American gymnast Simone Biles receives the Presidential medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden during a ceremony where President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to seventeen recipients in the East Room of The White House on July 7, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Credit: © Oliver Contreras, SIPA USA/Alamy Images

With seven Olympic gold medals, one silver, two bronze, and a President Medal of Freedom, Simone Biles has quite a collection! Simone Biles, an American gymnastics star, is the most decorated gymnast in the history of the sport. In 2019, she surpassed the record previously held by Vitaly Scherbo of Belarus, winning 25 world championship medals. Biles has been celebrated internationally for her grace and athletic skill in executing the most difficult moves in women’s gymnastics. This August Biles won her eighth U.S. Championship after a hiatus from competing since the 2020 Summer Olympics. (The games were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) Her win this year marks ten years since she first won the National Championship.

On July 7, 2022, Biles received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, becoming the youngest living person in United States history to earn the honor. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor awarded by the president of the United States for outstanding service. The medal recognizes individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

The honor was established on July 6, 1945, as the U.S. Medal of Freedom by President Harry S. Truman to recognize notable civilian service that aided the United States during a time of war. On Feb. 22, 1963, after extensive study by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Arthur J. Goldberg and Assistant Secretary of Labor Daniel Patrick Moynihan, President John F. Kennedy reintroduced the medal as an honor for distinguished civilian service in peacetime. It was renamed the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Recipients have included educators, diplomats, former presidents and first ladies, authors, scientists, medical researchers, military leaders, humanitarians, religious leaders, civil rights activists, business executives, journalists, athletes, and performers.

Biles was a star of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She won a team gold medal as well as individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor exercise events, plus a bronze medal on the balance beam. By winning five medals, Biles tied the record for the most medals won by an American woman gymnast in a single Olympics. Her four gold medals tied the world record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics by a female gymnast.

In 2019, Biles became the first woman to win five world championships in the all-around event. She is the first Black American to hold the women’s world all-around champion title. She won the world floor exercise title five times, the balance beam title in three times, and the vault title two times. Biles won the United States national all-around championship seven times. She was also a member of the American team that won gold medals in the 2014 and 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

At the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Biles brought attention to the intense pressure Olympic athletes face. After balking on the vault event in the team final, she withdrew from the rest of the team competition and four individual events—all-around, vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise—citing mental health issues. Biles went on to win a bronze medal on the balance beam. She also won a team silver medal.

Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. She grew up in Texas, raised by her grandparents. Biles was introduced to gymnastics at the age of six on a day-care field trip to a gym in Spring, Texas. She began copying the moves of gymnasts practicing in the gym, attracting the attention of a coach. Biles soon enrolled in recreational classes at the gym under instructor Aimee Boorman, who became her coach. Biles, who stands only 4 feet 8 inches (1.42 meters) tall, entered her first competition in 2011. She won her first gold medals in 2013. Within two years, she became one of the most celebrated and dominant gymnasts in history.

Spanish star Olga Carmona scored the only goal in the 2023 Women’s World Cup Championship Game on August 20 at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Spain defeated England 1-0.
Credit: © Chris Putnam, ZUMA Press/Alamy Images

For the first time in history, Spain’s women’s national football team won the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Soccer is called football or association football in much of the world. In a dramatic tournament full of firsts, Spain, ranked number 6 in the tournament, is taking home the trophy. On Sunday, August 20th, England and Spain played in Sydney, Australia, with Spain’s La Roja beating the Lionesses 1 to 0. Spain defeated Sweden 2 to 1 in the semifinals on Tuesday, August 15th. England defeated Australia, the host team, 3 to 1 the following day. The championship match marked the first time either team made it to the final game of the World Cup.

The England Lionesses lost several players due to injury, and one player, Lauren James, was suspended from two games after stepping on the back of a Nigerian player in a match last week. Despite this grim outlook, the team had their eyes on the trophy. Goalkeeper Mary Earps kept England afloat in the final match, but in the end, Spain’s offense bested the team. England wasn’t the only upset in the tournament, as the United States Women’s National Team lost to Sweden in round 16 after winning the last two World Cup tournaments.

