08 January - Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni completely destroyed the Temple of Somnath

 

The destruction of the Somnath Temple by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni did occur, but historical accounts differ on the exact date. Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, a ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire, attacked the Somnath Temple in the early 11th century. He is believed to have raided the temple multiple times, with the most significant and notorious event taking place in the winter of 1025 CE (Date : 08 January).

Mahmud of Ghazni is said to have attacked the temple, located in present-day Gujarat, India, and looted its wealth. The exact details and motivations behind Mahmud's raids on the Somnath Temple are debated among historians. Some attribute it to his desire for wealth, while others suggest religious and political motives.

The destruction of the Somnath Temple is a significant event in Indian history, and it has been remembered and recounted in various historical sources. While the specific date might not be universally agreed upon, the incident itself is often cited as an example of the conflicts between different civilizations and religions during that period.

 

08 January - Ashapurna Devi birth anniversary

 

Ashapurna Devi ( 08 January 1909 – 13 July 1995) was a renowned Bengali author and poet from India. She is widely celebrated for her literary contributions, particularly for her novels and short stories. Devi's work often focused on the lives of women in Bengali society, exploring the complexities of their experiences and societal expectations.

Some of Ashapurna Devi's notable works include the "Pather Panchali" trilogy, which includes "Pratham Pratisruti" (The First Promise), "Subarnalata" (The Golden Chord), and "Bakulkatha" (Bakul's Tale). These novels provide a detailed portrayal of women's lives in Bengal from the late 19th to the mid-20th century.

Ashapurna Devi received several awards for her literary achievements, including the Jnanpith Award, one of the most prestigious literary honors in India, in 1976. Her work has left a lasting impact on Bengali literature, and she is remembered as one of the prominent figures in Indian literature, especially for her contributions to women-centric narratives.

08 January - Earth's Rotation Day

 

The way the earth rotates around its own axis causes day and night, and also the change in seasons. It is responsible for our day and night, and our sleep-wake cycle. Multiple theories have been published by scientists over the years who researched on how the earth rotates around itself. There is a hypothetical line that passes almost vertically through the earth determines the axis around which the earth rotates. The axis connects the north and the south pole. However, the rotation does not determine the length of the day or the night.

Every year, Earth's Rotation Day is observed because of a discovery made by French Physicist Leon Foucault regarding the earth's rotation. As we gear up to celebrate Earth's Rotations Day for this year, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Date:

Every year, Earth's Rotation Day is celebrated on January 8. This year, the special day falls on a Monday.
History:

In 470 BC, the Greeks claimed that the earth rotates on its own back. In 1851, French Physicist Leon Foucault demonstrated the earth's rotation with the help of a pendulum. This was further used to demonstrate the experimentation and was later displayed at the Pantheon in Greece and the Paris Observatory. Earth's Rotations Day is celebrated to observe the experiment by Leon Foucault which is prioritised over the other experiments that were carried out to demonstrate the earth's rotation around its axis.

Significance:

On this day, people learn more about Leon Foucault's groundbreaking discovery followed by the demonstration of the experiment which helped in simplifying this procedure for us. Children can also learn more about this phenomenon and celebrate how it works. One of the best ways to celebrate this day is by getting together and being more curious about this phenomenon and learning more about it.

08 January - Remembrance Bimal Roy on his death anniversary

 

Bimal Roy (12 July 1909 –  08 January 1965) was an Indian film director. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Devdas, Madhumati, Sujata, Parakh and Bandini, making him an important director of Hindi cinema. Inspired by Italian neo-realistic cinema, he made Do Bigha Zamin after watching Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves (1948).His work is particularly known for his mise en scène which he employed to portray realism.He won a number of awards throughout his career, including eleven Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards, and the International Prize of the Cannes Film Festival. Madhumati won 9 Filmfare Awards in 1958, a record held for 37 years.

08 January - Galileo Galilei death anniversary

 

Galileo Galilei (15 February 1564 – 08 January 1642) was an Italian astronomer, physicist, mathematician, and polymath who played a crucial role in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Some key aspects of Galileo's life and contributions include:

1. Telescope Discoveries: Galileo is perhaps best known for his improvements to the telescope and his astronomical observations. In 1609, he turned his telescope to the night sky and made groundbreaking discoveries, including the observation of the Moon's surface, the phases of Venus, the four largest moons of Jupiter (now known as the Galilean moons), and the rings of Saturn.

2. Confirmation of Heliocentrism: Galileo's observations provided evidence supporting the heliocentric model of the solar system proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus. This model suggested that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun, challenging the geocentric model that placed the Earth at the center of the universe.

3. The Law of Falling Bodies: Galileo conducted experiments on falling bodies and formulated the law of uniform acceleration, stating that all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass (neglecting air resistance).

