Today is the new moon.
March 2009
March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. In ancient times, wars that were slowed down by winter weather were often restarted this time of the year. March is American Red Cross Month as well as Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month.
March 1, 2009 International Day of the Seal. The day was started in 1983 by the U.S. Congress to end the slaughter of seals. The situation has gotten better in recent years, but seals still face danger from pollution, oil spills, habitat loss, and driftnets. The Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) coordinate events around the world to spark action to protect seals. Check your local aquarium or zoo to find out about events in your area.
- Visit the Seal Conservation Society.
- There's no better day to learn all about pinnipeds, our flipper-footed friends.
March 1 is the beginning of tornado season in the United States.
- Learn more about tornadoes.
March 2, 1933 Magnitude 8.9 quake rocks Japan. (2,990 casualties)
March 4, 1977 Magnitude 7.2 tremor shakes Romania. (1,500 casualties)
March 6, 1987 Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Ecuador and Colombia. (4,000 casualties)
March 8, 2009 Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins in most of the United States and Canada. DST was recently moved forward by three weeks to the second Sunday in March to add a little extra light to everyone's lives. Remember "spring forward, fall back" and set your clocks and watches one hour ahead.
- U.S. Time Services Department The TSD is the official timekeeper for the United States.
March 11, 2009 Today is the full moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
March 11–14, 1888 The Great Blizzard of 1888 slams the eastern United States. About 400 people lose their lives in this legendary storm that buries several states under five feet of snow.
March 16, 1925 Magnitude 7.1 quake in Yunnan, China. (5,000 casualties)
March 18, 1925 The lethal "Tri-State Tornado" is the most violent twister ever in the United States. The tornado is blamed for 689 deaths and 2,000 injuries. It cuts a trail of destruction across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.
March 18, 1953 Magnitude 7.2 tremor strikes northwest Turkey. (1,200 casualties)
March 19, 2009 Today is Swallows Day in San Juan Capistrano, California. Cliff swallows nest at this historic California mission every March and return to Goya, Argentina in October.
- Find out more about the swallows of Capistrano.
March 19, 1967 Floods in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (436 casualties)
March 20, 2009 Vernal or spring equinox. Night and day are of equal length on this day. It's the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of fall in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Earth Viewer shows what Earth's shadow looks like right now. You can compare it to shadows cast at other times of the year.
- Find out why the date and time of the vernal equinox vary from year to year.
- View a movie of the seasons that shows the tilt of Earth's equatorial plane relative to the Sun.
March 20, 2009 World Frog Day. The first day of spring is a day to officially celebrate the planet's frogs and other amphibians. Many amphibian species face tough times coping with habitat loss, pollution, and changing climate. Some have already gone extinct while many others are threatened or endangered.
- Learn more about frogs and other amphibians.
- Get more information about declining amphibian populations.
March 21, 1932 Tornadoes hit Alabama. (268 casualties)
March 22, 2009 World Day for Water. Although three-fourths of our planet is covered with water, fresh water is sometimes a scarce resource. The United Nations has set aside this day to foster awareness of how precious our water resources are, and what can be done to protect them.
- Visit Earth Day Network's Water For Life site.
March 23, 2009 World Meteorological Day. This day has been set aside by the World Meteorological Organization to raise awareness of global climate issues.
- Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) global climate change site.
- Ozone depletion Find out why it's happening, and its effects on your health and the environment.
March 24, 2009 Antituberculosis Day (World Health Organization).
March 26, 2009 Today is the new moon.
March 27, 1964 Magnitude 9.2 Alaska earthquake is the strongest ever recorded in North America. The quake strikes about 80 miles east of Anchorage triggering a tremendous seismic wave 50-feet high that races more than 8,000 miles at 450 miles per hour. The quake kills 117 people.
March 28, 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is worst ever in the United States. One of the two reactors at the plant loses its coolant which causes overheating and a partial meltdown of its uranium core. The accident releases radioactive water and gases into the surrounding environment.
