31 January - Shri Krishna Singh death anniversary

 

Shri Krishna Singh (1887–1961) was an Indian politician and the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar. He played a crucial role in the independence movement and post-independence politics in Bihar. Here are some key points about Shri Krishna Singh:

1. Early Life: Born on 21 October 1887, in Ziradei, Bihar, Shri Krishna Singh was a prominent leader who emerged during the pre-independence era.

2. Political Career: Shri Krishna Singh was actively involved in the Indian independence movement. He joined the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and later became associated with the Indian National Congress.

3. Chief Minister of Bihar: After India gained independence in 1947, Shri Krishna Singh became the first Chief Minister of Bihar, serving from 1946 to 1961. He held the position for an extended period and made significant contributions to the development of the state.

4. Land Reforms: Shri Krishna Singh is particularly remembered for his efforts in implementing land reforms in Bihar. His government focused on addressing issues related to land distribution and the rights of farmers.

5. Social Reforms: He also worked on various social and educational reforms during his tenure as Chief Minister.

6. Legacy: Shri Krishna Singh is remembered as a statesman and a key political figure in Bihar's history. The airport in Patna, the capital city of Bihar, is named Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, honoring both Shri Krishna Singh and Dr. Jay Prakash Narayan.

7. Death: Shri Krishna Singh passed away on 31 January 1961.

His contributions to Bihar's political and social landscape have left a lasting impact, and he is remembered as one of the prominent leaders in the state's history.

31 January - Don Bosco's Feast Day

 

Saint John Bosco, commonly known as Don Bosco, is commemorated on his feast day, which falls on January 31st. This day is celebrated by the Catholic Church and those inspired by Don Bosco's life and work.

Saint John Bosco (1815–1888) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer who dedicated his life to the welfare and education of poor and disadvantaged youth, particularly in Turin, Italy. He founded the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious congregation focused on education and mission work.

Don Bosco's feast day serves as a time for reflection on his contributions to education, youth ministry, and social welfare. Many educational institutions inspired by the Salesian tradition may organize special events, prayers, and activities to honor his memory on this day.

31 January - Edwin Armstrong death anniversary

 

Edwin Howard Armstrong (18 December 1890 – 31 January 1954) was an American electrical engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of radio communication. Among his most notable inventions are the regenerative circuit, the superheterodyne receiver, and frequency modulation (FM) radio.

Key contributions and achievements of Edwin Armstrong include:

1. Regenerative Circuit (1912): Armstrong invented the regenerative circuit, a type of amplifier circuit that provided positive feedback to boost the strength of radio signals. This invention greatly improved the sensitivity and selectivity of radio receivers.

2. Superheterodyne Receiver (1918): Armstrong developed the superheterodyne receiver, which uses a local oscillator to convert incoming radio frequency signals to a fixed intermediate frequency. This innovation became a standard in radio receivers and is still widely used today.

3. Frequency Modulation (FM) Radio (1933): Armstrong's most significant contribution was the invention of frequency modulation. FM radio offered superior sound quality and resistance to certain types of interference compared to amplitude modulation (AM) radio. Despite initial resistance from the existing AM broadcasting industry, FM eventually became widely adopted.

4. FM Broadcasting: Armstrong's work on FM radio faced significant challenges, including legal battles with established AM radio broadcasters. However, FM radio's advantages in audio quality and resistance to interference led to its eventual success, particularly in the realm of music broadcasting.

5. Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) Relationship: Armstrong had a close relationship with the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and its founder William S. Paley. He developed and promoted FM technology through CBS, but conflicts over patents and licensing led to legal disputes between Armstrong and the company.

Despite his contributions to the field, Armstrong faced personal and professional challenges, including legal battles that took a toll on his finances and mental well-being. Tragically, on 31 January 1954, Edwin Armstrong died by suicide. Despite his struggles, Armstrong's innovations continue to shape the field of radio communications, and he is remembered as a pioneering figure in the history of electronic communications.

31 January - Ham the Chimp travels into outer space.

 

On January 31, 1961, Ham the Chimp made history by becoming the first hominid in space. Ham, whose name stands for "Holloman Aerospace Medical Center," was a chimpanzee trained for space travel as part of NASA's Mercury program.

The Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) mission, carrying Ham, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 rocket. The primary objective of this mission was to test the safety and feasibility of sending a living organism into space and recovering it safely.

Ham's role during the mission was to perform simple tasks in response to visual and audio cues. He was trained to pull levers within a specified time after seeing a flashing light. The successful completion of these tasks was an indication that a living being could function in the weightlessness of space and perform tasks necessary for a human astronaut's safety.

The MR-2 flight lasted approximately 16 minutes and 39 seconds, reaching a maximum altitude of 157 miles (252 kilometers). Ham experienced about 6.6 minutes of weightlessness during the flight. The spacecraft successfully re-entered Earth's atmosphere, and Ham's capsule was recovered by the USS Donner.

Ham's mission provided valuable data that contributed to the understanding of how living organisms respond to the conditions of space travel. His successful journey paved the way for subsequent human spaceflights in the Mercury and subsequent space programs.

