Sanjeev Kumar's Birth Anniversary

 

Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala), born on 9 July 1938, in Surat, Bombay Presidency, India [present-day Gujarat, India], was an Indian actor. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrillers, and was voted the seventh greatest actor of Indian cinema of all time in a poll conducted by Rediff.com. His double role in the film Angoor was listed among the 25 best acting performances of Indian cinema by Forbes India on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema.

He won several major awards, including two National Film Awards for Best Actor for his performances in the movies Dastak (1970) and Koshish (1972). Kumar did not mind playing roles that were non-glamorous, such as characters well beyond his age. Movies such as iconic character Thakur in Sholay (1975), Arjun Pandit (1976) and Trishul (1978), along with the remakes of Tamil films into Hindi such as Khilona (1970), Naya Din Nai Raat (1974), Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977), Devata (1978) and Ram Tere Kitne Naam (1985) exemplify his versatility. He also did suspense-thriller films such as Shikar (1968), Uljhan (1975), Trishna (1978) and Qati (1986). Kumar also proved himself to do comedy in films such as Manchali (1973), Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978), Biwi-O-Biwi (1981), Angoor (1982) and Hero (1983).

First ever Wimbledon began in 1877

 

The first ever Wimbledon tennis championship began on July 9, 1877, which is incidentally the first official lawn tennis tournament.

It was the Gentlemen’s Singles competition in a championship organised by the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, in West London. This would later be recognised as the first Grand Slam tournament or “Major”.

The first Wimbledon men’s champion was Londoner Spencer Gore, aged 27. After rain delayed their match for three days, he beat 28-year-old William Marshall in three straight sets that lasted 48 minutes and were played before a crowd of about 200. Entry for each spectator cost one shilling (5p or 60 cents).

Like all 22 players in the tournament, Gore and Marshall had to pay an entrance fee of one guinea (£1.05 or $1.27).

Their match was delayed not only by rain but by cricket. The tennis championship was suspended for the weekend so as not to clash with the annual Eton v Harrow schoolboy cricket match at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Spencer Gore would probably have supported the decision. He was a keen cricketer and said later that he found tennis “rather boring.”

Bored or not, he received 12 guineas (£12.60 or $15.20) in prize money and a silver challenge cup, valued at 25 guineas (£25.25, or $30.50). The tournament made a profit of £10 ($12).

Fashion Day

Fashion Day, celebrated every July 9, honours creativity, fashion, and self-expression. It's a perfect occasion for designers, fashion enthusiasts, and style lovers to celebrate the art of clothing.

The idea behind Fashion Day was to acknowledge and commemorate the influence that fashion has on our lives. The purpose of the day is to celebrate fashion's inventiveness, originality, and cultural relevance. It has developed into a worldwide event that honours the progression of fashion trends as well as the industry's contribution to art and culture over time.

The history of the fashion industry is vast, tracing it back to times when garments served as status and identity markers in ancient societies. Fashion has always reflected artistic expression and societal shifts, from the revolutionary designs of the 20th century to the luxurious fashions of the Renaissance. Fashion Day looks ahead to the future of fashion while paying tribute to its past.

Cow Appreciation Day (USA) 2024

 

Cow Appreciation Day is typically celebrated on the second Tuesday of July each year, reminding us all to appreciate these gentle creatures and the role they play in our lives. This year we observe the day on July 9.

Cow Appreciation Day is dedicated to celebrating and showing appreciation for cows, which are often underappreciated for the substantial role they play in our lives. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of cows, not only as providers of dairy products, but also as contributors to our agriculture and environment. This observance encourages people to learn more about these gentle animals, their well-being, and the need for ethical treatment in farming practices.

The inception of Cow Appreciation Day can be traced back to the early 2000s, started by a popular American fast-food chain as a marketing tactic. In the United States, cows are key to the dairy and beef industries, contributing heavily to the country’s economy. Cows also have a considerable impact on the environment, both positively through their role in maintaining grasslands, and negatively, as their methane emissions contribute to greenhouse gases.

