National Pet Day (U.S.)

 

National Pet Day is observed to celebrate the unique bond between you and your pet. The day is celebrated on April 11 across the world. It is a day to celebrate the joy that pets bring into our lives and to raise awareness about the importance of animal welfare.

It is true that pets give us unconditional love and care. They become family members; National Pet Day is a unique opportunity to dedicate a day to your pet.

National Pet Day History

The day was first launched in 2006 by Colleen Paige, an animal welfare campaigner. Paige has also created other pet-related holidays such as National Dog Day and National Cat Day. The purpose of this day is to bring attention to the plight of animals who are stuck in shelters across the globe.

Significance of National Pet Day

The day provides an opportunity to contribute towards the safety of pets. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about saving animals from living in bad conditions. While it was initially only observed in the US, it has started to gain popularity in other countries. It has now become a global movement.

As many countries/people in the world celebrate National Pet Day today, we must not forget those animals that do not have a home and are struggling every day to survive.

 

 

Global Day to End Sexual Abuse

Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse is observed annually on April 11 to raise awareness of child sexual abuse and to create a strong community to end it. The day was initiated by 'The Innocence Revolution', an organization founded by Jill Starishevsky and Tom Scales to combat sexual exploitation worldwide.

Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse was first observed in 2013 in more than 30 countries and more than half of U.S. states. At that time, more than 300, 000 children were being sexually abused around the world every year. Most child sexual abuse victims are under the age of ten. About one in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse by the age of 18.

National Safe Motherhood Day

Motherhood is one of the most profound and beautiful experiences in a woman’s life. To honour this journey of love, strength and sacrifice, India observes National Safe Motherhood Day every year on 11 April. The day aims to raise awareness about maternal health — before, during and after pregnancy. It also highlights the importance of safe childbirth, particularly in rural areas.

National Safe Motherhood Day: History

National Safe Motherhood Day was established in 2003 by the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI). The date marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mahatma Gandhi, who dedicated her life to the welfare of women and children.

National Safe Motherhood Day: Significance

The day underscores the importance of maternal health and safety—no mother should be left behind. A healthy beginning paves the way for a stronger future.

Many women face serious challenges during pregnancy and childbirth, often due to a lack of awareness and inadequate access to healthcare. This day advocates for improved maternal health services and aims to address the social, economic and cultural barriers that impact maternal well-being.

 

National Farm Animals Day (U.S.)

 

National Farm Animals Day is celebrated every year on 10 April. This day is dedicated to providing awareness about the poor living conditions of farm animals and the importance of taking steps to improve their lives. We should be a part of the events that talk about protecting farm animals. We should build better living conditions for them and look after their safety.

National Farm Animals Day: History

The history of National Farm Animals Day dates back to 2005, when a celebrity pet lifestyle expert, Colleen Paige, first proposed that a day should be set aside to highlight the concerns faced by farm animals.

She emphasized the need for better living conditions for livestock to ensure their health and well-being. Since then, people have started focusing more on the living conditions of farm animals. 

Today, National Farm Animals Day is widely celebrated, with many celebrities and animal lovers raising awareness about the issue through social media campaigns and other means. This day also offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of consuming farm products in order to support the sustainable agriculture industry.

Musiri Subramania Iyer's Birth Anniversary

 

Musiri Subramania Iyer, born on 9 April 1899, was an Indian Carnatic vocalist whose stage performing career spanned the 1920s to the 1940s. After retirement from the stage, he remained an iconic figure in Carnatic music as a dedicated teacher and leader in the Carnatic community. His bhava -laden renditions of Carnatic songs have become the measuring stick for generations of Carnatic vocalists. Musiri Subramania Iyer is considered one of the giants of Carnatic music in the twentieth century.

 

Jumbo Day

Jumbo Day is celebrated on April 9 every year. It is dedicated to paying tribute to Jumbo, the Elephant who is also known as Jumbo the Circus Elephant (an African forest elephant born in Sudan in the 19th century). He was moved from Africa to the French menagerie Jardin des Plantes in Paris and then to the London menagerie. He was purchased by an American merchant and showman who took him to the United States. On September 15, 1885, Jumbo passed away. The appellation of the enormous elephant is the origin of the word ‘jumbo’ and has left its mark on popular culture.

