Ecuador is a country straddling the equator on South America's west
coast.
Ecuador's early history as a country was a tormented one. For some eight
years it formed, together with what are now the countries of Panama, Colombia,
and Venezuela, the confederation of Gran Colombia. But on May 13, 1830,
after a period of protracted rivalries, Ecuador seceded and became a
separate independent republic, with Juan Jose Flores aa president.
Each year on May 13, the Catholic Church celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary by honouring her message of peace and by reflecting on her apparitions in Fatima, Portugal.
Between May 13 and October 13 of the year 1917, Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children - to brother and sister Francisco, 8, and Jacinta, 6, and their cousin Lucia, 9.
On May 13, 1917, the three children were in the field when they saw a "woman all in white, more brilliant than the sun." She told the children, "Please don't be afraid of me, I'm not going to harm you." When Lucia asked her where she came from, she told them, "I come from Heaven." Our Lady wore a white mantle, edged with gold, and carried a rosary. She asked the children to pray and devote themselves to the Holy Trinity, and "to say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war."
Over the course of her appearances, Mary revealed that the children would suffer, especially from the unbelief of their families, and that the two young children, Francisco and Jacinta, would be taken to Heaven, but Lucia would live longer, to spread the message of devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
When she appeared for the last time, Mary told Lucia, “I am the Lady of the Rosary.” That day, 70,000 people turned out to witness the apparition, because Mary had promised that she would show the people the apparitions were true. The crowd saw the sun make three circles, moving around the sky in a zigzag movement, that left no doubt about the truth. By 1930, the Bishop had approved of the apparitions and the message, and the Church has declared them authentic.
Our Lady told the children about her concerns that the world would face war, starvation, and persecution of the Church in the 20th century if people did not make reparations for sin. She told the children, and the Church, to pray and offer sacrifices to God so that peace may be spread across the world.
Our Lady of Fatima also revealed three prophetic “secrets.” The first two were revealed earlier, referring to the vision of hell and the souls languishing, the request for an ardent devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the prediction of the Second World War, and finally the prediction of the damage Russia would do by embracing Communism and rejecting Christianity.
The third secret was revealed in 2000 — “The good will be
martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be
annihilated.” This has been interpreted to include the assassination attempt on
Pope John Paul II in 1981, which happened on May 13, the 64th anniversary of
the apparitions.
Florence Nightingale, born on 12 May 1820, in Florence, Italy, was a British nurse, statistician,
and social reformer who was the foundational philosopher of modern nursing. Nightingale was put in charge of nursing British
and allied soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War. She spent many hours in the wards,
and her night rounds giving personal care to the wounded established her image
as the “Lady with the Lamp.” Her efforts to formalize nursing education led her to
establish the first scientifically based nursing school—the Nightingale School
of Nursing, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (opened 1860).
She also was instrumental in setting up training for midwives and nurses in workhouse infirmaries.
She was the first woman awarded the Order of Merit (1907). International Nurses Day, observed
annually on May 12, commemorates her birth and celebrates the
important role of nurses in health care.
Bob Marley, original name Robert Nesta Marley, who
passed away on 11 May 1981, aged 36, was a Jamaican reggae singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Considered
one of the pioneers of the genre, Marley fused elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady in his music and was renowned for his
distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley's contribution to
music increased the visibility of Jamaican music worldwide and made him a global figure in
popular culture. Over the course of his career, Marley became known as a Rastafarian icon, and he infused his music with a sense of
spirituality. He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican
music and culture and identity, and was controversial in his outspoken
support for democratic social reforms.
National Technology Day is celebrated annually in India on 11 May. This day
is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of innovators, scientists, and
engineers, and to promoting scientific and technological innovation in the
country. The day was first established in 1998 to commemorate the successful nuclear
test at
Pokharan. This test was a significant milestone in India's technological
advancement, and it paved the way for the country to acquire a leading position
in the field of nuclear weapons technology.
The National Technology Day celebrations are organized by a
number of organizations, including the Government
of India,
National Council for Science & Technology Communication, the Department of
Science & Technology, Various NGOs, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and the
Science Centres.
History of National Technology Day
The history of National Technology Day in India dates back to 1998, when
Indian Army conducted five nuclear bomb tests (Pokhran- II) in Rajasthan
under the surveillance of the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari
Vajpayee. The Pokhran - II was led by the Missile Man of India, Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam. India was entitled as the sixth nuclear country after the huge
success of Pokhran Test.
To celebrate the accomplishment of India in the field of nuclear
science, Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared 11 May as National Technology Day. The
first National Technology Day was observed on 11 May 1999. Pokhran nuclear
tests were a significant milestone in India’s efforts to achieve
technological advancement and pave the way for future developments in the
field.
By 1857, India - in whole or in part - had been under the rule of the
British East India Company (on behalf of the Crown) for nearly a century. The
assumption of British rule over this vast, diverse territory was not without
the bloodshed and anguish that marked the era of imperialism.
The simmering anger at British rule is symbolized best by the rebellion
of 1857. On 10 May of that year, sepoys in the town of Meerut mutinied against
the Company. This was swiftly followed by other rebellions and uprisings across
the country, but mainly in northern and central India. The rebellion against
the British was not a unanimous uprising: many Indians fought for the British,
and wholesale destruction laid waste to cities like Delhi and Lucknow.
Cruelty was widespread on both sides, and British reprisals after the
fact confirmed the original grievances of many that had taken part. After the
rebels were defeated, in 1858, the East India Company was disestablished and
direct rule was formed, leading to the creation of the British Raj.
On May 31, 1859, Big Ben rang over the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, for the first time. In October 1834, a fire destroye...