La Roja has overcome many obstacles in the last year, surprising many with the World Cup title. In October, players complained about the team’s leadership under coach Jorge Vilda. Many of the players refused to play until changes were made, sitting out their country’s first World Cup match. Spain joins Germany, Japan, Norway, and the United States as the only Women’s World Cup winners since the tournament began in 1991.

In the first half, Spain’s Olga Carmona, a 23-year-old left-back for Real Madrid, scored the only goal of the game. After the game, Carmona discovered her father had passed away a few days before the match. Carmona’s goal in the 19th minute of the game allowed Spain to play confidently, controlling the ball with momentum for the rest of the game. Spain possessed the ball for more of the game and made more attempts on goal and shots on target.

In the second half, England’s playmaker Lauren James began playing after sitting out the first half. Play picked up for England, but La Roja still controlled the game. England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a penalty shot from Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso. While England fought to the last minute, Carmona’s first-half goal remained the only score.

Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí earned the Golden Ball, a trophy presented to the best soccer player in the World Cup finals. Bonmatí, a 25-year-old midfielder, started all seven matches for Spain, scoring three times and supporting teammates with two assists. Earps won the Golden Glove for the tournament as the best goalkeeper in women’s soccer. Spain’s Salma Paralluelo, a 19-year-old left winger, was named Young Player of the Tournament. Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa won the Golden Boot after scoring five goals in the tournament.

Sun bear
Credit: © Molly Marshall, Shutterstock

Bears have been in the news a lot this summer. From hopping into backyard pools to cool off in California to running across football practice fields in Tennessee, bears are everywhere! Recently, one sun bear has been called into question for looking like a human in a bear costume! Angela, a Malayan sun bear at the Hangzhou Zoo in northwestern China, became a star after a zoo visitor posted a video online stating Angela looks like a human in a bear costume when standing up. Well, that is just what sun bears look like.

A sun bear is the smallest kind of bear. It measures about 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) long and weighs from 60 to 150 pounds (30 to 70 kilograms). The sun bear’s coat is short. It is black with a lighter-colored muzzle and an O- or U-shaped blaze (light patch) on the chest that is cream, orange, or golden in color. The blaze pattern is unique to each individual bear, somewhat like a human fingerprint. Sun bears have small ears, massive canine teeth, and an extremely long tongue. The bear’s tongue can reach up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in length.

Sun bears are one of Asia’s most endangered animals. Experts estimate there are between 1,000 and 2,500 sun bears in the wild. They can be found from northeastern India to southeastern China, south to Sumatra and Borneo. They live in forests, especially lowland areas of deep forest. Sun bears can also be found at higher elevations and in agricultural areas. The habitat of the sun bear is disappearing quickly, with massive deforestation across much of its range.

Sun bears have long, sharp claws. A piece of bone inside each claw grows for the bear’s entire life. The longer the claw, the older the bear. The sun bear is an excellent climber and uses these special claws to tap on tree trunks and logs, searching for insects inside. The sun bear also uses its claws to break into bees nests to feed on honey and on bee larvae (young). Other food sources include termites, ants, beetle larvae, small vertebrates (animals with a backbone), and a wide variety of fruits. In the heat of the tropical sun, the sun bear can be found hugging the branches of tall trees while sleeping. This behavior may help the bear remain cool.

Sun bears spend much of their lives alone, except when with young. Unlike many other bears, they do not enter into a winter sleep. A female sun bear gives birth once a year, usually to one tiny, hairless cub. Cubs stay with their mother until they are fully grown, at about 2 years of age. Sun bears are sometimes eaten by giant reticulated pythons and may be vulnerable to predation by such large carnivores as tigers, leopards, and wild dogs. Sun bears can live to be 25 years old.