History

On December 25, 1860, Jumbo was born in Sudan. His mother was killed by poachers when he was an infant. Lorenzo Casanova, an Italian animal dealer and explorer, bought Jumbo from the elephant hunter Taher Sheriff of Sudan and the German big-game hunter Johann Schmidt of Germany. The animals that Casanova had bought in Sudan were subsequently transported to Suez and then across the Mediterranean Sea to Trieste, Italy. In the 19th century, Gottlieb Christian Kreutzberg’s “Menagerie Kreutzberg” in Germany purchased Casanova’s collection of creatures.  Subsequently, Jumbo was shipped to the Paris menagerie Jardin des Plantes. He was moved to the London Zoo once more on June 26.

Jumbo was a crowd favourite because of his immense size, and kids, even Queen Victoria, would ride on his back. Matthew Scott, who released an 1885 autobiography chronicling his life with Jumbo, monitored his activities in London. Jumbo broke both of his tusks and when they grew back, he continued to grind them against the enclosure’s stone walls. Abraham Bartlett, the superintendent of the London Zoo in 1882, made headlines and sparked intense debate when he suggested selling Jumbo to an American showman and businessman for £2,000 ($10,000).  Bartlett claimed that the growing aggressiveness and propensity for public disturbance exhibited by Jumbo were major factors in his choice.

Londoners were outraged by the sale of Jumbo because of the devastating impact it would have on the British Empire. One hundred thousand students petitioned Queen Victoria to stop the sale of Jumbo. This, however, was ultimately unsuccessful, and Jumbo and his new owner, an American entertainer and owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, P T Barnum, soon departed London. Jumbo died on September 15, 1885.

Significance

Jumbo Day is a throwback to a time when circuses were prominent. It gives us a glimpse of the era when travelling circuses dominated Western culture. Jumbo was a treasure for the nation. Jumbo was such an influential figure in modern history. He was a treasure to the nation and the globe.

 

World Konkani Day

World Konkani Day has been celebrated on April 9^th since 2015 in honour of the death anniversary of Shenoi Goembab (1877-1946), Konkani activist and writer. Konkani is an Indo-Aryan language, mainly spoken along the western coastal region of Konkan of India, including Goa. During the Portuguese rule in Goa, Konkani was diminished in status to the profit of Marathi and Portuguese languages. Shenoi Goembab was responsible for bringing back glory to the Konkani language by reminding his counterparts that their mother tongue is the language of the soul! He also wrote stories, tales, proverbs of the Konkani language and folklore, contributed to children's literature, and translated many classics such as Moliere, Shakespeare, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Pygmy Hippo Day

  

Pygmy Hippo Day is an international ecological celebration observed on April 8th. This day is dedicated to the pygmy hippo, a rare and little-studied species that is endangered. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about the need to protect these animals and their natural habitat.

What is the pygmy hippo?

The pygmy hippo (*Choeropsis liberiensis*) is a smaller relative of the common hippopotamus. It lives in the tropical forests of West Africa, primarily in Liberia, but also in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire. Unlike its larger relatives, the pygmy hippo leads a more secretive life and prefers solitude.

Significance of the day

This day aims to raise awareness about the pygmy hippo, its uniqueness, and the threats it faces. The main issues affecting the decline of its population are:

- Loss of its natural habitat due to deforestation.

- Poaching and illegal hunting.

- The limited number of individuals in the wild.

Victoria Ocampo's Birth Anniversary

Ramona Victoria Epifanía Rufina Ocampo, born on 7 April 1890, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was an Argentine writer and intellectual. Best known as an advocate for others and as publisher of the literary magazine Sur, she was also a writer and critic in her own right and one of the most prominent South American women of her time. Her sister was Silvina Ocampo, also a writer. She was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970 and 1974.

Begum Hazrat Mahal's death Anniversary

 

Begum Hazrat Mahal, also known as the Begum of Awadh, was the second wife of Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah, and the regent of Awadh in 1857–1858, who passed away on 7 April 1879, in Kathmandu, Kingdom of Nepal, aged 59. She is known for the leading role she had in the rebellion against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

After her husband had been exiled to Calcutta and the Indian Rebellion broke out, she made her son, Prince Birjis Qadr, the Wali (ruler) of Awadh, with herself as regent during his minority. However, she was forced to abandon this role after a short reign. By way of Hallaur, she finally found asylum in Nepal, where she died in 1879. Her role in the rebellion has given her a hero status in the post-colonial history of India.