March 28, 1982 Eruption of El Chichon in Mexico. (1,800 casualties)
March 28, 1970 Magnitude 7.3 tremor hits western Turkey. (1,100 casualties)
March 29, 1974 Floods in Tubaro, Brazil. (1,000 casualties)
April 2009
April gets its name from the Latin word aperio meaning "to open" or "to bud." This month, many flowering plants at northern latitudes begin opening.
April is World Habitat Awareness Month. Habitat loss from expanding cities, roads, and farms, as well as from pollution and climate change is a growing threat to the planet's wildlife. Take a few minutes to learn more about this problem and what can be done about it.
- Find out how you can "Think Globally and Act Locally" to help stop the Destruction of Natural Habitat.
This month is also Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
- Visit the ASPCA.
April is also Earthquake Preparedness Month in California. Earthquakes can't be predicted or prevented, but there's much your family can do to be better prepared for one if you live in an earthquake-prone area.
- The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has tips on preparing for earthquakes.
April 3–4, 1974 At least 148 tornadoes touch down in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio in what becomes called the "Super Tornado Outbreak." 330 people are killed and more than 5,000 others are injured by the twisters. The path of destruction stretches for 2,500 miles in the most extensive outbreak in United States history.
April 4, 1905 Magnitude 8.6 quake rocks Kangra, India. (19,000 casualties)
April 5–6, 1936 Tornadoes rip Mississippi and Georgia. (658 casualties)
April 7, 2009 World Health Day (World Health Organization). The U.N. started this day to focus attention on health conditions worldwide.
- Stop by the World Health Organization for the latest world health updates.
- Find health-related activities at the UN CyberSchoolBus.
April 9, 2009 Today is the full moon. This month's moon was called the Pink Moon by Native Americans, since grass pink (wild ground phlox) is one of the first spring flowers to burst into full bloom. Other names include Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and Fish Moon. This time of year, some fish species swim upstream to spawn along the coasts.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
April 9, 1947 Tornadoes hit Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. (169 casualties)
April 10–12, 1815 Mt. Tambora erupts in Sumbawa, Indonesia. (92,000 casualties)
April 11, 2009 Bird Day, coordinated by the National Association of Audobon Societies for the protection of wild birds.
- Find out about bird conservation at Audubon Online.
April 11, 1965 Tornadoes rip U.S. Midwest. (271 casualties)
April 18, 1906 The Great San Francisco Earthquake levels and burns much of San Francisco. The huge quake, estimated at magnitude 8.3, strikes along the San Andreas Fault. The tremor and its resulting fires kill about 500 people.
- USGS has details about the Great San Francisco Earthquake.
April 19–25, 2009 National Sky Awareness Week. What's up in the sky this week? Put on your jacket, grab your binoculars, and find out.
- Get the latest news from space from NASA.
- Visit Sky and Telescope to view this week's Sky at a Glance.
April 22, 2009 is Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in the United States to increase environmental awareness. Today, it is observed in over 140 countries.
- Check out the Earth Day Network to learn about Earth Day activities.
- The Environmnetal Protection Agency has tons of environmental information and activities.
April 22, 2009 Peak of the Lyrid meteor shower. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra. About 10 to 20 meteors will be visible per hour at the peak.
- Find out more about Lyrid meteor shower.
April 25, 2009 Today is the new moon.
April 26, 1986 Nuclear accident at Chernobyl in the Ukraine is world's worst ever. The explosion and fire in the graphite core of one of the plant's four reactors blasts out a huge cloud of radioactivity that contaminates large parts of Europe and Scandinavia.
- Learn more about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
April 29, 2009 National Arbor Day (United States). This tree-appreciation day is always celebrated on the last Friday of April.
- Planting a tree today in honor of National Arbor Day will help make the world a little bit greener.
