Author: Lisa Mungovan

Today’s not a day for just any old rodent. It’s Fancy Rat And Mouse Day. Many people keep fancy rats and mice as pets. If you have a mouse in your house, leave out a little top hat and bow tie, so he can be fancy too!

Texas might make people think of oil wells, but its capital is getting ready to go green. The city is starting work on a public transportation plan, that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It includes bike lanes, pedestrian bridges, high-speed buses and a new rail system, all designed to get cars off the road.

While some scientists are working on a vaccine for COVID-19, others are working on how to destroy the virus on surfaces. Engineer Zhitong Chen’s team, developed a cold plasma device, that can eradicate the virus, without hurting the surface underneath. It’s powered by electricity and argon, a gas that’s already in the air.

Deep beneath the ice in Greenland, scientists have found a prehistoric lake. Last year, more than 50 lakes full of water were discovered, trapped between the bedrock and the massive Greenland Ice Sheet. This lake is dry and full of sediment, which could act like a time capsule, providing clues to past polar climate change.

At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 102 years ago, the armistice marking the end of World War One was signed. November 11th is Armistice Day, although the United States celebrates all armed forces members with Veterans Day, and the Commonwealth of Nations, France, and Belgium celebrate Remembrance Day.

Give your taste buds a treat today. Top some ice cream with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry, to celebrate Sundae Day! Add some Japanese biscuit sticks dipped in chocolate, known as Pocky, for Pocky Day. It’s also Origami Day, so try the Japanese art of paper folding. Don’t eat it by mistake!

Jupiter is an amazing planet, with 79 known moons. One of its moons, named Europa, may be even more amazing. Scientists believe it might glow in the dark! The radiation from Jupiter’s magnetic field, could be reacting with Europa’s icy surface, causing chemical reactions. We’ll have to get a better look to be sure!

Great news! A company is testing a coronavirus vaccine, that is 90% effective. Pfizer hopes the vaccine will be ready by the end of the year, to start giving to millions of the most at-risk individuals. It’ll be months before everyone can receive it, so keep washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, and being patient.

There are many railway lines in the United States, that are no longer used. Skunk Train is giving old railroad tracks new life, by using them for adventure tours. One of these runs through the Redwood Forest in California. You can ride the Redwood Route, pedaling a 2-person, electrical-powered railbike!

Today is Area Code Day. In the old days, a telephone operator had to connect your call. You told them the location, and a numerical address, like Murray Hill 5-9975. After area codes were invented, people could call directly, without the operator’s help. Now, there are so many mobile phones, some areas have 2 codes!