Sir Garfield Sobers' Birth Anniversary

 

Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers, born on 28 July 1936, in Bridgetown, Barbados, was widely considered the greatest all-rounder in cricket history.

Known affectionately as "Sir Garry," he was an exceptionally versatile "five-in-one cricketer" who dominated international cricket for the West Indies Cricket Team from 1954 to 1974. He could effortlessly switch between elegant middle-order batting, left-arm fast-medium bowling, and two distinct styles of spin (orthodox and wrist-spin), while also acting as a brilliant close-in fielder and strategic captain.

Gorgeous Grandma Day

 

Gorgeous Grandma Day is celebrated annually on July 23to honour grandmothers and older women who break age-related stereotypes. Created in 1984 by radio host Alice Solomon, the day focuses on embracing confidence, individuality, and a vibrant lifestyle, showing that beauty has no age limit.

São João

 

São João is a vibrant Catholic festival celebrated primarily in Goa, India, and Portuguese-speaking countries on June 24th. Honouring St. John the Baptist, the Goan celebration coincided with the monsoon and features men leaping into water bodies wearing floral crowns (kopels).

1859, Big Ben chimes for the first time

 

On May 31, 1859, Big Ben rang over the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, for the first time.

In October 1834, a fire destroyed much of the Palace of Westminster, the medieval royal palace used as the home of the British parliament. The design for the new palace included a tower to house a large clock. One requirement for the clock was that the first stroke of the hour bell should be correct to within one second per day. Construction of the clock began in September 1843. When completed in 1859, it was the world's largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock.

The Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster is commonly known as Big Ben. Although the name Big Ben only refers to the bell, it is commonly associated with the whole clock tower. In addition to the Great Bell, the belfry houses four quarter bells, which play on the quarter hours.

The original bell was cast in August 1856. Since the tower was not finished, the bell was mounted in New Palace Yard. During testing, the bell cracked beyond repair and a replacement had to be made. The new bell was recast in April 1858 and first rang over the Houses of Parliament on May 31, 1859. In September, this bell also cracked. The hammer was discovered to be more than twice the maximum weight specified. A lighter hammer was installed, and the bell was repaired, although the crack remained. The bell gave an eighth turn so the new hammer struck an undamaged section. This is the bell we hear today.

Michael Clarke's Birthday

 

Michael John Clarke, born on 2 April 1981, in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, is an Australian former cricketer. He was captain of the Australian cricket team in both Test and One Day International (ODI) between 2011 and 2015, leading Australia to victory in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. He also served as captain of the Twenty20 International (T20I) team between 2007 and 2010. With his time representing Australia, Clarke won multiple ICC titles with the team: the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the 2015 Cricket World Cup which he was the winning captain, and the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy.

Nicknamed "Pup", Clarke was a right-handed middle-order batsman, an occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler and also a slip catcher. He represented New South Wales at the domestic level.

Clarke retired from all forms of cricket after the final Test of the 2015 Ashes series.

Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar's Birth Anniversary

 

Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, born on 1 April 1889, in Nagpur, was an Indian physician and the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He served as its first Sarsanghchalak (Supreme Leader) from its inception in 1925 until his death in 1940. 

Key Facts

• Founder of RSS: He established the RSS on the day of Vijayadashami in 1925 in Nagpur. His goal was to organise Hindu society and instill national character and discipline.
• Medical Background: He studied medicine at the National Medical College in Calcutta, receiving his degree in 1916.
• Political Involvement:
• Before founding the RSS, he was a member of the Indian National Congress and served as the joint secretary of the Provincial Congress in 1922.
• He was involved in revolutionary activities in Calcutta with the Anusheelan Samiti.
• He participated in the Non-cooperation Movement (1921) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), serving prison time for both.
• Philosophy: Hedgewar's vision focused on cultural regeneration and the idea of a united India rooted in indigenous ideology. He was heavily influenced by leaders like V.D. Savarkar and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
• Innovations: He introduced the concept of the Shakha (daily meeting/branch) where volunteers engage in physical exercises, patriotic songs, and discussions to build a sense of discipline and unity. He famously designated the Saffron Flag (Bhagwa Dhwaj) as the "Guru" of the organisation to promote loyalty to a philosophy rather than an individual. 

