Benjamin Franklin Day (January 17)
Check out the weird holiday Benjamin Franklin Day on January 17. Learn the history of Benjamin Franklin Day & get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on January 17 is Benjamin Franklin Day. Check out the other weird January holidays!
History of Benjamin Franklin Day
January 17, 1706 was Benjamin Frankin’s birthday, so we use this date each year to celebrate this incredible man. He was born into humble circumstances as the son of a soap and candle maker.
Benjamin Franklin is frequently known for being one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, but he was also so much more than that. He was an inventor, author, politician, musician, printer, diplomat, postmaster, and scientist.
A true polymath (someone who is an expert on a variety of different subjects), Franklin stopped attending school at the age of ten and was self-taught in each of his fields of expertise.
Franklin published many of his books under the pen name Richard Saunders. His most famous publication – published in 1732 – was called Poor Richard’s Almanac, which included predictions of weather, astrological information, and poems.
Benjamin Franklin made many contributions to the field of electricity. In 1752, he invented the lightning rod. He also cmae up wiht the words battery, charge, conductor, and electrify. His numerous inventions include bifocals and the Franklin stove, and his scientific pamphlets helped found the American Philosophical Society.
Franklin had a tremendous love of learning and education. In 1731, he founded the Library Company of Philadelphi, which was the first subscription library. A decade later, he wrote a pamphlet on the need to educate youth, which resulted in the founding of the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1757, Franklin became a representative for Pennsylvania in the government. He was the first American Ambassador to France, and he was part of the committee of five men who drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The year prior, Franklin discovered the Gulf Stream, which cut two entire weeks off the sailing time from Europe to the United States and North American.
Contrary to popular belief, Benjamin Franklin did not develop the concept of Daylight Saving Time! It was actually first conceptualized and proposed by George Vernon Hudson in 1895.
Towards the end of his life, he became the first Postmaster General of the United States. After his death, he was put on the first U.S. postage stamp, as well as the $100 bill (frequently known as a “benjamin”).
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most celebrated men in both American and world history.
Ideas for Benjamin Franklin Day
Here are a few ideas on how you can celebrate the incredible man Benjamin Franklin.
Free Benjamin Franklin Coloring Pages & Timeline Worksheets
Whether you are studying the Founding Fathers or celebrating Benjamin Franklin Day, you are going to love these free Benjamin Franklin coloring pages!
Ben Franklin – Easy Electricity Science Experiment
Did you know that the great American inventor, philosopher, and homeschooling alumnus Benjamin Franklin’s birthday was January 17th? One of the many things Benjamin Franklin is remembered for is for discovering how to effectively conduct electricity. Therefore, what better way is there to celebrate his birthday than by conducting your own electricity experiment at home?
Ben Franklin Unit Study
Ben Franklin is an American admired by many, and learning about his life and accomplishments makes for a great unit study in your homeschool!
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