Sir Thomas Sean Connery's Birth Anniversary

 

Sir Thomas Sean Connery, born on 25 August 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland, was a legendary Scottish actor widely recognized for being the first to portray James Bond on screen. Beyond his iconic 007 role, he had a decorated career spanning decades, earning an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes. Connery was also an ardent supporter of Scottish independence and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.

 

Career highlights

·   James Bond (1962–1983): Connery originated the role of the suave British secret agent in the 1962 film Dr. No and starred in seven films in the franchise. His introduction, "Bond... James Bond," became a cultural catchphrase and defined the character for a generation.

·   The Untouchables (1987): He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as veteran Chicago cop Jimmy Malone.

·   Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): Connery famously played Harrison Ford's father, Henry Jones Sr., in the Steven Spielberg-directed adventure film.

·  The Hunt for Red October (1990): He starred as a defecting Soviet submarine captain in the commercially successful Cold War thriller.

·   The Man Who Would Be King (1975): In this critically acclaimed film by director John Huston, Connery starred alongside his close friend Michael Caine as two British soldiers who crown themselves kings in a remote land.

·   Highlander (1986): He played the mentor figure Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez to the younger protagonist.

·  The Rock (1996): Connery starred as a former SAS soldier turned political prisoner who helps an FBI agent break into Alcatraz. 

 

Vesuvius Day

 

August 24 is commemorated as Vesuvius Day, honouring the most famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The historical date and its revision

·   The traditional date (August 24, 79 A.D.): For centuries, this date was widely accepted based on a copy of a letter by Pliny the Younger, an eyewitness to the event. Pliny wrote his account 20 years after the disaster, and the date may have been corrupted over 1,400 years of hand-copying.

 

·   The revised date (October 24, 79 A.D.): In 2018, an inscription found on a wall in Pompeii dated to October 17th of 79 A.D. supported a theory that had been building since the 18th century. Other archaeological evidence, such as findings of autumnal fruits and victims wearing heavy clothing, also points to an autumn eruption. 

Commemorating "Vesuvius Day"

Today, August 24 is still observed as "Vesuvius Day" by some as a tribute to the victims, though it's now widely acknowledged that the disaster occurred later in the year. Ways to observe the day include: 

·        Learning about volcanoes and the history of the eruption.

·        Watching documentaries about Pompeii and Herculaneum.

·        Creating a model volcano with children. 

Visiting Mount Vesuvius today

For those interested in exploring the site, tours and day trips are available from nearby cities like Naples and Rome. Visitors can hike to the crater of the volcano and explore the remarkably preserved ruins of Pompeii. 

 

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

 

Across the globe, August 23 is recognized as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. UNESCO established the day in 1997 to honour the millions affected by the transatlantic slave trade and to remember those who resisted it.

The date commemorates a significant historical moment. On the night of August 22–23, 1791, enslaved people in Saint Domingue, now Haiti, rose in revolt. Their uprising triggered the Haitian Revolution and led to the formation of the first modern Black republic.

Significance

Remembrance and Education:

The day encourages global participation in educational and cultural programs to teach about the atrocities of the slave trade and the resilience of enslaved people. 

Fighting Injustice:

It serves as an inspiration for current and future generations to combat all forms of servitude, racism, and social injustice that have their roots in slavery. 

Promoting Dignity:

The day reinforces the call for the abolition of human exploitation and the recognition of the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals. 

 

 

 

Madras Day

Chennai, the southernmost Indian metropolis, previously known as Madras, is commemorates its founding day today on August 22. Every year on Madras Day, the city comes together to celebrate its origins with joy and lots of festivities. Madras is not just the capital of Tamil Nadu but also a focal point of India's cinema, sports and cultural activities -- making it a true cosmopolitan city.

Madras Day History

The city and the origin of Madras Day stretch all the way back to August 22, 1639. It was on this day that the East India Company (EIC) bought Madrasapatnam from local monarchs. Local Nayak ruler, Damarla Venkatadri Nayaka agreed to the deal with EIC officers viz., Francis Day, his superior, Andrew Cogan, and Day's Dubash (translator), Beri Thimmappa.

It was on this small patch of land that Fort St George was built, which would lay the foundations of the British Empire in India.

After India gained independence in 1947, Madras continued as the capital city of the Madras State and present-day Tamil Nadu. The state was formally renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1969, and the capital city of Madras changed its name to Chennai in 1996.