April 30, 1991 Cyclone rips low-lying Bangladesh and triggers massive floods. (139,000 casualties)
May 2009
The month of May is named for the Roman goddess Maia, who ruled over all plant life. Throughout history, it's been a time to celebrate the greenness of our lush and bountiful planet.
May is Clean Air Month, sponsored by the American Lung Association.
- The Envrironmental Protection Agency has important facts about air pollution.
- Visit the EPA to learn more about protecting our air.
- Get the latest info on the air quality where you live.
May 1, 2009 May Day. Although the vernal equinox is in March, this day traditionally celebrates the return of spring. In Elizabethan England, the day was celebrated with dancing around the maypole. In ancient times, it was a day of thanksgiving to the deities of agriculture and fertility.
- Learn about the FAO's work to restore food production after natural disasters like floods and drought.
Today is also Save the Rhino Day. The world's rhinos are threatened by poachers seeking their horns and by habitat loss.
- The World Wildlife Fund works hard to protect rhinos and other endangered animals.
May 5, 2009 The first Tuesday in May is World Asthma Day. Dirty air is a problem for all of Earth's inhabitants, but is especially a threat to people with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
- Find out about World Asthma Day activities in your area.
May 6, 2008 Peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. The meteors will shoot from the constellation Aquarius at the rate of about 10 per hour at the shower's peak. For best viewing, look to the east after midnight.
May 8, 2009 World Red Cross Day. This day is celebrated on the birthday of Jean-Henri Dunant, a Swiss citizen who started the Red Cross in 1863 to help suffering war victims. Dunant received the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for his efforts. Today, the organization works around the globe to assist victims of natural disasters or human conflict.
- Get the latest disaster relief info at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.
- Find out what the Amercian Red Cross does to help people coping with natural and human-caused disasters around the world.
May 8, 1902 Eruption of Mt. Pelee volcano in Martinique kills 28,000 people. The eruption destroys the city of St. Pierre.
May 9, 2009 The full moon. Native Americans called this the Flower Moon because the land is carpeted with brilliant floral displays this month. It was also called Corn Planting Moon and Milk Moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
May 9, 2009 International Migratory Bird Day. This day celebrates the return of migratory birds to North America from South America and Central America.
- Visit the Smithsonian's Migratory Bird Center.
May 15, 2009 Today is the beginning of hurricane season for the eastern Pacific. This region includes the Pacific Ocean east of 140 degrees west longitude. The season ends November 30th.
- Visit the National Hurricane Center.
- The University of Wisconsin tracks current hurricanes around the world.
- Get details on hurricanes in the eastern Pacific.
May 16, 1875 Earthquake rocks Venezuela and Colombia. (16,000 casualties)
May 19, 1919 Eruption of Mt. Kelud in Java, Indonesia. (5,000 casualties)
May 20, 1293 Quake hits Kamakura, Japan. (30,000 est. casualties)
May 21, 1960 Monstrous 9.5 earthquake in southern Chile is the strongest ever recorded. The quake kills about 5,000 people.
May 21, 1792 Mt. Unzen erupts in Japan. (14,500 casualties)
May 22, 1927 A massive magnitude 8.3 quake in Nan-Shan, China is one of the deadliest events in Earth's history. About 200,000 people are killed in the disaster.
May 23, 2009 World Turtle Day. Around the world, sea turtles are threatened by habitat loss, fishing nets, and pollution. Take a few minutes to learn more about these beautiful creatures.
- The Humane Society has information on World Turtle Day.
- The WWF works hard to protect the world's sea turtles.
May 24, 2009 The new moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
May 24–30, 2009 Hurricane Preparedness Week. If you live in a coastal area that's threatened by hurricanes, the question is always when and not if a hurricane will strike. The destruction that Hurricane Katrina brought to the Gulf Coast in 2006 was a painful reminder of the importance of being prepared. The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1st.
- Get information on preparing for hurricanes from the National Hurricane Center.