Kelucharan Mohapatra's Death Anniversary

 

Kelucharan Mohapatra, who passed away on 7 April 2004, in Bhubaneshwar, aged 78, was an Indian dancer who led a 20th-century revival of Odissi, a centuries-old style of dance associated with temples of Orissa and one of the principal forms of Indian classical dance.

Mohapatra was born to a family of artists who painted patachitras (religious folk paintings on thinly woven cloth). He trained and performed as a traditional dancer and drummer, studying in his youth with masters of odissi. In 1953 he began teaching odissi at a conservatory in Cuttack. Excelling in both technique and pantomimic expression, Mohapatra sought to expand the style’s traditional repertoire, making innovative use of forms from ancient texts and sculptures in his choreography. Mohapatra soon came to be regarded as a master of Indian classical dance, and his performances popularized odissi both in India and around the world.

Mohapatra received a number of awards from the Indian government for his cultural and artistic achievements, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2000.

Fresh Tomato Day

 

The 6th of April is Fresh Tomato Day, a day to celebrate the beauty of fresh tomatoes. Tomatoes are a significant source of umami flavour and are cultivated in both temperate and tropical regions of the world. Typically, they are consumed raw or cooked. Numerous varieties of the tomato plant are typically grown in temperate climates throughout the world, with purpose-built greenhouses assisting in the production of tomatoes throughout the year. Tomato plants are typically three to ten feet tall, with vines and a weak, sprawling stem.

History of Fresh Tomato Day

The tomato is believed to have descended or evolved from the native to western South America Solanum pimpinellifolium, also known as the currant tomato or wild tomato. These wild tomatoes were typically about the size of peas and were smaller than the tomatoes we have today. The so-called domestication of tomatoes can be traced back to the Aztecs and other Mesoamericans, who consumed the fruit both raw and cooked. The Spanish brought tomatoes to Europe, where they quickly became a staple in Spanish cooking. In northern European countries such as France, Italy, and others, the tomato was initially grown as an ornamental plant, similar to flowers.

Botanists viewed the tomato with skepticism as a food item because they believed it to be a nightshade. This skepticism and suspicion were exacerbated by the tomato juice’s acidity. Tomatoes were referred to as “poison apples” because it was believed that eating them caused aristocrats to become ill and die. The wealthy Europeans of the time may have used lead-rich pewter plates, and because tomatoes are so acidic, the fruit leached lead from the plate when it came into contact with the fruit, causing lead poisoning and death.

At the time, ignorance prevented anyone from connecting the dots between the plate and the poison, so the simplest solution was to blame the tomato. Tomato leaves and immature fruit contain tomatin, which could be toxic in large quantities. However, ripe tomato fruit is devoid of tomatin.

 

 

Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati's Death Anniversary

 

Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati, who passed away on 5 April 1922, at Kedgaon, Bombay Presidency, British India, aged 63, was an Indian social reformer and Christian missionary. She was the first woman to be awarded the titles of Pandita as a Sanskrit scholar and Sarasvati after being examined by the faculty of the University of Calcutta.  She was one of the ten women delegates of the Congress session of 1889. During her stay in England in early 1880s she converted to Christianity. After that she toured extensively in the United States to collect funds for destitute Indian women. With the funds raised she started Sharada Sadan for child widows. In the late 1890s, she founded Mukti Mission, a Christian charity at Kedgaon village, forty miles east of the city of Pune. The mission was later named Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission.

Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi's Birth Anniversary

Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi, born on 4 April 1889, also called Pandit ji, was an Indian poet, writer, essayist, playwright and journalist who is particularly remembered for his participation in India's national struggle for independence and his contribution to Chhavavaad, the Neo-romanticism movement of Hindi literature. He was awarded the first Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi for his work Him Tarangini in 1955. The Government of India awarded him the civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan in1963. For his works reinforcing Indian nationalism during the British Raj, he is referred to as the Yug Charan.