A sun bear climbs toward an apple at the Henry Doorly Zoo, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Credit: AP Photo

Experts on sun bears hope the interest in the furry creature will help conservation efforts. Zoos across the world are welcoming the increase in visitors to sun bear exhibits. Does it look like a human in a bear costume, or just a misunderstood bear?

An aerial view of the Maui wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023.
Credit: US Civil Air Patrol

Wildfires, driven by strong winds and fueled by dry conditions, caused great destruction and loss of life on the Hawaiian island of Maui. With strong winds stemming from a distant hurricane and warmer temperatures on the island due to climate change, the wildfires caught and spread rapidly. Three wildfires started in Maui on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023. The Upcountry Wildfire fire began in central Maui minutes after midnight. The fires in Lahaina and Pulehu started later on in the morning. The catastrophic fires took many by surprise as the island was unprepared for the severity of the wildfires.

President Joe Biden issued a federal disaster declaration following the devastation on Thursday, August 10th. Some wildfires started on the Big Island and Oahu but were quickly contained. The Army, Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and National Guard began efforts to extinguish fires and rescue and aid survivors. As firefighters worked to contain the blaze, the death toll climbed to 99 on Monday, August 15th. Many officials warn the number could increase as search and rescue efforts continue throughout the island.

Soldiers in the Hawaii National Guard assist in search and rescue efforts after the Maui wildfires in Lahaina on Aug. 10, 2023.
Credit: Andrew Jackson, US National Guard

Fires destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina, killing dozens of people and forcing thousands to evacuate. Lahaina, a town with 13,000 residents on northwestern Maui, was hit the hardest. Officials report more than 2,200 buildings were burned to ash and molten metal, including many residential buildings. Fatalities in Lahaina account for most of the death toll from the three fires.

The wildfires have killed more people than the 1960 tsunami that killed 61 on the Big Island. The Laihana wildfire has become the deadliest wildfire on American soil since 1918. In 1918, sparks from a railroad in dry conditions set off a wildfire in Cloquet, Minnesota, killing an estimated 453 people. The deadliest fire in United States history occurred in 1871 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, killing 1,152 people.

Two days before the wildfires began, the National Weather Service in Honolulu announced a fire weather watch due to strong winds and low humidity. However, officials underestimated how fast the fires could spread on a tropical island known for rain forests. Warnings continued on Monday, announcing “critical fire weather conditions.” Hawaii boasts the world’s most extensive emergency alarm system, with 400 outdoor sirens throughout the state territory. Maui has 80 of those sirens. However, the island’s emergency alert systems failed when the fires began. Not one siren blared. On Tuesday, the county officials sent alerts through cell phones, radios, and television. However, many residents had already lost electricity and cell service. Many survivors said they never received an official warning or order to evacuate the area. Some residents only realized there were fires when their home smoke alarm sounded.

The fire spread so quickly that many did not have time to grab essential supplies before leaving their homes. Many people evacuating by car or bicycle were forced to run into the ocean as fires caught up to them. Residents fled through thick smoke and gusts of wind with burning embers swirling around them. Hawaii Governor Josh Green explained the strong winds, reaching up to 80 miles (128 kilometers) per hour, kept first responders from using helicopters to extinguish fires and look for survivors.

As search and rescue efforts continue, the death toll could rise. Many homes burned down have not been checked for survivors or deceased residents. Survivors have been unable to reach family members and friends due to the loss of cell service throughout the island. People are using public radio stations, social media, and county websites to post where survivors are taking shelter.

Experts believe the wildfire was initially started by a power line that fell due to high winds in the area. Many residents are wondering how the fire spread so rapidly. One theory is the presence of nonnative grasses on the island. Farmers planted grasses for livestock. The last sugar cane plantation shut down in Maui in 2016, allowing nonnative grasses to spread unchecked.

