Iraqi Army Day

Iraqi Army Day is celebrated on 6 January, and marks the anniversary of the activation of the Iraqi Army on 6 January 1921. Soldiers typically hold military parades in the Green Zone of Baghdad to mark the holiday, although it is not celebrated in the, Kurdistan Region. due to many Kurds accusing the Iraqi Army of genocide. The 2021 Army Day celebrations honoured the Army's 100th anniversary.

First Montessori School Opens in 1907

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator, acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally.

She opened the first Montessori school—the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House—in Rome on January 6, 1907. Subsequently, she travelled the world and wrote extensively about her approach to education, attracting many devotees. There are now thousands of Montessori schools in countries worldwide.

Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process.

Louise Braille Death Anniversary

Louis Braille, who passed away on 6 January 1852, was a French Educator who invented a tactile system of reading and writing for the blind and visually impaired in 1824. The system is called braille and it consists of raised dot codes that are used worldwide to read and write until this day.

Armenian Christmas & Epiphany

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6. On this day it also celebrates the Epiphany (which means the revelation that Jesus was God's son). Epiphany is now mainly the time Churches remember the Visit of the Three Wise Men to Jesus; but some Churches, like the Armenian Apostolic Church, also celebrate the Baptism of Jesus (when he started his adult ministry) on Epiphany.

Some Armenians fast (don't eat certain foods) in the week before Christmas. The Christmas Eve meal is called khetum. It includes dishes such as rice, fish, nevik (green chard and chick peas) and yogurt/wheat soup called tanabur. Desserts include dried fruits and nuts, rojik (whole shelled walnuts threaded on a string and encased in grape jelly), bastukh (a paper-like dessert made of grape jelly cornstarch and flour). This lighter menu is designed to ease the stomach off the week-long fast and prepare it for the larger Christmas Day dinner. Children take presents of fruits, nuts and other candies to older relatives.

In Armenia, Santa Claus can be known as Gaghant Baba/Kaghand Papa (a traditional figure who's associated with the New Year) or Dzmer Pap (which translates as 'Winter Father/Grandfather' and is the Armenian version of Ded Moroz). He traditionally comes on New Year's Eve (December 31) because Christmas Day itself is thought of as more of a religious holiday in Armenia.

In Armenian, Happy/Merry Christmas is Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund (which means 'Congratulations for the Holy Birth').

Bharatendu Harishchandra Death Anniversary

Bharatendu Harishchandra, who passed away on 6 January 1885, was an Indian poet, writer and playwright. He authored several dramas, life sketches and travel accounts, using new media such as reports, publications, letters to editors of publications, translations, and literary works to shape public opinion. 'Bharatendu Harishchandra' is often considered the father of Hindi literature and Hindi theatre.  He has been hailed as a Yug Charan for his writings depicting the exploitative nature of the British Raj.

Writing under the pen name "Rasa", Harishchandra picked themes that demonstrated the agonies of the people. For instance, the country's poverty, dependency, inhuman exploitation, the unrest of the middle class and the urgent need for progression of the country. Referred as a fearless journalist, Harishchandra refuted the prevailing orthodoxy of the time and revealed the machination of the mahants, pandas and priests. He was an He was an influential Hindu "traditionalist", using Vaishnava devotionalism to define a coherent Hindu religion.

Tyagaraja Death Anniversary

Tyagaraja, who passed away on 6 January 1847, is considered the most legendary Carnatic music composer of all time, who played a very significant role in the development of this music genre. He saw music as a means to experience the love of God and as such, his sole intention was purely devotional while performing.

A discussion on Carnatic music, perhaps, can never be complete without the mention of Tyagaraja, who along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri comprise the trinity of Carnatic music composers. He is regarded as the most legendary among the Carnatic music composers and is also said to have played a prominent role in the development of this musical genre. Tyagaraja created numerous devotional songs, most of which are devoted to the Hindu god Rama and are popular even today.

Rowan Atkinson Birthday

 Mr. Bean - The Postbox Episode

Rowan Atkinson in Black Adder Goes Forth 

British actor, Rowan Atkinson, best known for his role as Mr. Bean, who was born on January 6, 1955.

Thanks to his physical and black humor, and astounding performances, Rowan Atkinson established his name as one of the most iconic comedians. He first appeared on television, in popular British comedy series called Not the Nine O’Clock News. From there on his journey continued, which led to the creation of his most successful character Mr. Bean. This character ended up finding its way into the hearts of millions all around the world and led to Atkinson being called "the man with the rubber face".

Who's Mr. Bean? Mr. Bean lives alone. He has a small flat in Highbury, North London. He's practically always seen in his trademark tweed jacket, white shirt, and skinny red tie. Mr. Bean infrequently speaks, and when he does, it's commonly only several murmured words.

Mr. Bean oftentimes seems uninformed of basic aspects of the way the world works. The humor mostly comes from his unique (and often absurd) answers to problems and his total disregard for others when resolving them.