Madras Day Origins

Madras Day was initiated by a group of enthusiastic individuals who wanted to celebrate the rich history of the city. The first celebration took place in 2004, and since then, it has grown into a big festival filled with events, exhibitions, talks, and performances. These activities highlight various aspects of the city's identity, from its architecture and cuisine to its arts and traditions.

The day holds immense significance for the residents of the city as it allows them to connect with their history and learn about the city's evolution. It's a time to remember the great leaders who contributed to its development, as well as to acknowledge the cultural diversity that makes Chennai unique.

Usain Bolt's Birthday

Usain St. Leo Bolt, born on 21 August 1986 in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica, is a Jamaican retired sprinter who is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time. He is an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and the world record holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 x100 metres relay.

Bolt is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He also won two 4 × 100 relay gold medals. He gained worldwide fame for his double sprint victory in world record times at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which made him the first person to hold both records since fully automatic time became mandatory.

An eleven-time World Champion, he won consecutive World Championship 100 m, 200 m and 4 x 100 metres relay gold medals from 2009 to 2015, with the exception of a 100 m false start in 2011. He is the most successful male athlete of the World Championships. Bolt is the first athlete to win four World Championship titles in the 200 m and is one of the most successful in the 100 m with three titles, being the first person to run sub-9.7s and sub-9.6s races.

Bolt improved upon his second 100 m world record of 9.69 with 9.58 seconds in 2009 – the biggest improvement since the start of electronic timing. He has twice broken the 200 metres world record, setting 19.30 in 2008 and 19.19 in 2009. He has helped Jamaica to three 4 x 100 metres relay world records, with the current record being 36.84 seconds set in 2012. Bolt's most successful event is the 200 m, with three Olympic and four World titles. The 2008 Olympics was his international debut over 100 m; he had earlier won numerous 200 m medals (including 2007 World Championship silver) and held the world under-20 and under-18 records for the event until being surpassed by Erriyon Knighton in 2021.

His achievements as a sprinter have earned him the media nickname "Lightning Bolt", and his awards include the IAAF World Athlete of the Year, Track & Field Athlete of the Year, BBC Overseas Personality of the Year (three times), and Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (four times). Bolt was included in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2016. Bolt retired after the 2017 World Championships, when he finished third in his last solo 100 m race, opted out of the 200 m, and pulled up injured in the 4 × 100 m relay final.

 

World Senior Citizen's Day

The World Senior Citizen's Day is celebrated on 21 August each year.

The celebration took place for the first time in 1991 The day is intended to increase awareness of the factors and issues that affect older adults, such as health deterioration and elder abuse. It is also a day to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of older people to society.

History

The history of the World Senior Citizen's Day dates back to 1988. It was officially founded by the former President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan. He had signed on August 19, 1988, the promulgation of 5847, which appeared on 21 August as National Day of the Third Age. Ronald Reagan was the first to announce the first National Day of the Third Age.

Purpose

World Senior Citizen's Day is an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate senior citizens for their services, accomplishments, and dedication they have given in their lives.

Ustad Bismillah Khan's Death Anniversary

 

Ustad Bismillah Khan, often referred to by the title Ustad, who passed away on 21 August 2006, in Varanasi, aged 90, was an Indian musician who played the shehnai, a ceremonial oboelike North Indian horn, with such expressive virtuosity that he became a leading Indian classical music artist. His name was indelibly linked with the woodwind instrument.

Khan was born into a family of court musicians in Bihar. He was apprenticed to his uncle, Ali Baksh, who played the shehnai in Vishvanatha, a Hindu temple in Varanasi. He accompanied his uncle in playing at ceremonies for Hindu deities as well as at weddings. Khan learned numerous musical forms and ragas, and he improvised patterns that had been considered impossible for the shehnai. His concert performance at the All-India Music Conference in Kolkata in 1937 gained him public respect, and the shehnai, traditionally used only in a ceremonial capacity, came to be seen as a classical music instrument. Years of concert and radio performances and recordings followed.

Khan was a devout Muslim but performed at both Hindu and Muslim ceremonies and was considered a symbol of religious harmony. His fame was such that he was selected to perform for the ceremony at Delhi’s historic Red Fort as the Indian flag unfurled at the hour of India’s independence on August 15, 1947; his music was played on television every Independence Day. He turned down invitations to perform in other countries before 1966, when the Indian government insisted that he play at the Edinburgh International Festival. This gained him a following in the West, and he continued to appear in Europe and North America thereafter. In 2001, Khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, and the country observed a national day of mourning following his death in 2006.