On Sunday, August 13th, the Lahaina fire was 85 percent contained. FEMA announced the cost to rebuild after the Lahaina fire would be close to 5.52 billion dollars. With more than 2,100 acres (850 hectares) burned and 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed, many families and businesses will be starting over.

Even if their homes were untouched and standing, many households remain without power. The Maui County authorities advised that residents should not drink tap water. Many people could not find gasoline or clean water through the weekend. As many as 4,500 people are seeking shelter and supplies on Maui. While the search continues, charities and volunteers send survivors bottled water, food, medicine, and other supplies.

American soccer player Sophia Smith (11) controls the ball in a game against New Zealand on Feb. 20, 2022, in Carson, California.
Credit: © Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock

Professional soccer player Sophia Smith is a champion. Even though the United States Women’s National Team was eliminated from the 2023 FIFA World Cup tournament, Sophia Smith showcased her talents as a rising star. Australia and New Zealand are hosting the World Cup this year. Smith scored two points against Vietnam, a feat known as a brace, on July 21st. While Smith led U.S.W.N.T. to the next round of the tournament, the team lost to Sweden on Aug. 6th. The loss marked the team’s earliest exit from the tournament in history.

Sophia Smith isn’t new to the spotlight. Smith led the Portland Thorns to win the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship in 2022. At only 22 years old, Smith became the youngest player in NWSL history to be named league Most Valuable Player (MVP). She is known for her versatility (ability to do many things well) on the field and skilled dribbling.

Sophia Olivia Smith was born on Aug. 10, 2000, in Windsor, Colorado. Smith attended Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins. She was named First-Team All-Conference during her freshman year. Smith began playing for the Under 17 USA team in 2016. In 2018, while playing for the USA Under 20 team at the Women’s World Cup in France, Smith scored three goals. Smith enrolled at Stanford University to play soccer in 2018. She helped Stanford win the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Women’s Soccer Championship in 2019.

In 2020, after her sophomore season at Stanford, Smith was named the number-one recruit for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Smith left college to pursue soccer full-time in the league. She was drafted to the Portland Thorns. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith debuted for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) in November 2020. In a game against Uzbekistan on Apr. 9, 2022, Smith scored three goals—a feat known as a hat trick—becoming the youngest USWNT player to score a hat trick since 2000 and the fifth youngest in league history.  In July 2022, Smith scored twice for the United States team to defeat Jamaica 5-0 at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, qualifying the United States team for the 2023 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics. CONCACAF stands for Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). Soccer is called football in much of the world.

Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith (9) controls the ball in a game against Kansas City Current on Oct. 29, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, DC, USA – 29 OCTOBER 2022: Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith (9) goes around Kansas City
Credit: © Tony Quinn, Alamy Images

In 2022, Smith set a Portland Thorns record for scoring 14 goals in a regular season. On Oct. 29, 2022, Smith scored a goal when the Portland Thorns won the NWSL Championship against the Kansas City Current 2-0.

Australian soccer player Sam Kerr
Credit: © FiledIMAGE/Shutterstock

If you’ve been following the World Cup, you have probably heard of Australian player Sam Kerr. The star striker returned from sitting out of the games due to a calf injury. Kerr joined the Matildas to defeat Denmark 2 to 0 on Monday, August 7th.

Sam Kerr is an Australian soccer star. Kerr, a striker, represented Australia in the FIFAWorld Cup in 2011, 2015, and 2019. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. Soccer is called football in much of the world. In 2019, Kerr became the first Australian to score three goals, a feat known as a hat trick, in a World Cup match.

In 2008, Kerr played her first match in the W-League, the top Australian women’s soccer league, with Perth Glory FC in Western Australia. FC stands for football club. The W-League was renamed the A-League starting in 2022. In 2012, Kerr moved to Sydney FC, a W-League team from New South Wales. She helped Sydney FC win the 2012-2013 W-League championship before returning to Perth in 2014. Kerr also played in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top women’s professional soccer league in the United States. She made her NWSL debut in 2013. The Australian and U.S. leagues compete in different months of the year, enabling Kerr to play for both leagues.

