04 January - Victoria Memorial Hall foundationed laid by King George V in 1906

 

The foundation stone of the Victoria Memorial Hall in Calcutta (now Kolkata) was laid by the Prince of Wales, who later became King George V, on January 4, 1906. The memorial was dedicated to Queen Victoria, and its construction was initiated to commemorate her 25 years of rule over India. The monument was eventually completed and inaugurated in 1921. The Victoria Memorial Hall stands as a significant historical and architectural landmark in Kolkata, reflecting the colonial history of the city.

 

Here are some key details about the Victoria Memorial Hall:

1. Location: The Victoria Memorial is situated in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is located near the banks of the Hooghly River.

2. History: The construction of the Victoria Memorial began in 1906 and was completed in 1921. It was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales (later King George V). The monument was designed by Sir William Emerson, and it combines British and Mughal architectural styles.

3. Architecture: The Victoria Memorial is built with white Makrana marble and has a large dome, similar to the one on the Taj Mahal. The memorial is surrounded by extensive gardens and is set in a 64-acre area.

4. Museum: The Victoria Memorial houses a museum that displays a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Kolkata (Calcutta) and the British colonial period in India. The museum has a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and other historical items.

5. Memorial Grounds: The memorial is set amidst beautiful gardens, lawns, and water bodies. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, offering a serene environment for leisure and recreation.

6. Light and Sound Show: The Victoria Memorial often hosts a light and sound show in the evenings, narrating the history of the monument and the era it represents.

7. Accessibility: The Victoria Memorial is easily accessible and is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, drawing visitors from both India and around the world.

The Victoria Memorial stands as a symbol of the colonial history of Kolkata and is a significant cultural and historical site in India. It serves as a reminder of the British Raj and is a testament to the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.

 

04 January - Publication of Marathi newspaper 'Kesari ' started

 

Kesari (Marathi: केसरी Sanskrit for lion) is a Marathi newspaper which was founded on 04 January 1881 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader of the Indian Independence movement. The newspaper was used as a spokes piece for the Indian national freedom movement, and continues to be published by the Kesari Maratha Trust and Tilak's descendants.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak used to run his two newspapers, Kesari, in Marathi and Mahratta (Run by Kesari-Maratha Trust) in English from Kesari Wada, Narayan Peth, Pune. The newspapers were originally started as a co-operative by Chiplunkar, Agarkar and Tilak. 

04 January - Captain William McDonald discovered McDonald's Island.

 

McDonald Islands, which are a group of small islets in the southern Indian Ocean. These islands were discovered by Captain William McDonald, an American sealer, on 04 January 1854.

The McDonald Islands are part of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands, which are Australian external territories. The entire group includes Heard Island, McDonald Islands, and a number of smaller islets. Heard Island and McDonald Islands are located about 4,000 kilometers southwest of Australia.

It's worth noting that the naming of the McDonald Islands is attributed to Captain McDonald, who was the first person to report sighting the islands in the 19th century.

04 January - T. S. Eliot death anniversary

 

T. S. Eliot, whose full name is Thomas Stearns Eliot, was a renowned American-born British poet, essayist, publisher, playwright, and literary critic. Here are the details of his birth and death:

• Birth: T. S. Eliot was born on 26 September 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

• Death: He passed away on 04 January 1965, in London, United Kingdom.

T. S. Eliot is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Some of his notable works include "The Waste Land," "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," and "Four Quartets." He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 for his outstanding contribution to poetry.

04 January - Utah is admitted as the 45th U.S. state

 

Utah was admitted as the 45th state of the United States on  04 January 1896. This event marked the formal inclusion of Utah into the Union. Prior to its statehood, Utah had a unique history tied to the settlement of the area by Mormons led by Brigham Young in the mid-19th century. The state's rich cultural and geological diversity has made it an integral part of the United States.

04 January - The Burj Khalifa opened in 2010

 

The Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building, is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, and it was officially opened on January 4, 2010. The building stands at a height of 828 meters (2,717 feet) and has 163 floors. It is an iconic symbol of Dubai's modern architecture and engineering prowess. The Burj Khalifa serves various purposes, including residential, commercial, and hotel spaces, and it has become a major tourist attraction.

04 January - Louis Braille birth anniversary

 

Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system, was born on  04 January 1809, in Coupvray, France.

He passed away on 06 January 1852  in Paris, France. Louis Braille's groundbreaking invention, the Braille system, has had a profound impact on the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide, providing them with a tactile writing and reading system.

 

04 January - Sir Isaac Newton birth anniversary

 

Sir Isaac Newton ( 04 January 1643 – 31 March 1727) was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author who was described in his time as a "natural philosopher". He was a key figure in the philosophical revolution known as the Enlightenment. His book Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), first published in 1687, established classical mechanics. Newton also made seminal contributions to optics, and shares credit with German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz for developing infinitesimal calculus.

Beyond his work on the mathematical sciences, Newton dedicated much of his time to the study of alchemy and biblical chronology, but most of his work in those areas remained unpublished until long after his death. Politically and personally tied to the Whig party, Newton served two brief terms as Member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge, in 1689–1690 and 1701–1702. He was knighted by Queen Anne in 1705 and spent the last three decades of his life in London, serving as Warden (1696–1699) and Master (1699–1727) of the Royal Mint, as well as president of the Royal Society (1703–1727).

Newton died in his sleep in London on 31 March 1727 .After his death, Newton's hair was examined and found to contain mercury, probably resulting from his alchemical pursuits. Mercury poisoning could explain Newton's eccentricity in late life 

04 January - Mohammad Ali Jauhar death anniversary

 

Mohammad Ali Jauhar, also known as Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, was a prominent Indian Muslim leader, activist, and journalist during the early 20th century. Here are the details of his birth and death:

• Birth: Mohammad Ali Jauhar was born on 10 December 1878, in Rampur, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India.

• Death: He passed away on 04 January 1931, in London, United Kingdom. He died while leading a delegation for the Round Table Conference, which was part of the broader struggle for India's independence.

Mohammad Ali Jauhar was a key figure in the Indian nationalist movement, and he played a significant role in advocating for the rights and interests of Muslims in India. His contributions to journalism, politics, and social reform continue to be remembered in Indian history.

04 January - Independence Day Myanmar

 

Myanmar, also known as Burma, gained independence from British colonial rule on January 4, 1948. Therefore, January 4th is celebrated as Independence Day in Myanmar.

Independence Day is a significant national holiday in Myanmar, marked by various events, ceremonies, and celebrations across the country. It commemorates the day when Myanmar officially became a sovereign nation after being under British control. It is an occasion to reflect on the country's history, struggles for independence, and the achievements made since gaining autonomy. The day is typically observed with patriotic displays, parades, cultural events, and government ceremonies.

 

04 January - World Braille Day

 

World Braille Day is observed annually on January 4th to celebrate the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system. Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. He lost his sight due to an accident at a very young age but went on to develop the Braille system, which is a tactile writing and reading system used by people who are visually impaired.

Braille consists of raised dots arranged in a grid, with each cell representing a letter, number, punctuation mark, or even a whole word. This system enables blind and visually impaired individuals to read and write using their sense of touch.

World Braille Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of Braille as a means of communication and literacy for people with visual disabilities. It is also a day to recognize the contributions of Louis Braille to the lives of millions of blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide. Various events, activities, and initiatives are organized globally to promote the use of Braille and to advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with visual impairments.