29 May - Sir Arthur Eddington organized an expedition to validate the theory of general relativity

 

In 1915, Albert Einstein introduced his theory of general relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of gravity and the nature of spacetime. One of the key predictions of this theory was that light would be bent as it passed near a massive object, such as the Sun.

To test this prediction, a British astronomer named Sir Arthur Eddington organized an expedition to observe a total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919. The eclipse provided a rare opportunity to observe stars near the Sun, which would appear to shift their positions due to the bending of light according to Einstein's theory.

Two teams of astronomers were dispatched—one to Sobral in Brazil and the other to Príncipe, an island off the coast of West Africa. They captured photographs of the stars during the total solar eclipse, comparing their positions to their expected positions without the influence of the Sun's gravity.

When the results were analyzed, it was found that the observed star positions had indeed shifted in accordance with Einstein's predictions. This confirmed the validity of Einstein's theory of general relativity and made headlines worldwide. The findings marked a major scientific breakthrough and cemented Einstein's reputation as one of the greatest physicists of all time.

The 1919 solar eclipse expedition led by Sir Arthur Eddington provided the crucial experimental evidence needed to support Einstein's theory of general relativity and demonstrated the accuracy of his revolutionary ideas. It remains a significant event in the history of physics and the validation of our understanding of gravity.

29 May - Sir Edmund Hillary, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953

 On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese Sherpa, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. Their historic achievement marked the first confirmed ascent of Mount Everest and is considered one of the greatest feats in mountaineering history.

Edmund Hillary was born on July 20, 1919, in Auckland, New Zealand. He developed a passion for mountaineering at a young age and became an experienced climber. In 1951, Hillary participated in a reconnaissance expedition to Everest, which laid the groundwork for future attempts.

In 1953, Hillary joined the British Everest Expedition, led by Colonel John Hunt, with the goal of reaching the summit. The expedition set up a series of camps along the South Col route in Nepal. On May 28, Hillary and Norgay established Camp IX at the South Col, which served as their final camp before the summit push.

The next day, on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Norgay began their summit attempt. Battling extreme cold, harsh winds, and treacherous terrain, they steadily ascended the mountain. After a grueling climb, at 11:30 a.m., Hillary and Norgay stood on the summit of Mount Everest, an elevation of 29,028 feet (8,848 meters).

Their success was met with worldwide acclaim and admiration. Hillary and Norgay's achievement symbolized the triumph of human determination and endurance in the face of extreme challenges. They became instant heroes and were celebrated for their bravery and mountaineering skills.

Sir Edmund Hillary dedicated much of his life to philanthropy in Nepal, helping to improve the lives of the Sherpa people and supporting education and healthcare initiatives in the region. Tenzing Norgay, too, continued to be involved in mountaineering and worked as a guide on various expeditions.

The ascent of Everest by Hillary and Norgay opened the door for future climbers to conquer the world's highest peak. Since then, thousands of mountaineers from around the world have attempted to reach the summit of Everest, although it remains a challenging and dangerous endeavor. The legacy of Hillary and Norgay's achievement continues to inspire and captivate adventurers and mountaineers to this day.

29 May - Tenzing Norgay Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer birth anniversary

 

Tenzing Norgay, born Namgyal Wangdi, was a Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer who gained worldwide fame for being one of the first two individuals to successfully summit Mount Everest, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, on May 29, 1953.

Tenzing Norgay was born in 1914 or 1915 on 29 May in the Khumbu region of Nepal, which is home to Mount Everest. Growing up in a Sherpa community, he became accustomed to the mountainous terrain and developed exceptional mountaineering skills.

Norgay began his mountaineering career at a young age as a porter and soon became a member of several British mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas. He gained valuable experience and gradually built a reputation as a skilled climber.

In 1953, Norgay joined the British Everest Expedition led by Colonel John Hunt, which aimed to conquer the world's highest peak. Throughout the expedition, Norgay's expertise and knowledge of the local terrain were crucial in establishing camps, fixing ropes, and navigating difficult sections of the mountain.