In 2020, Kerr left the W-League and the NSWL and joined the Football Association (FA) Women’s Super League in England. With Chelsea FC Woman, a Super League team from London, she won multiple Super League titles and two FA Cups. She is the only female player to earn the Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer, in three international soccer leagues: the A-League, the NSWL, and the FA Super League.

Samantha May Kerr was born on Sept. 10, 1993, in Fremantle, Western Australia. She grew up playing Australian Rules football. Her father and brother both played Australian Rules football in the Australian Football League (AFL). Kerr switched to soccer when she was around 12 years old.

At age 15, Kerr joined the Australian national women’s team, known as the Matildas. She played in her first international match in 2009. Kerr was named Young Australian of the Year in 2018. In 2022, she was awarded the Order of Australia. Kerr was named captain of the Matildas in 2019. She also represented Australia at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purple Heart Battalion was the nickname given to a Japanese American unit in the United States Army during World War II (1939-1945). The unit was officially the 100th Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Credit: U.S. Army Photo/US National Archives

Today, August 7th, is National Purple Heart Day! Why is it called a Purple Heart? And who has received the admirable honor?

The Purple Heart Medal was first called the Badge of Military Merit which was an honor only given to Privates, Corporals, and Sergeants (see Military Rank). George Washington created the award in 1782 to recognize soldiers who excelled in bravery and service. The first recipients were Army soldiers William Brown and Elijah Churchill who served in the American Revolution. Washington designed the medal, a heart made out of purple cloth. In 1932, Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur redesigned the medal as gold medal in the shape of a heart with George Washington on it held by a purple ribbon. Later in 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt changed the eligibility of recipients to include posthumous (after death) recognition and people wounded and injured in battle in all branches of the military. Over the years, more changes have been made to the eligibility for the Purple Heart.

The front and back of a modern US Purple Heart medal.
Credit: © Gary Blakeley, Shutterstock

Many people have earned a Purple Heart for their service. Author Kurt Vonnegut was awarded a Purple Heart after he was held captive in Dresden, Germany, during World War II (1914-1918). He saw that city’s destruction by British and American bombing in 1945. His response to that event is reflected in Slaughterhouse Five (1969).

President John F. Kennedy received a Purple Heart for his service in the Navy following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.​​ A Japanese destroyer cut Kennedy’s boat in two. Two of the crew were killed. Kennedy led the 10 other men to safety despite an injured back from the attack. For his heroism and leadership, Kennedy received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. For being wounded in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart.

American football player Pat Tillman also received a Purple Heart. Tillman played for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. After seeing the devastation of the September 11 terrorist attacks upon the United States, Tillman enlisted in the military. He was later killed in the line of duty while serving in the Afghanistan War in 2004. Following his death, Tillman was awarded the Silver Star, for valor in combat, and the Purple Heart, awarded to those injured or killed in the line of duty.

United States Senator Tammy Duckworth received a Purple Heart after her helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade in 2004. She lost both legs and some of the use of her right arm.

Other recipients of the Purple Heart include pilot Joseph Jacob Foss, marine and former United States secretary of veterans affairs Jesse Brown, the first Asian American to serve in the Senate and the House of Representatives Daniel Ken Inouye, and Senator John McCain. Two service animals, Sgt. Stubby the dog who served in World War I and Sgt. Reckless the horse who served in the Korean War, received the award for their efforts. Animals are no longer eligible for the Purple Heart.

U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky competes in the women’s 800-meter freestyle race during the 2012 Summer Olympics. Credit: © Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

On Saturday, July 29, champion American swimmer Katie Ledecky won gold in the women’s 800-meter freestyle at the 2023 World Aquatics Championship in Fukuoka, Japan. She swam the event in 8 minutes and 8.87 seconds, winning her 16th gold medal at the world championships. This win passed a record she had tied with American swimmer Michael Phelps for the most individual gold medals at the world championships in history! Ledecky also became the first swimmer to win gold six times in the same event. She has also won gold seven times at the Olympics. Katie Ledecky has set world records in the women’s 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1,500-meter freestyle events. She is the gold standard of swimming!