Sagarmal Gopa's Death Anniversary

 

Sagarmal Gopa, who passed away on 4 April 1946, aged 45, was a freedom fighter and patriot from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. His father Akhairaj gopa was a courtier in Maharawal Jawahar Singh's court. Sagarmal Gopa had recorded the atrocities of Jawahar Singh, the contemporary ruler of Jaisalmer, in his book "Jaisalmer ka Gundaraj", after which the enmity between Jawahar Singh and Sagarmal Gopa increased. He took active part in the Non-cooperation movement in 1921. He opposed anti-people policies of then rulers of Jaisalmer. He was expelled from Jaisalmer and Hyderabad. Even in exile he continued to work for freedom movement. After his father's death in 1941, on his return to Jaisalmer he was arrested on 25 May 1941. Sagermal gopa was tortured in prison for years. He was burnt to death in the prison on 4 April 1946. "Gopal Swaroop Pathak commission" was formed to investigate the murder of Sagarmal Gopa, which under the influence of Jawahar Singh, declared this murder as suicide. 3 books were written by gopa 1) aajadi ke diwane 2) jaisalmer ka gundaraj 3) raghunath singh ka mukadma.

The Government of India issued a postage stamp in 1986 in honour of Sagarmal Gopa. A branch of Indira Gandhi Canal is named after him.

World Party Day

 

World Party Day is celebrated every year on April 3rd and it is also known as P-Day. It encourages people around the globe to celebrate life together.

It's an unofficial holiday that promotes universal fun and harmony with the aim to make the world a better place. 

The Story Behind The Origin Of World Party Day

The idea for this unofficial holiday derives from the book Flight: A Quantum Fiction Novel, published in 1995 by American author Vanna Bonta.

In the book, there is a clock that counts down to April 3, 2000, which marks the day when a synchronized worldwide celebration takes place to display joy all around the globe. 

People got inspired by the novel and the first World Party Day was celebrated in 1996 with the help of people from different organizations. 

The goal of this day is to bring people together in a joyful celebration to promote cooperation, peace, and humanitarian progress, and to contribute to a happy and positive future. 

How to Celebrate World Party Day

This day is all about partying, but it is also about cooperation and diversity. Organize a party at your house, school, or even a block party to bring your community together.

Encourage people to talk, get together and have fun! Ask people from different backgrounds and cultures to share their food and customs, to really bring in the spirit of World Party Day.

Everyone has a different idea of what a party is. If you're more of a private person, invite some family and friends over to party with you, your own way.

Whether that's a barbecue, a pizza party, a themed party, a murder mystery, a movie night, or a game night. The possibilities really are endless! Just make sure everyone is having fun. 

It is also likely that there will be a big party happening near you. If you're a party animal, get a group of friends together and go celebrate life by dancing and having fun! 

World Cloud Security Day

On 3rd April, we observe World Cloud Security Day annually, a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the significance of cloud security in our progressively digital world. It was when a whopping 70% of all corporate data was stored in the cloud. The surge in cloud usage, hastened by the global pandemic, highlighted the critical need for robust cloud security measures.

As businesses and individuals worldwide increasingly adopt cloud-based solutions for storage and operations, the security of these platforms has become of utmost importance. From multinational corporations to small businesses and individual users, everyone has a stake in ensuring the security of their data.

World Cloud Security Day acts as a global call to action. It encourages all cloud users to assess their security posture and implement robust measures to safeguard their data and systems. This can include multifactor authentication, regular software updates, and stringent security policies.

The day also aims to bridge the gap between data clouds and online safety. It serves as a reminder that while the cloud offers numerous benefits, it also presents new challenges and vulnerabilities that must be addressed.

As we look towards the future, World Cloud Security Day will continue to play a pivotal role in promoting best practices and fostering a culture of security. It is a day for every cloud user, irrespective of their location or the size of their data footprint, to reevaluate and strengthen their digital security.

World Cloud Security Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a global initiative that underscores the importance of cloud security and encourages proactive measures to safeguard our digital world. As cloud usage continues to grow, so too will the significance of this day.

National Find a Rainbow Day

 

The month of April brings spring showers. After those showers, the sun comes out and a rainbow often appears. Each year on April 3rd, National Find a Rainbow Day challenges us to look to the sky and find a colourful ray of hope cast across it.

A rainbow is a spectrum of light in the form of a multi-coloured arc, appearing in the sky, that is caused by both reflection and refraction of light in water droplets in the Earth’s atmosphere. Rainbows always appear directly opposite of the sun. The light is refracted (bent) when it enters a droplet of water (which acts as a prism), then is reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it.

