Julio Garavito Armero Birth Anniversary

Julio Garavito Armero, born on 5 January 1865, was a Colombian mathematician and astronomer who also contributed to political economy.

Amy Johnson Death Anniversary

Amy Johnson, passed away on 5 January 1941, was a pioneering English pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia.

Amelia Earheart Declared Dead on 5 January 1939

Amelia Earheart, is one of history’s most prominent figures in aviation, having inspired numerous movies, books, and plays. Born in 1897 in Kansas, Earhart rose to fame because of her trailblazing accomplishments as a female aviator. At the time, being both a woman and a pilot meant being met with many obstacles, and even her own family discouraged her from learning how to fly. However, despite those challenges, she set many records in aviation and became the first female pilot to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean.

For her accomplishments alone, Earhart earned herself a degree of legendary status. However, it is her unfortunate disappearance after she set off on her ambitious global flight of 1937 that has captivated people to this day. On June 1, 1937, Earhart and Fred Noonan, her navigator, set out from Oakland, California, on their eastbound transcontinental flight on a twin-engine Lockheed Electra plane. Less than a month later they reached Lae, New Guinea, having flown 22,000 miles and with 7,000 more to go before they reached Oakland once again. After departing from Lae, they had to fly another 2,500 miles before they reached their next stop—Howland Island, an incredibly small island in the Pacific Ocean—to refuel. Unfortunately, overcast skies, radio transmission issues, and low fuel meant that Earhart and Noonan did not reach their destination. Despite extreme efforts to locate the plane, which ended up constituting the most expensive air and sea search in American history up to that point, there was no sign of Earhart or Noonan anywhere. Earhart was officially declared dead on January 5, 1939.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Birth Anniversary

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, born on 5 January, 1938, in Sindh, was a Pakistani barrister, politician and statesman who served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973, and later as the ninth prime minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977. He was the founder of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and served as its chairman until his execution on 4 April 1979.

Bhutto's legacy remains contentious; he is hailed by supporters for his nationalism and secular internationalist agenda. He is denounced by critics for political repression, impoverished economy, and human rights abuses in Balochistan. Bhutto is often considered one of Pakistan's greatest leaders, and his party, the PPP, remains among Pakistan's largest, with his daughter Benazir Bhutto being twice elected Prime Minister, while his son-in-law and Benazir's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, served as president.

National Bird Day - USA

 

The world is filled with a plethora of different species of birds. From cardinals to doves, from parakeets to parrots. Different people have different relationships with the various species of birds. As such, one could easily imagine that there could actually be numerous National Bird Days in the world, serving different purposes and perhaps varying by region. What this day refers to, however, is known as National Bird Day, observed primarily in the United States.

The ‘National’ term might be a bit deceptive here, since it’s not actually a national holiday in the United States. For a day to technically be a national holiday, an Act of Congress is required, and there is no evidence that has ever happened. That being said, this delightful day is still popularly known as National Bird Day, regardless of whatever Congress might think of that.

Juan Carlos I Birthday

 

Juan Carlos I;  Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias, born 5 January 1938, in Rome, Italy,  is a member of the Spanish royal family, who reigned as King of Spain from 22 November 1975 until his abdication on 19 June 2014. He acceded to the Spanish throne two days after the death of Francisco Franco. Juan Carlos I was instrumental in Spain’s peaceful transition to democracy. In Spain, since his abdication, Juan Carlos I has usually been referred to as the rey emérito ('king emeritus'). 

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Birth Anniversary

 

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, born on 5 January 1941, was an Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team. He was the titular Nawab of Pataudi from 1952 until 1971, when by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India the privy purses of the princes were abolished and official recognition of their titles came to an end.

Pataudi was appointed India's cricket captain at the age of 21, and described as "one of (its) greatest". Pataudi was also called the "best fielder in the world" of his time by commentator, John Arlott and former England captain and contemporary, Ted Dexter.

Shah Jahan Birth Anniversary

Shah Jahan, born on 5 January 1592, in Lahore, was the fifth Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1628 to 1658. His reign represented the height of the Mughal architecture.

Shah Jahan married multiple times as was the custom. His favourite was said to be Arjumand Banu Begum who is better known as Mumtaz Mahal. She died during childbirth in 1631 and Shah Jahan was said to be depressed. He got the Taj Mahal built in her honour in Agra. His relationship with his wife Mumtaz Mahal has been heavily adapted into Indian art, literature, and cinema. Perhaps, he is most famous for this architectural feat. 

He also created many other architectural marvels including the Pearly Mosque at Agra, the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid at Delhi, the Shalimar Gardens and some other buildings in present Pakistan. He also got the famous Peacock Throne built. 

Paramahansa Yogananda Birth Anniversary

Paramahansa Yogananda, born Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur on 5 January 1893, was an Indian monk, yogi and guru.

Author of the best-selling spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, this beloved world teacher has introduced millions of readers to the perennial wisdom of the East. He is now widely recognized as the Father of Yoga in the West. He founded Yogoda Satsanga Society of India in 1917 and Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920, which continue to carry on his spiritual legacy worldwide.

Yogananda profoundly impacted the lives of millions with his comprehensive teachings on: the science of Kriya Yoga meditation, the underlying unity of all true religions, the art of balanced health and well-being in body, mind, and soul.

Yogananda was the first major Indian teacher to settle in America, and the first prominent Indian to be hosted in the White House by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927; his early acclaim led to him being dubbed "the 20th century's first superstar guru" by the Los Angeles Times. He lived his last 32 years in America.