National Non-Fiction Day. November 4th 2010

Welcome to the National Non-Fiction Day 2010 website. Here you can find information about great non-fiction books, authors and free resources for you to use at home or in the classroom. Find out more about National Non-Fiction Day…

This month

July 2010 / August 2010

Monday 26

Tuesday 27

Wednesday 28

Thursday 29

Friday 30

Saturday 31

Sunday 01

Asala Dharma Day

The anniversary of the Buddha’s first sermon after his enlightenment.

Bugs Bunny's first animated appearance (1940)

The animated short film, A Wild Hare, is released, showing the first incarnation of famous cartoon character, Bugs Bunny.

First potatoes arrives in Britain (1586)

On this date in 1586, the first potatoes arrived in Britain from Columbia, brought by Sir Thomas Harriot.

Agreement signed to build Channel Tunnel (1987)

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President of France François Mitterrand sign an agreement to build a tunnel linking England and France, which later becomes the Channel Tunnel.

Slavery abolished in Britain

On this date in 1833, slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire by the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act.

JK Rowling's birthday

Author of the Harry Potter books, JK Rowling, was born on this day in 1965.

Lammas

Lammas (loaf-mass) Day is a harvest and Pagan Festival celebrating the wheat harvest.

August 2010

Monday 02

Tuesday 03

Wednesday 04

Thursday 05

Friday 06

Saturday 07

Sunday 08

Robin Hood Festival

This week-long celebration of the legend of Robin Hood features entertainment for all the family. It takes place at the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre until 8 August. Find out more at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/ robinhoodfestival Find linking activities and resources.

Christopher Columbus sets sail

On this day in 1492, Christopher Columbus left Spain and set sail on his voyage to America. Find explorers-themed activities and resources.

World War I begins

On this day in 1914, Germany invaded Belgium causing Great Britain to declare war on Germany. Find war-themed activities and resources.

Playday

Playday aims to raise the profile of play and celebrate children’s right to play. Find out more at the Playday website.

World Wide Web debuted

On this day in 1991, the World Wide Web was debuted. Explore the exciting ICT activities and resources available in the Education PLUS resource bank.

Chimney Sweeps Act

This act, which prohibited the employment of children under 16 as chimney sweeps, was passed in 1840. This could spark off a discussion about children’s rights, at home and abroad.

Great Train Robbery

In 1963, thieves held up a mail train in Buckinghamshire, stealing £2.6 million. Invite the children to use this event as inspiring for an exciting story.

August 2010

Monday 09

Tuesday 10

Wednesday 11

Thursday 12

Friday 13

Saturday 14

Sunday 15

National Allotments Week

National Allotments Week runs from 10 to 15 August and aims to raise the profile of allotment gardening. Find growing and gardens activities and resources.

The UK's hottest day

On this day in 2003, the town of Brogdale in Kent reached 38.5°C, the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK. Talk to the children about the importance of protecting themselves from the sun on hot summer’s days.

Solar eclipse

A solar eclipse occurred on this day in 1999. Find linking activities and resources.

Start of Ramadan

The time during which followers of the Muslim faith fast between dawn and dusk. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Find activities and resources related to Islam.

International Left-Handers' Day

Raises awareness of the challenges faced by left-handers living in a right-handed world. Why not challenge the children to use their left hand to do tasks such as writing during the day? Find out more at www.lefthandersday.com

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Krishna. Hindus sing traditional Hindu songs (bhajans), chant mantras, and eat food made from milk and curds. Plays are acted of scenes from Krishna’s early life.

End of World War II

On this day in 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, effectively ending World War II. Find war-themed activities and resources.

August 2010

Monday 16

Tuesday 17

Wednesday 18

Thursday 19

Friday 20

Saturday 21

Sunday 22

Elvis Presley dies

‘King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 on this day in 1977.

First trans-Atlantic hot air balloon crossing

Three American balloonists made the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon on this day in 1978.

National Fire Service established

Created in August 1941 by the merger of the national Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) and local authority fire brigades. Find resources about fire.

Hitler becomes President of Germany

On this day in 1934, Adolf Hitler became President of Germany. Explore our war-themed activities and resources.

Voyager II launched

On this day in 1977, the space probe Voyager II was launched to explore the outer solar system. NASA is still collecting data from the space probe, which is now travelling out of the solar system at a distance of approximately 14 billion kilometres from Earth.

Birth of Christopher Robin

Christopher Robin, son of A.A. Milne and inspiration for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, was born on this day in 1920. Discover more about the the world of Pooh at just-pooh.com.

First English Civil War begins

The first English Civil War, between the Parliamentarians and Royalists, began on this date in 1642.

View the full month's calendar.