A rainbow has seven colours because water droplets in the atmosphere break sunlight into seven colours. When light leaves one medium and enters another, the light changes its propagation direction and bends. Red is the colour that is visible on the outer part of a rainbow and violet on the inside of a primary rainbow.

First Human Canonball Launched in 1877

 

The first human cannonball, launched on April 2, 1877 at the Royal Aquarium in London, was the 17-year-old Rossa Matilda Richter, going by the stage name "Zazel". She was launched by a spring-style cannon invented by the Canadian William Leonar Hunt ("The Great Farini"). She later toured with the P.T. Barnum Circus. Farini's cannon used rubber springs to launch a person from the cannon, limiting the distance they could be launched. Richter's career as a human cannonball ended when she broke her back during an unrelated tightrope act.

National Walking Day 2025

Every year, on the first Wednesday of April, we celebrate National Walking Day.  In 2025, National Walking Day falls on April 2.

Walking is considered one of the easiest ways to stay fit and healthy; it has been proven effective in preventing many illnesses including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, with only as little as 30 minutes a day. So, what makes walking good for your health, and why you should you build it into your daily routine? Read on to find out…

Why walking?

Walking is easy. It does not require any special skills, complex technique or equipment. You can walk pretty much everywhere, be in charge of your pace and time without spending any money (except for some comfy shoes). Regular walks can help to prevent cardiovascular diseases, lower your blood sugar and boost immune function. During a brisk walk, our heart pumps more blood, which makes it stronger. It’s also great for getting those legs toned up!

1.      Instant mood-booster

When we walk our bodies are getting more oxygen, which translates into more energy and puts us in a better mood. Generally, people who walk regularly are physically fitter than those who do not exercise at all. Regular walking also has a positive effect on our immunity, with people who walk daily are less likely to catch a cold. As you walk outdoors, you also get more vitamin D which contributes to higher energy levels, improved immunity, and better bone and muscle health.

2.     Supports maintaining a healthy weight

After only a few weeks of implementing regular walks into a daily routine, those trying to lose weight will begin to notice its effect. Unlike running or jogging, walking does not put pressure on your joints, back or spine. Though it can be a less aerobic exercise, brisk walking for 45 minutes will enable your body to burn around 300 calories (depending on the pace and your weight). This makes it a perfect form of exercise for people with joint injuries or those looking to maintain or lose weight.

3.     Better sleep 

It is said that 10% to 30% of adults suffer from insomnia. While there may be many reasons behind this, one of the solutions to aid better sleep is walking. Even a 20-30 minutes’ walk in the fresh air can help improve the quality of your sleep. Especially for those who prefer working out in the evening, walking is a perfect alternate evening exercise to vigorous activity such as aerobics, which can disrupt your sleep.

4. Discover new parts of your local area

There are plenty of great walks around you if you choose to discover. The list of benefits or regular walks is endless. It gives many physical and mental health benefits and is a great way to go back to regular physical activity. It can prevent serious illnesses and even make you live longer. On top of that, it is free and easy to fit into our daily routines.

So put your walking shoes on and enjoy!

Reserve Bank of India was founded in 1935

The Reserve Bank of India is the central bank of the country. Central banks are a relatively recent innovation and most central banks, as we know them today, were established around the early twentieth century.

The Reserve Bank of India was set up on the basis of the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission. The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (II of 1934) provides the statutory basis of the functioning of the Bank, which commenced operations on April 1, 1935.

The Bank was constituted to

·        Regulate the issue of banknotes

·        Maintain reserves with a view to securing monetary stability and

·        To operate the credit and currency system of the country to its advantage.

The Bank began its operations by taking over from the Government the functions so far being performed by the Controller of Currency and from the Imperial Bank of India, the management of Government accounts and public debt. The existing currency offices at Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Rangoon, Karachi, Lahore and Cawnpore (Kanpur) became branches of the Issue Department. Offices of the Banking Department were established in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Delhi and Rangoon.

Burma (Myanmar) seceded from the Indian Union in 1937 but the Reserve Bank continued to act as the Central Bank for Burma till Japanese Occupation of Burma and later up to April, 1947. After the partition of India, the Reserve Bank served as the central bank of Pakistan up to June 1948 when the State Bank of Pakistan commenced operations. The Bank, which was originally set up as a shareholder's bank, was nationalized in 1949.

