Posted on April 11, 2022
Key Points
This is an update of my post published on April 11, 2011:
A PhD in chemistry, an induction into the National Academy of Sciences, more than 130 patents—these things are not easy to achieve. How much harder do you think they were for Percy Julian, the grandson of people who were enslaved?
Born on this day in 1899, in Alabama, not only did Julian become a chemist, he became one of the first people to synthesize several medicinal drugs, including chemical syntheses of human hormones. He started his own company to create medicines based on the Mexican wild yam, and his work helped to reduce the costs of many drugs.
Explore chemistry!
Explore Chem4kids for info on matter, the elements, the periodic table, and much more!
Here are some kitchen experiments to try.
Also on this date:
Anniversary of Fair Housing Act
Anniversary of a Billiards Blitz
Birthday of James Parkinson, famous for his work on Parkinson’s disease
Birthday of writer and activist Jyotirao Phule
Anniversary of the opening and reopening of Concertgebouw
Juan Santamaría Day in Costa Rica
Plan ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
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April holidays
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April birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in April
And here are my Pinterest boards for:
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May holidays
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May birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in May
