Alexei Leonov - first person to conduct spacewalk in 1965

In many respects the Soviet Union was ahead of the United States in the Space Race for several years, especially the early efforts in the 1950s, with the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957.

They also beat the US to the famous activity of 'spacewalking' - that is, common jargon for conducting extra-vehicular activity while in space. Cosmonaut Alexey Leonov, a Soviet Air Force pilot, was chosen for the task.

Leonov exited the capsule of his Voshkod 2 mission spacecraft for 12 minutes and nine seconds on March 18, 1965. His spacesuit had inflated so much in the vacuum of space that he could barely get back inside the capsule at the end: he had to open a valve on his suit to let some pressure out before just making it back inside.

America wasn't far behind: the first spacewalk of a US astronaut occurred just 3 months later when Edward H. White II went outside his capsule on the Gemini IV mission.

Rudolf Diesel's Birth Anniversary

Rudolf Diesel, born on 18 March 1858, is the German namesake and inventor of the diesel engine, for which he created the first prototype and gained the first patent in 1893. He is also well known for the mysterious circumstances of his disappearance aboard ship in the English Channel.

Stephen Grover Cleveland's Birth Anniversary

Previously the Governor of New York, Stephen Grover Cleveland, born on 18 March 1837, is the only person to serve to non-consecutive terms as President of the United States. In this capacity he was the 22nd and 24th President (1885-1889 and 1893-1897).

Cleveland was relentless in fighting political corruption. In his first term he opposed high tariffs, free silver, imperialism and government subsidies on libertarian grounds. Cleveland's reputation for integrity and his passion for reform led members of the Republican Party to bolt the ticket in 1884 and support him in the election of that year.

His second term began with disaster after the Panic of 1893 caused a severe economic depression that he was unable to reverse. His intervention in the Pullman Strike in 1894 helped alienate the unions from his presidency. His second term ruined the Democratic Party and the Republicans regained office in a landslide in 1894; he was succeeded by William McKinley. 

Goddess of Fertility Day

 

Goddess of Fertility Day is observed on March 18. It celebrates Venus, Aphrodite, and other gods and goddesses of fertility. In ancient times, most cultures had multiple immortal deities. Each one represented various aspects of life. The ancient Greek goddess Venus was by far the most well-known goddess of fertility. People would pray and make offerings to her when seeking to create a family.

Who is the mythical Goddess of Fertility, you ask? Actually, the answer to this question depends upon your Ancient cultural roots. There are over a dozen. Here are some of them:

• Venus is the Roman goddess of fertility, beauty, love, and sex. She is the best-known.
• Adi Parashakti was the immortal of fertility in ancient Indian culture.
• Anahit, the Armenian immortal of fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood.
• Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of beauty, love, lust, passion, pleasure, and procreation (fertility).
• Atahensic is the goddess of pregnancy and motherhood in Iroquois mythology.
• Chimalma, an Aztec goddess of feminine health.
• Demeter (Ceres) is the goddess of fertility of the earth, harvest, and agriculture.
• Freyr is the Norse god of fertility.
• Frigg is the Norse goddess of love and fertility. 
• Hathor – the earliest Egyptian goddess of fertility,
• Isis is the Egyptian goddess of fertility, magic, death, healing, and rebirth.
• Jiutian Xuannü is the Chinese deity protecting childbirth.
• Leto, one of the brides of Zeus.
• Oshun is the immortal representing fertility in the ancient Yoruba religion in Africa.
• Xochiquetzal, the Aztec goddess of pregnancy and sexuality.

 

National Anthem and Flag Day in Aruba

The National Anthem and Flag Day holiday is held each year on March 18 and celebrates Aruba's Independence. 

A strong sense of pride is displayed each year as Arubans celebrate their Flag and Anthem Day. On March 18, 1948, the Aruban politician Shon A Emam presented the first formal proposal for Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles. In 1976, twenty-eight years later to the day, political leader Betico Croes declared the First Flag & Anthem Day. Arubans are especially proud of their beautiful anthem, "Aruba Dushi Tera," a waltz composed by three of Aruba's celebrated artists: Juan Chabaya "Padu" Lampe, Rufo Wever, and Hubert Booi. A special work of art can be appreciated at Plaza Padu located at downtown Oranjestad which is dedicated to the composers of the anthem. 

This patriotic holiday is celebrated with a scout parade, a classic car parade, sporting events, many cultural events showcasing gastronomy of Aruba, and games throughout the island for kids and adults. 

The flag of Aruba incorporates four colours and symbols, each carrying significance. The light blue color represents the sea surrounding the island, symbolizing its strong connection to the ocean.

Yellow signifies abundance and solidarity. The horizontal lines symbolize the economic prosperity derived from industries like gold mining and Aloe Vera production in the past, as well as the current reliance on tourism. Yellow also represents the vibrant yellow flowers of local flora such as the “Kibrahacha” (Tabebuia billbergii), “Palo di Brazil" (Haematoxylon brasiletto), “Bonchi di Strena” (Parkinsonia aculeata), “Curahout” (Peltophorum acutifolium), “Tuturutu” (Yellow Dwarf Poincianas, Caesalpinia pulcherrima) and “Wanglo” (Puncture vine Tribulus cristoides).

The horizontal yellow stripes on the flag symbolize Aruba's freedom and distinct status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, achieved on 1 January 1986.

Additionally, the colour white on the flag symbolizes peace and carries symbolic meaning. It represents the island's pristine beaches and signifies the purity of the hearts of the Aruban people, who strive for justice, order, and liberty.

The red star on the flag symbolizes the four points of the compass, symbolizing the diverse origins of the Aruban population, which attracts people from around the world. It also represents Aruba itself, surrounded by the blue sea and the historic "Palo di Brazil" industry. Red symbolizes love and pays tribute to the indigenous Arubans who lost their lives during the confrontation with the French at Frenchman’s Pass.