 

Johann Sebastian Bach's Birth Anniversary

Johann Sebastian Bach, born on 31 March 1685, in Eisenach, Germany, was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in Western classical music history. 

Key Highlights of His Life

• Early Life: Born into a legendary musical family in Eisenach, he was orphaned by age 10 and raised by his older brother, Johann Christoph, who gave him his first keyboard lessons.
• Career Path: He held several prestigious positions, most notably as Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold in Köthen (1717–1723) and as Thomaskantor (Director of Church Music) in Leipzig (1723–1750).
• Prolific Output: Bach composed over 1,100 works across nearly every major Baroque genre, including cantatas, concertos, suites, and passions, with the notable exception of opera.

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.

Jal Manekji Cooper's Birth Anniversary

Jal Manekji Cooper, born on 29 March 1905, in Mumbai, was an Indian philatelist, and an expert and authenticator of the postage stamps and postal history of India. Cooper was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the author of several philatelic handbooks. He was both a stamp dealer and a collector and was associated with philatelists like C.D. Desai, N. D. Cooper, and Robson Lowe.

Cooper is occasionally but erroneously credited with having discovered the Inverted Head 4 Annas.

The 1891 reprints show that this error was already known. E. A. Smythies said the error was first discovered at a meeting of the Philatelic Society of London in 1874.

The Jal Cooper Philatelic Society, in Varanasi, India, is named after him and India Post issued a 10 rupees commemorative stamp in 1997 depicting Cooper and Indian postmarks, on the occasion of INDEPEX 97.

 

 

Barnum & Bailey Day

 

March 28 marks an exciting celebration in the world of entertainment—it’s Barnum & Bailey Day! This day commemorates the iconic American circus known as “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which combined the talents of P.T. Barnum, J.A. Bailey, and the Ringling Brothers. It’s a day to remember the magic, excitement, and wonder that the circus has brought to audiences around the world. 

 

Five Fun Facts about Barnum & Bailey Day

·        The Barnum & Bailey Circus was created when P.T. Barnum’s circus merged with James Anthony Bailey’s in 1881.

·        Known for its elaborate spectacles, the circus travelled across the country in special trains.

·        The phrase “The Greatest Show on Earth” was actually coined by P.T. Barnum, showcasing his flair for the dramatic.

·        The circus was famous for its vast menagerie of animals, breathtaking acrobatic performances, and unique attractions.

·        Barnum & Bailey Day celebrate not just the circus, but the imagination and innovation that can turn dreams into reality.

 

In 1902, in Kolkata, the first Electric tram in Asia began operations

 

The first electric tram in Asia began operating in Kolkata (then Calcutta), India, in 1902. The inaugural electric tram service ran from Esplanade to Kidderpore on March 27, 1902, marking a major milestone in Asian urban transport after horse-drawn trams had operated in the city since 1873. 

 

• Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
• Start Date: March 27, 1902.
• First Route: Esplanade to Kidderpore.
• Significance: It is the oldest operating electric tram network in Asia, often referred to as a "living museum".
• Transition: Before electricity, the city operated horse-drawn trams (1873) and experimented with steam locomotives (1882). 

The Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) oversaw the transition from steam and horse-drawn trams to electric power. While many cities in Asia previously had tram systems, Kolkata remains the only city in India where they still run, albeit in a reduced capacity

National Spinach Day (United States)

 

National Spinach Day is celebrated annually on March 26th to promote the consumption of this nutrient-dense leafy green, which is high in iron, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber. The day encourages incorporating fresh or cooked spinach into diets, often highlighted by eating recipes like salads, pasta, or smoothies. 

Musiri Subramania Iyer's Death Anniversary

 

Musiri Subramania Iyer, who passed away on 25 March 1975, aged 75, was a 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.