Ledecky first gained international recognition in 2012. That year, at the age of 15, she became the surprise winner of the gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle at the Summer Olympic Games in London. She was the youngest American athlete to participate in the 2012 games.

Ledecky was a star of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She won individual gold medals in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter freestyle races. She also won a gold medal as a member of the 800-meter freestyle relay and a silver medal as a member of the 400-meter freestyle relay.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Ledecky won four medals. The 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She won individual gold medals in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle races. She also won silver medals in the 400-meter freestyle race and as a member of the 800-meter freestyle relay.

Ledecky won four gold medals at the 2013 FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, Spain, and five gold medals at the 2015 championships in Kazan, Russia. World Aquatics, the governing body of swimming, was called FINA until 2022. At the 2017 championships in Budapest, Hungary, Ledecky won five more gold medals. She won another gold medal at the 2019 championships in Gwangju, South Korea. Ledecky won four more gold medals at the 2022 championships in Budapest, Hungary. Her total of 19 career gold medals at the World Swimming Championships is a record for women swimmers.

Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky was born in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 1997. She became a national swimming star in high school in Bethesda, Maryland. She set American records in the 500-meter freestyle twice, and the national high school record in the 200-meter freestyle twice. Following the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Ledecky entered Stanford University on an athletic scholarship. In 2018, Ledecky announced that she was turning professional as a swimmer. Her decision meant she would be ineligible to swim in college events, but she would still be eligible for the Olympic Games.

Ledecky passed Michael Phelps for the most individual world title wins in swimming history. Phelps ranks as the most dominant and versatile competitor in the history of the sport. Phelps has set world records in five different individual events. He has also been part of relay teams that set world records. Phelps set an Olympic Games record by winning 28 medals. His winning 23 gold medals is also an Olympic record.

Michael Phelps of the Unites States competes in the butterfly leg of the Men’s 4×100 Medley Relay held at the National Aquatics Centre during Day 9 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. The United States team won the gold medal with a world record time of 3:29:34
Credit: © Cameron Spencer, Getty Images

Phelps has also set a number of records at the FINA World Swimming Championships. At the championships in Barcelona, Spain, in 2003, Phelps became the first swimmer to set five individual world records in a single meet. At the 2007 championships in Melbourne, Australia, he won gold medals in all seven events he entered, setting five world records. At the 2009 championships in Rome, Italy, Phelps won five gold medals, setting four world records. In December 2016, Phelps announced his retirement from competitive swimming.

Ice cream sandwich
Credit: © Brent Hofacker, Shutterstock

Today, August 2, 2022, is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day! Ice cream is a versatile treat. Whether you play it safe and eat it in a bowl with a spoon to decrease the chance of unwanted dripping, or you mix it up by eating it on a cone, sandwiched between two cakey wafers, or in a cone shaped like a taco, ice cream is the perfect summer treat. Ice cream sandwiches are the cool snack of choice for a treat in the park, at a sports game, or anywhere else on the go!

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Ice cream consists chiefly of cream, milk, sugar, and water. Ingredients called emulsifiers and stabilizers hold the mixture together. All the ingredients of ice cream are carefully blended together in a large vat at the beginning of the manufacturing process.
Credit: WORLD BOOK diagram

Ice cream is a popular frozen dairy food. It consists mostly of milk products, sugar, and flavorings. Ice cream may be served by itself or with cake, pie, or other pastries. It also is used in making milk shakes, sodas, cake rolls, and sundaes. Manufacturers make ice cream in many flavors. About one-third of the ice cream sold in the United States is vanilla. Chocolate and Neapolitan (layers of different flavors) rank next in popularity.

