Vasco Da Gama's Death Anniversary

Vasco da Gama, who passed away on 24 December 1524, in Cochin, India, was a Portuguese navigator whose voyages to India (1497–99, 1502–03, 1524) opened up the sea route from western Europe to the East by way of the Cape of Good Hope. The famed bridge named in his honour in Lisbon, the Vasco da Gama Bridge that crosses over the Tagus River estuary, spans 17.2 km (10.7 miles) and was the longest bridge in Europe at the time of its inauguration in 1998.

Silent Night first performed in 1818

It was on 24 December 1818, when "Silent Night" was first heard by Austrian villagers attending Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. How did this simple melody, with its words of comfort, become a beloved hymn of peace throughout the world?

The Story

"Silent Night" is about a calm and bright silent night, and the wonder of a tender and mild newborn child, words written in 1816 by a young priest in Austria, Joseph Mohr, not long after the Napoleonic wars had taken their toll.

It was Christmas Eve, 1818, when the now-famous carol was first performed as Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht. Joseph Mohr, the young priest who wrote the lyrics, played the guitar and sang along with Franz Xaver Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody.

An organ builder and repair man working at the church took a copy of the six-verse song to his home village. There, it was picked up and spread by two families of traveling folk singers, who performed around northern Europe. In 1834, the Strasser family performed it for the King of Prussia. In 1839, the Rainer family of singers debuted the carol outside Trinity Church in New York City. 

The composition evolved, and was translated into over 300 languages with many different arrangements for various voices and ensembles. It was sung in churches, in town squares, even on the battlefield during World War I, when, during a temporary truce on Christmas Eve, soldiers sang carols from home. "Silent Night," by 1914, known around the world, was sung simultaneously in French, German and English.

Over the years, the carol's mystique grew with its popularity. After the original manuscript was lost, for decades, some speculated that the music had been written by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven. In 1994, an original manuscript was found in Mohr's handwriting, with Gruber named as composer.

Today, the Franz Xaver Gruber Museum in Hallein and the Joseph Mohr School in Wagrain, Austria honour the creators of this classic carol. The Stille Nacht Gesellschaft—or Silent Night Society—hosts a virtual Silent Night museum, tracks events, and promotes the use of all six verses, which in the words of Silent Night Society president "[encourage] peace and [demand] responsibility for the globe."

The English version of "Silent Night" is typically sung in three verses corresponding with the original 1, 6, and 2.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. 'Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild.  Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior is born, Christ, the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.  Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Mohammed Rafi's Birth Anniversary

Mohammed Rafi, born on 24 December 1924, was an Indian playback singer. He is considered as one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his voice, versatility and range; his songs were varied from fast peppy numbers to patriotic songs, sad numbers to highly romantic songs, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans to classical songs. He was known for his ability to mould his voice to the persona and style of an actor, lip-syncing the song on screen in the movie. He received six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, he was honoured with the "Best Singer of the Millennium" title by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine. In 2013, Rafi was voted for the Greatest Voice in Hindi Cinema in the CNN-IBN's poll.

National Consumer Day (India)

National Consumer Day is celebrated every year in India on December 24. National Consumer Day  is an opportunity for the government, civil society organizations, and citizens to come together and focus on improving the effectiveness of consumer protection laws and addressing issues related to consumer grievances.

This day marks the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 in India, which laid the foundation for safeguarding consumer interests against unfair trade practices. 

 

Christmas Eve (Gregorian calendar)

 

Christmas Eve, which is the day before Christmas Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. It is a Christian observance that falls on December 24 in the Gregorian calendar.

It is a time of anticipation, joy, and preparation for the grand celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. Beyond its religious significance, Christmas Eve is a time for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and create lasting memories. Homes are adorned with festive decorations, and church services, often including Midnight Mass, are attended to mark the occasion. Christmas Eve is a night filled with the warmth of love, the twinkle of lights, and the sweet scent of holiday treats, making it a delightful prelude to the joyous festivities of Christmas Day.

Why is Christmas Eve Celebrated?

Christmas Eve is celebrated for several significant reasons:

1) Birth of Jesus Christ: At its core, Christmas Eve is a Christian observance that commemorates the night when Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, is believed to have been born. It marks the beginning of the Christmas season, which culminates in the celebration of Christ’s birth on Christmas Day.

2) Religious Observance: For Christians, Christmas Eve holds deep religious significance. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and attending church services, including the traditional Midnight Mass. These services focus on the Nativity story and the message of hope, love, and salvation that Jesus brought into the world.

3)  Anticipation and Preparation: Beyond its religious aspect, Christmas Eve is a time of joyful anticipation and preparation for Christmas Day. Families come together to decorate homes, exchange gifts, and share special meals. It is a time to express love and gratitude to loved ones.

4)  Traditions and Customs: Christmas Eve is rich in cultural traditions and customs that vary from one region to another. These traditions often include the hanging of stockings for gifts, leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus, and the lighting of candles to symbolize the spreading of light and hope.

5)  Unity and Togetherness: Christmas Eve brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and togetherness. It encourages families and communities to gather, share, and create lasting memories. It is a time when people reach out to others, spreading goodwill and joy.

6)  Global Celebration: Christmas Eve is not limited to one specific region or culture; it is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. It transcends borders and serves as a universal occasion for the celebration of love, generosity, and the spirit of giving.

 

 

 

 

Rambriksh Benipuri's Birth Anniversary

 

Rambriksh Benipuri, born on 23 December 1899, was a freedom fighter, Socialist Leader editor and Hindi writer. He had spent nine years in prison for fighting for India's independence. He was the founder of Bihar Socialist Party in 1931 and Congress Socialist Party in 1934. He served as the president of Patna District Congress Committee of Indian National Congress from 1935 to 1937 during the 1937 Indian provincial elections. He was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (India) from Katra North in 1957. In 1958, he was elected as the Syndicate Member of Bihar University, Muzaffarpur.

Noor Jehan's Death Anniversary

 

Noor Jehan, who passed away on 23 December 2000, also known by her honorific title Malika-e-Tarannum (the queen of melody), was a Pakistani playback singer and actress who worked first in British India and then in the cinema of Pakistan. Her career spanned more than six decades (the 1930s–1990s). Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential singers of all time especially in South Asia, she was given the honorific title of Malika-e-Tarannum in Pakistan. She had a command of Hindustani classical music as well as other music genres.