 

Joseph Priestley's Birth Anniversary

Joseph Priestley, born on 24 March 1733, in Birstall, United Kingdom, was an English chemist, natural philosopher, separatist theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator, and liberal political theorist who published over 150 works. He has historically been credited with the independent discovery of oxygen in 1774 by the thermal decomposition of mercuric oxide, having isolated it. Although Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele also has strong claims to the discovery, Priestley published his findings first. Scheele discovered it by heating potassium nitrate, mercuric oxide, and many other substances in about 1772. 

 

World Meteorological Day

 

Observed annually on March 23, World Meteorological Day, commemorates the establishment of the World Meteorological Day (WMO) in 1950. This day recognises the vital contributions of meteorologists and underscores the importance of global collaboration in weather, climate, and water management. It also highlights WMO’s efforts in advancing weather forecasting and tackling climate challenges worldwide.

World Meteorological Day: History

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) was founded in March 1950 and became a specialised agency of the United Nations in 1951. This marked a new era of global cooperation in meteorology, hydrology and related sciences.

The idea for the WMO began in the mid-1930s as the importance of weather forecasting and climate studies grew. However, progress was delayed due to World War II. After the war, efforts to establish the organisation gained momentum which led to its formation.

The WMO focuses on standardising meteorological practices, supporting research and addressing global weather challenges. Today, it has 193 members which includes 187 member states and 6 territories, each managing its meteorological services. The first World Meteorological Day was celebrated on March 23, 1961.

World Meteorological Day: Significance

World Meteorological Day is an important day that draws attention to the challenges our planet faces in terms of weather, climate and water resources. It helps raise awareness about how these elements impact our daily lives and highlights the progress made in meteorology and climate science.

 

 

In 1890, Malayala Manorama newspaper founded

Malayala Manorama, one of India's oldest and most widely read newspapers, was founded by Kandathil Varghese Mappillai and began publication March 22, 1890.  It was established in Kottayam, Kerala, as a weekly initially, with a mission to bring "sunshine" to Malayalee homes. The newspaper is a staple in Kerala.

Kushal Konwar's Birth Anniversary

Kushal Konwar was a “Satyagrahi”, born on 21 March 1905, in Chaodang Chariali, Ghiladhari Mouza, Golaghat, Assam, India. During the last stages of the Quit India Movement in 1942–1943, he was the only martyr in India’s war for Independence to be hanged.

World Storytelling Day

Every year on March 20, World Storytelling Day celebrates the art of oral storytelling. It’s also a day for people around the globe to listen and tell stories in as many languages as possible.

Each year World Storytelling Day has a theme around which the storytellers tell their stories. The storytellers are free to choose their stories, but most of them try to connect to the theme. 

History of World Storytelling Day: World Storytelling Day started out as a national day for storytelling in Sweden around 1991. The day was called 'Alla berättares dag,' which translates to All Storytellers Day.

In 1997, storytellers in Australia coordinated a five-week long celebration of story. The day became known as the International Day of Oral Narrators. Around this time, Mexico and other Latin American countries were celebrating their own National Day of Storytellers. In 2002, Scandinavians created their own storytelling web-network called Ratatosk.

The new network helped the national day for storytelling spread from Sweden to Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia. In 2003, the idea continued to spread to other countries including Canada. The event became known as World Storytelling Day. Today, storytelling events occur on every continent except Antarctica.

Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal's Birth Anniversary

 

Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal, born on 19 March 1919, popularly known as D. K. Pattammal or DKP, was an Indian Carnatic musician and a playback singer for film songs in Tamil. Pattammal, along with her contemporaries M.S. Subbulakshmi and M.L. Vasanthakumari, are popularly referred to as the female trinity of Carnatic Music. This trio initiated the entry of women into mainstream Carnatic Music. She has been appreciated all over the world by Carnatic music lovers.

Ludwig Guttman's Death Anniversary

Sir Ludwig Guttmann CBE FRS who passed away on 18 March 1980, aged 80, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, was a German-British neurologist who established the Stoke Mandeville Games, the sporting event for people with disabilities (PWD) that evolved in England into the Paralympic Games. A Jewish doctor who fled Nazi Germany just before the start of the Second World War, Guttmann was a founding father of organized physical activities for people with disabilities.