After the mission, Ham lived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., before being transferred to the North Carolina Zoo, where he lived until his death in 1983. Ham's contributions to early space exploration are commemorated in the annals of space history.

 

31 January - Explorer I becomes the first successful American satellite to be launched

 

Explorer I was the first successful American satellite, and its successful launch marked the United States' entry into the space age. It was launched on January 31, 1958.

Key points about Explorer I:

1. Launch Date: Explorer I was launched on January 31, 1958, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

2. Purpose: The primary scientific goal of Explorer I was to conduct experiments in Earth's orbit and study cosmic rays. The satellite carried instrumentation designed by James Van Allen to measure the radiation environment in Earth's orbit.

3. Discovery of the Van Allen Radiation Belts: One of the significant scientific discoveries made by Explorer I was the identification of the Van Allen radiation belts, regions of intense radiation surrounding the Earth. This discovery provided valuable insights into the Earth's magnetosphere.

4. Launch Vehicle: Explorer I was launched aboard a Jupiter-C rocket, a modified Redstone ballistic missile. The successful launch was a significant achievement for the United States and followed the previous attempts of launching satellites, such as Vanguard TV3, which had failed in December 1957.

5. Project Vanguard: Explorer I was part of the United States' Project Vanguard, the nation's first satellite program. While the first attempt with Vanguard TV3 faced difficulties, Explorer I successfully reached orbit.

The successful launch of Explorer I marked a pivotal moment in the early space exploration efforts of the United States, contributing to both scientific knowledge and the space race during the Cold War. James Van Allen's instruments on Explorer I provided crucial data that laid the foundation for future space exploration missions.

 

31 January - Birendra Bir Bikram Shah became the 12th King of Nepal

 

Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, born on 28 December 1945, became the 12th King of Nepal on 31 January 1972. He succeeded his father, King Mahendra, who passed away on 31 January 1972. Birendra's full title was "Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev."

King Birendra played a significant role in the constitutional changes that Nepal underwent during his reign. In 1990, facing pro-democracy movements, he agreed to constitutional reforms that established a multiparty democracy and reduced the monarchy's powers. These changes transformed Nepal from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

Tragically, King Birendra and several members of the royal family were killed in the Royal Palace Massacre on 01 June 2001. The circumstances surrounding the massacre were the subject of investigation and debate. After his death, his brother Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah ascended to the throne.

The events of 01 June 2001, had a profound impact on Nepal, leading to political and social changes. The country continued to undergo political transformations in the following years, including the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in 2008.

 

31 January - International Zebra Day

 

International Zebra Day is observed every year on January 31. With their natural environment diminishing and increasing human development, these gentle animals are in danger. When habitats are threatened, animals, too, become endangered. International Zebra Day is all about raising awareness and what you can do to help in the conservation of this animal. Zebras are mostly found on the African continent, in the semi-desert areas of Kenya and Ethiopia, and the hilly areas of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. You can easily identify a zebra by its unique black and white stripes.

31 January - Major Somnath Sharma birth anniversary

 

Major Somnath Sharma was an officer in the Indian Army and the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration for valor, posthumously. He was born on 31 January 1923, in Himachal Pradesh, India, and was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment in 1942.

Major Sharma's actions during the First Kashmir War in 1947 exemplified extraordinary courage and leadership. On 03 November 1947, Pakistani tribal invaders attacked the Srinagar airport, and Major Sharma's unit was tasked with defending the strategic location of Badgam.

Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, Major Somnath Sharma and his men fought valiantly to hold the enemy at bay. During the intense battle, Major Sharma realized the importance of the airport for the defense of Srinagar and continued to encourage his men even after being seriously wounded.

Tragically, Major Somnath Sharma made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on that day. His leadership, bravery, and selfless dedication to the defense of the airport became legendary. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra on 15 February 1950, for his exceptional valor and leadership during the battle.

Major Somnath Sharma's legacy lives on as a symbol of courage and sacrifice. The Param Vir Chakra awarded to him serves as a testament to his extraordinary bravery and his commitment to the defense of his country.

 

31 January - Suraiya Jamal Sheikh death anniversary

Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (15 June 1929 – 31 January 2004), popularly known by the mononym Suraiya, was a popular actress and playback singer in India's Hindi language films. She was active from 1936 to 1963.

In a career spanning from 1936 to 1963, Suraiya acted in 67 films and sang 338 songs. She was one of the greatest actresses of the Hindi Cinema and a leading lady in Hindi language films in the 1940s and 1950s.She was also a renowned playback singer, who mostly sang for herself, starting from a song in Nai Duniya (1942) when she was only 12 years old.

She was known for her North Indian Muslim feudal style acting or adakari in many of her films Suraiya made her first appearance as a child artist with the film Madame Fashion (1936), directed by Jaddan Bai. She made her acting debut with the film Taj Mahal in which she played the role of Mumtaz Mahal. In her heydays, she was known as Malika-e-Husn (queen of beauty), Malika-e-Tarannum (queen of melody) and Malika-e-Adakari (queen of acting). Suraiya was the highest-paid actress in the 1940s and 1950s and won several awards for her performances in Indian films.