4. Pioneering the Scientific Method: Galileo contributed to the development of the scientific method by emphasizing the importance of observation, experimentation, and mathematical analysis in understanding the natural world.

5. Conflict with the Catholic Church: Galileo's support for the heliocentric model brought him into conflict with the Catholic Church, which adhered to the geocentric view. In 1632, he published "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems," advocating heliocentrism. This led to his trial by the Roman Catholic Inquisition in 1633, and he was eventually forced to recant his views under threat of imprisonment.

6. Later Life and Influence: Galileo spent the remainder of his life under house arrest. Despite this, his work continued to influence the scientific community, and his ideas played a crucial role in the advancement of modern physics.

Galileo Galilei's contributions to astronomy, physics, and the scientific method had a profound impact on the development of modern science. His legacy continues to be celebrated, and he is often considered one of the fathers of modern observational astronomy.

08 January - Elvis Presley birth anniversary

 

Elvis Presley ( 08 January 1935 – 16 August 1977), often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll," was an American singer, actor, and cultural icon. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley's musical journey began in the mid-1950s when he started recording and performing a mix of country, rhythm and blues, and gospel music.

Key points about Elvis Presley's life and career include:

1. Early Career: Elvis gained widespread fame with the release of his first single, "Heartbreak Hotel," in 1956. His energetic and charismatic performances, combined with his unique blend of musical influences, made him a sensation in the music industry.

2. Impact on Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley played a pivotal role in popularizing rock and roll music, influencing countless artists who came after him. His dynamic stage presence and the fusion of various musical styles contributed to the evolution of the genre.

3. Film Career: In addition to his success in music, Elvis also had a prolific career in films. He starred in numerous movies, often featuring a musical component, during the 1960s.

4. Military Service: Elvis interrupted his music and film career to serve in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960.

5. Comeback and Las Vegas Residency: After a period of relative inactivity in the music industry, Elvis experienced a successful comeback in the late 1960s with the television special "Elvis" and a series of well-received albums. He later became known for his residency performances in Las Vegas.

6. Personal Life and Challenges: Elvis faced personal challenges, including health issues and struggles with prescription medications. His health declined in the later years of his life.

7. Legacy: Elvis Presley's impact on popular music and culture is enduring. He is one of the best-selling solo artists in the history of recorded music. His influence extends beyond music, shaping aspects of fashion, film, and entertainment.

Elvis Presley passed away at the age of 42 on 16 August 1977, at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. The circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of speculation and discussion over the years. However, his legacy as a cultural icon and musical trailblazer remains strong.

 

08 January - The Battle of New Orleans

 

The Battle of New Orleans was fought on 08 January 1815, between the British Army under Major General Sir Edward Pakenham and the United States Army under Brevet Major General Andrew Jackson,roughly 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the French Quarter of New Orleans,[6] in the current suburb of Chalmette, Louisiana.

 

The battle was the climax of the five-month Gulf Campaign (September 1814 to February 1815) by Britain to try to take New Orleans, West Florida, and possibly Louisiana Territory which began at the First Battle of Fort Bowyer. Britain started the New Orleans campaign on December 14, 1814, at the Battle of Lake Borgne and numerous skirmishes and artillery duels happened in the weeks leading up to the final battle.

The battle took place 15 days after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which formally ended the War of 1812, on 24 December 1814, though it would not be ratified by the United States (and therefore did not take effect) until 16 February 1815, as news of the agreement had not yet reached the United States from Europe. Despite a large British advantage in numbers, training, and experience, the American forces defeated a poorly executed assault in slightly more than 30 minutes. The Americans suffered just 71 casualties, while the British suffered over 2,000, including the deaths of the commanding general, Major General Sir Edward Pakenham, and his second-in-command, Major General Samuel Gibbs.

08 January - Stephen Hawking birth anniversary

 

Stephen Hawking ( 08 January 1942 – 14 March 2018) was a renowned theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author. He was born in Oxford, England, and became one of the most brilliant minds in the field of theoretical physics despite facing significant physical challenges.

Hawking made significant contributions to our understanding of black holes, the nature of the universe, and the origins of the cosmos. His most famous work is probably his theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation. This groundbreaking idea challenged prevailing notions about black holes.

Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21, Hawking's physical condition deteriorated over the years, leading to almost complete paralysis. Despite his physical limitations, he continued to work, write, and communicate using a computerized voice system.

Some of his notable publications include the best-selling book "A Brief History of Time," which aimed to explain complex scientific concepts to a general audience. Hawking received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and he held the prestigious Lucasian Professorship of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for many years.

Stephen Hawking passed away on 14 March 2018, at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics and science communication. His life and work continue to inspire scientists and enthusiasts around the world.