An interesting feature of the Reserve Bank of India was that at its very inception, the Bank was seen as playing a special role in the context of development, especially Agriculture. When India commenced its plan endeavours, the development role of the Bank came into focus, especially in the sixties when the Reserve Bank, in many ways, pioneered the concept and practice of using finance to catalyze development. The Bank was also instrumental in institutional development and helped set up institutions like the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, the Unit Trust of India, the Industrial Development Bank of India, the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Discount and Finance House of India etc. to build the financial infrastructure of the country.

With liberalization, the Bank's focus has shifted back to core central banking functions like Monetary Policy, Bank Supervision and Regulation, and Overseeing the Payments System and onto developing the financial markets.

 

Project Tiger Launched in 1973

 

Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation movement initiated in India to protect the endangered tiger. The project was formed on 1 April 1973 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India. As of March 2025, there are 58 protected areas that have been designated as tiger reserves under the project. As of 2023, there were 3,682 wild tigers in India, which is almost 75% of the world's wild tiger population.

History and objectives

Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India. The project was initiated to protect the Bengal Tiger and its habitats and to establish dedicated tiger reserves for sustaining tiger populations. As per the section 38 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 972, the state governments are responsible for preparing a Tiger Conservation Plan which includes planning and management of notified areas and maintaining the requisite competent staff to ensure the protection of the tiger reserve and providing inputs for maintaining a viable population of tigers, co-predators and prey animals.

Tiger reserves consist of a core area which includes part(s) of protected areas such as a national park or a wildlife sanctuary and a buffer zone which is a mix of forested and non-forested land. Project tiger is aimed at performing the necessary activities to ensure viability of tiger population in the core area and to promote a balance between the existence of people and animals in the buffer zones. In 2006, National Tiger Conservation Authority was formed to administer the tiger reserves which were set up as a part of Project Tiger with Project Tiger becoming a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) to provide funding for the establishment and administration of the tiger reserves.

In 1973, nine protected areas were initially designated as tiger reserves. By the late 1980s, the initial nine reserves covering an area of 9,115 km² (3,519 sq mi) had been increased to 15 reserves covering an area of 24,700 km² (9,500 sq mi). By 1997, 23 tiger reserves encompassed an area of 33,000 km² (13,000 sq mi). As of March 2025, there are 58 protected that have been designated as tiger reserves.

Transfer Day (U.S. Virgin Islands)

Transfer Day is a public holiday in the U.S. Virgin Islands observed on March 31st.

The holiday commemorates this day in 1917 when Denmark ceded the islands to the United States.

History of Transfer Day

These Caribbean islands are part of the Virgin Islands archipelago. They are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and lie west of the British Virgin Islands.

On March 31st 1917, the 133-square-mile island chain comprising the Danish West Indies was ceded to the United States by Denmark, becoming the U.S. Virgin Islands in exchange for $25 million in gold.

The U.S. interest in the islands primarily was their strategic location to improve military positioning during World War I. Later, the islands were a foothold in the Caribbean for the U.S. Navy in World War II.

The islands are an organized, unincorporated United States territory.

Eiffel Tower Day

Eiffel Tower Day is celebrated on March 31, every year. The event is observed to celebrate the inauguration of the monument in history. On this day in 1889, the skyscraper was revealed to the public. 

What is the history of the Eiffel Tower?

A design competition was held in central Paris and more than 100 artists turned in their ideas, for an international fair to display the industrial advancement of France in the 19th century.

Gustave Eiffel proposed 1,000 feet open-lattice iron tower in the heart of Paris and received the contract in the year 1887.  He began work on the project on January 28, 1887, and completed it in two years, two months, and five days despite years of uncertainty, criticism, and even protests. 

Since its opening in 1889, the Eiffel Tower has become one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in Paris but throughout the globe. The magnificent iron tower is surely a great technical achievement and motivating representation of the City of Lights.

What is inside the Eiffel Tower?

There are three floors in the Eiffel Tower: the first floor, the second floor, and the summit (top level). On the first level, there are museums, a glass floor, frequently changing exhibitions, gift shops, and dining establishments. The Jules Verne restaurant, additional shops, and an observation area are all located on the second level.

The summit or top floor is mainly the highest observation deck in Europe at 276 metres (905 feet) above sea level. Along with a champagne bar and a replica of Gustave Eiffel's workplace, the top floor is divided into two levels.