Ice cream.
Credit: © Elena Veselova, Shutterstock

The United States produces about 1.4 billion gallons (5.3 billion liters) of ice cream annually. Almost one-tenth of the nation’s milk supply is used to produce ice cream and other frozen desserts. These desserts include ice milk, sherbet, and frozen yogurt. About 7 quarts (6.6 liters) of milk are needed to make 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of ice cream. Ice cream is served in many parts of the world, but Americans eat more of it than do the people of any other country. Americans eat an average of about 23 quarts (21.8 liters) of ice cream annually.

When did ice cream become a sandwich? Vendors started selling ice cream sandwiches in New York City in the late 1800’s. The ice cream was served between two pieces of sponge cake as an affordable treat to eat on the go. Later in the 1920’s, a street vendor in San Francisco decided to make the treat with cookies instead of thin pieces of cake, introducing the world to the cookie ice cream sandwich.

In 1983, a man from Philadelphia invented the Choco Taco, an ice cream treat where the cone is shaped like a hard taco shell dipped in chocolate. Since then, many other versions of ice cream sandwiches have popped up around the world. In Iran, there is a popular frozen treat of saffron and rosewater ice cream between two wafers dipped in pistachios. In Vietnam, ice cream is served on a bánh mì baguette with peanuts.

U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan
Credit: © Feel Photo/Shutterstock

Acting as co-captain for the United States at her fourth World Cup, Alex Morgan is a leading star soccer player. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is in Australia and New Zealand. With two World Cup wins, one Olympic gold medal, and hundreds of goals to her name, Morgan dominates the field. Morgan is known for her speed and for her skills as a scorer and playmaker. This year she is playing alongside experienced players Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Lindsey Horan, and Megan Rapinoe. New players adding to the team include Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Alyssa Thompson. The United States Women’s National Team is ranked number one globally. So far, the team has beaten Vietnam 3-0 and tied the Netherlands 1-1. They will face Portugal on Tuesday, August 1. Tune in to watch Morgan command the field!

Morgan, a forward, helped lead the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) to the gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. She also helped the USWNT win a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The 2020 Summer Olympic Games were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forwards are primarily responsible for scoring goals for their team. In 2015 and again in 2019, Morgan helped lead the United States to FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament championships. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. Morgan previously played on the U.S. World Cup team in 2011.

Alexandra Morgan was born on July 2, 1989, in Diamond Bar, California. She did not begin playing club soccer until the age of 14. Club soccer consists of teams playing within a league, in contrast to national teams that represent a country. Her progress was so rapid that she was invited to play on the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams. She was also named a high school All-American. In 2008, Morgan scored the winning goal to make the U.S. team the Under-20 Women’s World Cup champions.

Morgan entered the University of California at Berkeley in 2007. She led the team in scoring all four of her years in college, graduating a semester early with a bachelor’s degree in political economy. Morgan was the first player selected in the 2011 draft held by Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), the top American women’s soccer league until it ceased operations in 2012. In 2013, she joined the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played the 2016 season with the Orlando Pride, an NWSL expansion team, before joining Olympique Lyonnais in France ‘s top women’s league. Morgan returned to Orlando in 2017. In 2020, she played a few games for Tottenham Hotspur in England before, again, returning to play for Orlando.

Morgan made her U.S. national team debut in 2010. One year later, she scored a goal and recorded an assist in the Women’s World Cup final. In 2012, Morgan led the U.S. national team in goals scored (28), assists (21), and points (77), including 3 goals and 4 assists in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The U.S. Soccer Federation named her the 2012 Female Athlete of the Year.

Morgan is the author of “The Kicks,” a popular series of books for middle-school readers. The books follow the adventures of four soccer-playing seventh-grade girls. The series began with Saving the Team and Sabotage Season (both 2013). Morgan’s young-adult memoir, Breakaway: Beyond the Goal, was published in 2015.