John Quincy Adams' Birth Anniversary

John Quincy Adams, born on 11 July 1767, was an American statesman, politician, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth president of the United States, from 1825 to 1829. He previously served as the eighth United States secretary of state from 1817 to 1825. During his long diplomatic and political career, Adams served as an ambassador and also as a member of the United States Congress representing Massachusetts in both chambers. He was the eldest son of John Adams, who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, and First Lady Abigail Adams. Initially a Federalist like his father, he won election to the presidency as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, and later, in the mid-1830s, became affiliated with the Whig Party.

Giorgio Armani's 90th Birthday

Giorgio Armani, born on 11 July 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, is an Italian fashion designer whose signature style of relaxed yet luxurious ready-to-wear and elegant, intricately beaded evening wear helped introduce ease and streamlined modernity to late 20th-century dressing.

The son of a shipping manager, Armani intended to become a doctor but left medical school to pursue a career in fashion. Beginning in 1957 he worked as a buyer for the Milan department store La Rinascente. After a seven-year stint in that position, he began to pursue a career in fashion design, training in the atelier of Nino Cerruti, In 1975, with the help of his friend and business partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani launched his own label of ready-to-wear for men and women.

Armani best described his approach to fashion as follows: “I was the first to soften the image of men, and harden the image of women. I dressed men in women’s fabrics, and stole from men what women wanted and needed—the power suit.” His androgynous approach rarely disappointed fashion critics, who dutifully appeared each season at shows staged at his 17th-century palazzo on Via Borgonuovo in central Milan. Armani’s reputation grew as a result of the popular film American Gigolo (1980), in which actor Richard Gere was featured as the dashing owner of a closetful of tailored Armani clothing. The public developed an increasingly insatiable demand for his minimalist style, and many Hollywood leading ladies became torchbearers for the Armani look at the Academy Awards ceremonies.

Over the years Armani continually added new offerings to his company, introducing perfume, accessories, a jeans line, the lower-priced diffusion line Emporio Armani, sportswear, and a limited-edition line of handmade couture dresses. In 2000–01 the Guggenheim Museum in New York City presented a major retrospective of Armani’s work. In 2002 Armani was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He designed the uniforms for the Italian flag-bearers participating in the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony as well as those of various professional athletic teams, including England’s Chelsea Football Club and Australia’s Rabbitohs. In 2007 Armani partnered with the electronics giant Samsung to create a luxury LCD (liquid crystal display) television and cellular phone as part of an expansion of his consumer lifestyle product line. That same year his Armani Privé spring/summer-collection fashion show was broadcast worldwide via Microsoft Corporation’s MSN Web portal as well as Cingular cellular phones, making him the first clothing designer to broadcast an haute couture fashion show live on the Internet.

 

World Population Day

World Population Day is an annual event that is observed every year on July 11. This day was established to raise awareness about the major issues that surround global population growth and the impact it carries on development and sustainability.

The world's population has undergone a major shift in recent times. It took centuries for the population to reach 1 billion, however, in just a few hundred years, it has grown sevenfold. According to the UN, the population reached the 7 billion mark in 2011. This rapid growth poses many significant challenges. 

What is the History of World Population Day?

Here's a breakdown of the origins of World Population Day: 

• On July 11th, 1987, the global population reached an estimated five billion people. This milestone grabbed worldwide attention, sparking conversations about population growth. That is why July 11th, became known as the "Day of Five Billion." The interest in this event highlighted the need for a dedicated platform to address population issues.
• In 1989, following the momentum from the Day of Five Billion, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) established World Population Day.
• In 1990, the first World Population Day was celebrated in more than 90 countries. 
• The UN mentions: “World Population Day, which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, an outgrowth of the interest generated by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.”
• “By resolution 45/216 of December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to continue observing World Population Day to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development” it adds. 

What is the Significance of World Population Day?

World Population Day holds significance for several reasons. Here are some key aspects:

• Increasing Awareness: It provides a worldwide platform that highlights the important concerns related to the growing population. This covers family planning techniques, reproductive health, demographic changes, and how these things are affecting sustainable development.
• Draw Attention to Opportunities and Challenges: The day also addresses issues such as poverty, resource scarcity, and environmental stress that is brought on by population growth. However, it also highlights the advantages of a larger population, such as innovation and a more diversified labour force.
• All-Inclusive Data Gathering:  Ensuring accurate counts of all people in worldwide censuses has been a recent World Population Day goal. Policymakers need to know this information in order to comprehend population requirements and develop long-term solutions.