Why the Eiffel Tower is so famous?

Gustave's vision gave Paris a new lease on life and made it into the romantic city we know today, with his creation. He intended the structure to serve as a representation of the "great scientific movement of the eighteenth century and the Revolution of 1789," in his own words.

The most well-known example of a lattice, or free-standing framework skyscraper, Eiffel Tower is constructed of wrought iron. Its delicate shape and economy of design made it quite a daring design at the time it was built.

The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid landmark in the world, with an average of 25,000 visitors per day, and it is unquestionably due to its great artistry.

What are the 7 facts about the Eiffel Tower?

·        Even though Eiffel received credit for the Tower's naming, the initial design was created by his company's two engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier.

·        The Tower was designed to showcase France's manufacturing prowess during the World's Fair, but its intended lifespan was 20 years.

·        The enormous iron construction will sway during a storm despite being wind-resistant. Along with this, the enormous Tower also expands by an additional six inches each summer.

·        About 60 tonnes of paint are applied to the structure every seven years. It not only prevents rusting but also maintains the so-called La dame de fer attraction.

·        The 20,000-bulb sparkling light display that first illuminated the night sky on New Year's Eve 1999 is covered by copyright laws in France.

·        Despite its enduring popularity today, the Eiffel Tower narrowly escaped destruction in World War II.

·        The Eiffel Tower honours 72 French scientists and engineers with their names engraved on its ironwork. 

The Eiffel Tower, which is 1,063 feet tall and overlooks Paris, stands as a testament to the achievements of Western culture and modern engineering. And, the Eiffel Tower Day is an occasion of joy for millions of people worldwide because it is one of the most well-known monuments in the world.

 

 

Land Day (Palestine)

 

Land Day marks the Palestinian people’s collective uprising against Israeli systematic land theft and dispossession. On March 30, 1976, Israeli forces massacred six Palestinian protestors during mass demonstration s against the Israeli occupation’s theft of thousands of dunums of Palestinian land in the Galilee. Since 1976, the struggle has only intensified. Today, the Israeli settler colonial project and ethnic cleansing campaign continue to steal land, forcibly displace communities, and intensify its structural oppression across all of Palestine.

World Bipolar Day

 

The vision of World Bipolar Day (WBD) is to bring world awareness to bipolar conditions and to eliminate social stigma. Through international collaboration, the goal of WBD is to bring the world population information about bipolar conditions that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the condition.

WBD is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having a bipolar condition.

WBD is an initiative of the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) in collaboration with the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD) and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD).

 

For those living with bipolar disorder, World Bipolar Day offers an opportunity to connect with others as well as assistance gaining access to valuable resources and relationships that can improve their lives through treatment.

National Pencil Day (U.S.)

 

National Pencil Day is observed on 30 March, every year. This day is significant as it celebrates the ‘modern pencil’ as we know it today. It is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the history of pencils and how they have evolved over time.

Pencils are very important and now should know about their discovery. This day provides an opportunity to know more about pencils and their importance in our lives.

National Pencil Day: History

The first step in the evolution of pencils dates back to the 16th century when the world discovered graphite. Graphite is a crystallized form of carbon that was found in Keswick, England. At this time, people began using graphite to write. However, it was not until the 1790s that a mass production of pencils was made possible. This was because France was cut off from this supply of pencils due to their war with Britain.

In 1794, German engineer Nicolas-Jacques Conté invented ‘Crayons Conté’, which was a low-quality graphite mixed with clay, shaped into rods, and baked.

This method allowed pencil makers in France to stop relying on the British for pencils. Soon, Germany became the major supplier of pencils to the world. With the mass production of pencils, it became easier to write letters and draw pictures.

Artists and non-artists alike began to use pencils to express themselves. In addition, pencils were used as a teaching tool in schools. They were seen as an essential tool for developing literacy skills and creativity.

National Pencil Day: Significance

Today, pencils are widely used and considered an essential part of our daily lives. They are used for writing, drawing, and solving puzzles. It is difficult to imagine a future without pencils.

National Pencil Day 2024 is an opportunity to reflect on the history of this seemingly humble tool and how it has evolved into a critical part of our lives.

One should note that pencils are also planet-friendly. They are made of wood and do not require any accessories. National Pencil Day allows us to know all the interesting facts about this item.