May 25, 1985 Killer cyclone hits Bangladesh. (10,000 casualties)
May 27, 1995 Earthquake of magnitude 7.5 rocks Sakhalin Islands, Russia. (1,989 casualties)
May 30, 1935 Magnitude 7.5 quake hits Quetta, India. (50,000 casualties)
May 31, 1970 Magnitude 7.8 tremor jolts northern Peru. (66,000 casualties)
May 31, 1889 The South Fork Dam collapses in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and triggers one of the worst floods in United States history. More than 2,000 people are killed.
June 2009
June was named for the Roman goddess Juno. Her domain was marriage and the well-being of women. June is both National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month as well as Zoo and Aquarium Month. Pick a sunny day this month to pack a picnic with some healthful, Earth-grown snacks and pay a visit to your local furry, feathered, or flippered friends!
June 1, 2009 Hurricane season begins for the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The season ends November 30th.
- Visit the National Hurricane Center for the latest hurricane reports.
- The University of Illinois has interesting hurricane information.
June 1–2, 1965 Deadly windstorm hits Bangladesh. (30,000 casualties)
June 5, 2009 World Environment Day. This day was created to deepen public concern for protecting Spaceship Earth, the only home we've got.
- The UN CyberSchoolBus has World Environment Day information and activities.
- Visit the Environmnetal Protection Agency for information about important environmental issues like global warming and acid rain.
- The World Wildlife Fund works hard to protect wildlife.
June 6, 1994 Magnitude 6.8 quake in southwestern Colombia. (1,000 casualties)
June 7, 2009 The full moon. Native Americans called this the Strawberry Moon. Other names included Rose Moon and Strong Sun Moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
June 7, 1755 Earthquake in northern Persia. (40,000 casualties)
June 8, 1783 Laki volcano erupts in Iceland. (9,350 casualties)
June 11, 1981 Magnitude 6.9 quake in southern Iran. (3,000 casualties)
June 17, 2009 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (United Nations). Expansion of the world's deserts threatens about one-fifth of the planet's population. Worldwide, about 24 billion tons of topsoil are blown away each year. It's getting lost sixteen times faster than it can be replaced.
- The United Nations has info on desertification.
June 20, 1990 A powerful magnitude 7.7 quake strikes western Iran, killing 50,000 people and leaving 400,000 others homeless. The quake flattens many cities and villages in the Caspian Sea area.
June 21, 2009 Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The opposite is true in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is both the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter.
- Earth Viewer: See what Earth's shadow looks like today and compare it to shadows cast at other times of the year.
- Find out why the date and time of the summer solstice vary from year to year.
- View a movie of the seasons that shows the tilt of Earth's equatorial plane relative to the Sun.
June 22, 2009 Today is the new moon.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
June 25–30, 1957 Hurricane Audrey lashes the Gulf Coast of the United States from Texas to Alabama. The town of Cameron, Louisiana is wiped out and a total of 390 people die in the violent storm.
June 28, 1948 Magnitude 7.3 quake in Fukui, Japan. (5,390 casualties)
July 2009
The month of July was named in honor of the Roman ruler Julius Caesar, who developed the Julian calendar. His calendar later became the Gregorian calendar we use today. The ASPCA designated July as Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month.
July 2, 1843 An alligator reportedly falls from the sky during intense thunderstorms in Charleston, South Carolina.
July 2, 1957 Magnitude 7.4 quake in northern Iran. (1,200 casualties)
July 4, 2009 Earth is at its aphelion, its farthest point (about 94 million miles) from the sun. This is about 3 million miles more than at its perihelion in January. Oddly, the aphelion comes at the warmest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because the sun's rays are most direct in the Northern Hemisphere in the summer months, which more than makes up for the fact that the sun is more distant. Because Earth wobbles on its axis, the date of the aphelion will gradually change. 11,000 years from now, it will occur during Northern Hemisphere summer.
- Compare the sun at perihelion and aphelion.