On the historic day of May 29, 1953, Norgay and Hillary, as part of the climbing team, set out for the summit from their final camp at the South Col. Together, they faced and overcame numerous challenges, including the difficult Hillary Step, a steep rock face near the summit. Finally, after a grueling climb, they reached the summit of Mount Everest, making mountaineering history.

Following his ascent of Everest, Norgay continued his career as a mountaineer and participated in various expeditions. He became a respected figure in the mountaineering community and received numerous accolades and honors for his achievements.

Tenzing Norgay passed away on May 9, 1986, in Darjeeling, India. His legacy as one of the first individuals to conquer Mount Everest remains indelible, and his ascent paved the way for future generations of climbers to attempt the world's highest peak. Norgay's remarkable achievements and his role as a Sherpa ambassador have inspired countless individuals and highlighted the contributions of the Sherpa people to mountaineering

 

29 May - Chaudhary Charan Singh death anniversary

 

Chaudhary Charan Singh (23 December 1902 – 29 May 1987), the fifth Prime Minister of India. He was considered a strong leader who raised the voice of the farmers. His tenure as Prime Minister was from 28 July 1979 to 14 January 1980. He became the Prime Minister of the country with the help of Samajwadi Party and Congress (O). He was supported from outside by ‘Congress In’ and CPI, but he did not join his government. Apart from this, Chaudhary Charan Singh was the Home Minister of India (tenure- 24 March 1977 – 1 July 1978), Deputy Prime Minister (tenure – 24 March 1977 – 28 July 1979), and twice as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He died on 29 May 1987

27 May - National Patriots' Day in the Canadian province of Quebec

 

 

National Patriots' Day  is a statutory holiday observed annually in the Canadian province of Quebec, on the Monday preceding 25 May.The holiday was established by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec-in-Council in 2003, according to the Parti Quebecois premier Bernard Landry: "to underline the importance of the struggle of the patriots of 1837–1838 for the national recognition of our people, for its political liberty and to obtain a democratic system of government." Before 2003, the Monday preceding 25 May of each year was unofficially the Fête de Dollard, a commemoration initiated in the 1920s to coincide with Victoria Day, a federal holiday occurring annually on the same date. 

29 May - Prithviraj Kapoor death anniversary

 

Prithviraj Kapoor (3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was a legendary Indian actor, director, and producer who is considered one of the pioneers of Indian theater and Hindi cinema. He was born in Samundri, a town in present-day Pakistan, and started his career as a theater actor in Bombay (now Mumbai).

Kapoor founded the Prithvi Theatre in Bombay in 1944, which became a prominent platform for experimental and meaningful theater in India. He acted in numerous plays, both in Hindi and English, and gained recognition for his powerful performances on stage.

In 1944, Prithviraj Kapoor made his debut in Hindi cinema with the film "Prithvi Vallabh." He went on to act in several successful films, portraying diverse characters ranging from historical figures to modern-day protagonists. Some of his notable films include "Mughal-e-Azam," "Sikandar," "Awaara," "Kanhaiya," and "Kal Aaj Aur Kal."

Apart from acting, Prithviraj Kapoor also ventured into film production. In 1945, he founded the Prithvi Pictures production company and produced several films under its banner, including "Aag," "Awaara," and "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai." He was known for his vision and commitment to quality cinema.

Prithviraj Kapoor's contribution to Indian cinema and theater was recognized with several prestigious awards and honors. He received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 1969, for his significant contribution to the arts. He was also honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, in 1972, posthumously.

Prithviraj Kapoor's legacy continued through his family, as he was the patriarch of the famous Kapoor acting dynasty. His sons, Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, and Shammi Kapoor, all became successful actors in the Indian film industry, as did his grandchildren, including Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Prithviraj Kapoor's influence on Indian cinema and theater is immeasurable. He played a pivotal role in shaping the entertainment industry and left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions of fans. His dedication, talent, and commitment to the craft continue to inspire generations of actors in India.