In America, Cow Appreciation Day is observed in various ways. Some schools and educational institutions incorporate lessons on cows and their importance, while families may visit dairy farms or sanctuaries to learn more about these animals. Many people also use the day to advocate for improved regulations and better treatment of cows in farming practices. In addition to its educational aspect, Cow Appreciation Day serves as a fun and informative day for all ages. 

 

Guru Dutt's Birth Anniversary

Guru Dutt, born on 9 July 1925, in Bangalore [now Bengaluru], Mysore princely state [now Karnataka, India], was a Hindi motion-picture producer, director, writer, and actor, whose mastery of such elements as mood and lighting in a group of melodramas made him one of the best-known and most-accomplished stylists of Bollywood’s golden age.

Educated in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Dutt trained at Uday Shankar’s dance academy in Almora and then earned a living as a telephone operator. Later he shifted to Pune and joined the Prabhat Studio, where he served first as an actor and then as a choreographer. The first feature film he directed, Baazi (1951; “A Game of Chance”), was produced under the banner of actor Dev Anand’s Navketan International Films and featured Anand and Geeta Bali. The next year Dutt made another successful film, Jaal (1952; “The Net”), with the same stars. He then set up his own production house to make Baaz (1953; “The Hawk”). Although he worked in a variety of genres during his brief but brilliant career, melodrama was the style that best showcased his talents.

Dutt’s renown revolves primarily around three dark and brooding films: Pyaasa (1957; “The Thirsty One”), with Dutt as director and actor; Kaagaz ke phool (1959; “Paper Flowers”), again as director and actor; and Sahib bibi aur ghulam (1962; “Master, Wife, and Servant”), primarily as actor. Dutt also produced director Raj Khosla’s debut film C.I.D. (1956; abbreviation standing for “criminal investigation division”]), which launched the career of actress Waheeda Rehman. She achieved a cult following through her performances opposite Dutt in both Pyassa and Kaagaz ke phool. As a director, Dutt is known for his imaginative use of light and shade, his evocative imagery, and a striking ability to weave multiple thematic layers into his narratives. Those abilities, combined with a bewitching treatment of the songs that typify Bollywood, made him one of India’s most-accomplished filmmakers.

 

Argentina Independence Day

Argentina Independence Day is observed annually on July 9, or Nueve de Julio as it is called through Argentina. It is a national public holiday that marks the day when Argentina declared independence from Spain.

The Argentine independence movement began in 1806, when British attacks on Buenos Aires were repelled by local militia with little help from Spain. Also important were the ramifications of Napolean I’s intervention in Spain, beginning in 1808. Napoleon’s overthrow of Ferdinand VII plunged Spain into a civil war between two rival governments—one set up by Napoleon and the other created by patriotic juntas in the name of the exiled king and aided by the British. Under ancient principles of Spanish law, the king’s dominions in America had the right to govern themselves until the restoration of a lawful king, and on May 25, 1810 (now celebrated as the day of the revolution), Buenos Aires established an autonomous viceroyalty in the name of Ferdinand, pending his restoration. However, when it became apparent that Ferdinand was virtually powerless following his restoration in 1814, an assembly of the members of the viceroyalty met at a home in San Miguel de Tucumán to discuss the situation. On July 9, 1816, they declared the country independent under the name of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata.

Today, Nueve de Julio is a federal holiday in Argentina, celebrated with fireworks, parades, speeches, and military demonstrations. Locro, a traditional stew, and empanadas are commonly eaten during the festivities, and the holiday is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate. 

Drupka Tsheshi 2024

Drukpa Tsheshi, observed on July 9 this year, commemorates the auspicious day when Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after his enlightenment. It falls on the fourth day of the sixth lunar year according to the Tibetan calendar. In Buddhism, the sermon is also known as The Setting of the Wheel of Dharma in Motion. Buddha spelled out the Four Noble Truths that he learned through his enlightenment This was so that his disciples and followers too can take the path to salvation. Buddhists in Bhutan, Tibet, and Sikkim observe this day by chanting prayers and holding a yak race.