Naadam festival - 11 to 13 July in Mongolia

 

Naadam is a national festival celebrated every year from 11 to 13 July across Mongolia that focuses on three traditional games: horseracing, wrestling and archery. Mongolian Naadam is inseparably connected to the nomadic civilization of the Mongols, who have long practiced pastoralism on Central Asia’s vast steppe. Oral traditions, performing arts, national cuisine, craftsmanship, and cultural forms such as long song, Khöömei overtone singing, Bie biyelgee dance and Morin khuur fiddle also feature prominently during Naadam. Mongolians follow special rituals and practices during the festival, such as wearing unique costumes and using distinctive tools and sporting items. Festival participants revere the sportsmen, sportswomen, and children who compete, and winners are rewarded titles for their achievements. Ritual praise songs and poems are dedicated to the contestants in the events. Everyone is allowed and encouraged to participate in Naadam, thus nurturing community involvement and togetherness. The three types of sports are directly linked with the lifestyles and living conditions of the Mongols and their transmission is traditionally undertaken through home-schooling by family members, although formalized training regimens have recently developed for wrestling and archery. The rituals and customs of Naadam also accentuate respect for nature and the environment.

Vellore Mutiny in 1806

 

Vellore Mutiny, was an outbreak against the British on July 10, 1806, by sepoys (Indian troops employed by the British) at Vellore (now in Tamil Nadu state, southern India). The incident began when the sepoys broke into the fort where the many sons and daughters of Tippu Sultan of Mysore and their families had been lodged since their surrender at Seringapatam (now Shrirangapattana) in 1799 during the fourth Mysore War.

The July 10 outbreak, though encouraged by the Mysore princes, was basically caused by resentment at new British regulations that ordered changes in headgear and shaving style and the prohibition of ornaments and caste marks for the Indian troops. Little effort was made by the British to reassure the men or listen to their grievances, which included the belief that the regulations were detrimental to the religious practices of both Hindus and Muslims. There were also complaints about the sepoys’ pay. About 130 British troops were killed in the initial assault, but the fort was recovered within hours by a relief force of British soldiers and sepoys under Colonel Robert Gillespie from nearby Arcot. Hundreds of mutineers were killed, either in the fighting or in subsequent executions by the British.

The affair alarmed the British because of its connection with the Mysore princes, who were thereupon removed to Calcutta (now Kolkata). Lord William Bentinck, the governor of Madras (now Chennai), and Sir John Cradock (later John Caradock, 1st Baron Howden), the commander in chief at Madras, were both recalled. It is believed, however, that the severity of punishments meted out by the British—which included tying some of those convicted of mutiny to the barrels of cannons and then firing them—deterred sepoys in southern India from joining the Indian Mutiny of 1857–58.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day

 

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day, observed on July 9th, is a celebration that transcends the kitchen, encouraging us to apply the principles of culinary creativity and diversity to our everyday lives. This day reminds us of the importance of variety, experimentation, and the beauty of mixing different elements to create something extraordinary. 

History of Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day

Inspired by the timeless advice, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelet Day encourages us to explore and appreciate the richness that comes from diversity. The phrase suggests that relying too heavily on one option can be risky, and this day takes that wisdom into the kitchen and beyond. It’s about celebrating variety, trying new things, and enjoying the process of combining different ingredients—whether in cooking or in life.

South Sudan Independence Day

 

South Sudan, officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the north by Sudan; on the east by Ethiopia; on the south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kenya; and on the west by the Central African Republic.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011 as the outcome of a 2005 agreement that ended Africa's longest-running civil war.

Made up of the 10 southern-most states of Sudan, South Sudan is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. It is home to over 60 different major ethnic groups.

Independence did not bring conflict in South Sudan to an end. Civil war broke out in 2013 when the president fell out with his then vice president, leading to a conflict that has displaced some four million people.

A power-sharing agreement was signed between the warring parties in August 2018 in a bid to bring the five-year civil war to an end.

 

Shinzo Abe assassinated in 2022

Shinzo Abe, assassinated on 8 July 2022, in Kashihara, Nara, Japan, aged 67, was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history, serving for nearly nine years in total.

Inauguration of Bhakra Nangal Canal in 1954

 

Amid scenes of great rejoicing and enthusiasm, in which about 150,000 Punjab peasants participated, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opens the Bhakra-Nangal canal system on 8^th July 1954, aiming to irrigate millions of acres of arid land in Punjab, the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), and Rajasthan.

Kalki-Shimla Railway declared UNESCO WHS in 2008

 

The Kalka-Shimla Railway was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008, and is listed under the "Mountain Railways of India". This 96.6 km long, single-track railway line connects Kalka to Shimla, passing through 18 stations. It was built between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla, then the summer capital of British India, with the rest of the Indian rail system.

It's one of the three mountain railways in India recognized by UNESCO, alongside the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

The railway is known for its dramatic views, numerous tunnels (102), and bridges (988). It remains a popular tourist route, offering scenic views of the Himalayan foothills.