July 7, 2009 Today is the full moon. Native Americans called this the Buck Moon since male deer start showing new antlers this time of year. It was also called the Thunder Moon because summer thunderstorms are common in many areas of North America.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
July 9, 1967 Typhoon Billie hits Japan. (347 casualties)
July 11, 2009 World Population Day (United Nations). More than 6.7 billion people share the precious resources of Spaceship Earth. The world's population jumps by about seven million people every month. Many scientists say overpopulation will be the biggest problem to face the planet this millennium.
- The U.N. has more info on World Population Day.
- World Population Clock Get an up to the minute estimate of the world population.
July 16, 1990 Magnitude 7.8 quake hits Luzon, Philippines. (1,621 casualties)
July 19–25, 2009 Coral Reef Awareness Week. This week, sponsored by Reef Relief, was started to raise awareness about protecting the world's fragile coral reefs, called the "rainforests of the sea."
- Get the latest coral reef news at Reef Relief.
- Read this Planet Diary journal entry on the problem of coral bleaching.
July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong is first Earthling to step on the moon. Through crackling space static, he utters his historic words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for Mankind" as millions around the world tune in on TV.
July 22, 2009Today there's a total solar eclipse as well as a new moon. The eclipse will be visible across central India, Nepal, and parts of central China. Most of eastern Asia and Hawaii will see a partial eclipse.
- Visit NASA's eclipse homepage.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
July 28, 2009 Today is the peak of the Delta Aquarid meteor shower. The meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius at the rate of about 20 per hour at the shower's peak.
July 28, 1976 A huge magnitude 8.0 earthquake shakes Tangshan, China in one of the most devastating quakes in history. An estimated 255,000 people are killed after much of Tangshun is leveled by the quake.
July 28, 1981 Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits southern Iran. (1,500 casualties)
July 31, 2009 Tornado season ends in the United States. The season begins again next March.
- Learn more about tornadoes.
July 31, 1964 Ranger 7 sends the first close-up moon pictures back to Earth.
August 2009
August was named in honor of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor and grandnephew of Julius Caesar.
August is National Parks Month. The National Park Service protects more than 80 million acres in its various national parks, monuments, preserves, seashores, and recreation areas.
- Visit the U.S. National Park Service for detailed info about all U.S. national parks.
August 5, 1949 Magnitude 6.8 quake in Pelileo, Ecuador. (6,000 casualties)
August 6, 2009 Today is a penumbral lunar eclipse and the full moon. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and the moon and casts its shadow across the lunar surface. Lunar eclipses always occur at full moon, while solar eclipses always coincide with a new moon. The eclipse will be visible across most of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and western Asia. Native Americans called this month's moon the Sturgeon Moon. This was the best time of year to catch the biggest fish in the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, and other fishing spots. It was also known as the Red Moon and Green Corn Moon.
- Visit NASA's eclipse homepage.
- See this month's Observing Highlights from Sky and Telescope.
August 7–21, 1955 Hurricane Diane slams eastern U.S. (400 casualties)
August 9, 2009 Smokey the Bear turns 64 today but still shows no sign of slowing down. Smokey became the U.S. Forest Service's fire-prevention mascot in 1944.
- Smokey the Bear Find activities and tips on fire prevention.
August 11, 1979 Floods swamp Morvi, India. (15,000 casualties)
August 12, 1974 Severe floods swamp Bangladesh. (2,500 casualties)
August 12, 1772 Mt. Papandayan erupts in Java, Indonesia. (3,000 casualties)
August 12-13, 2009 Perseids meteor shower peak. The meteors are debris left over from the comet Swift-Tuttle. At the peak, meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus at a rate of about 60 per hour.
- Find out more about the Perseids.
August 13–15, 1868 Huge quakes slam Peru and Ecuador. (40,000 casualties)
August 15, 1950 Magnitude 8.7 earthquake in Assam, India. (