03 February - National Golden Retriever Day USA

 

National Golden Retriever Day is a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the Golden Retriever breed of dogs. This day, observed annually on February 3rd, is an opportunity for Golden Retriever enthusiasts, owners, and lovers to appreciate the qualities and companionship provided by these beloved dogs.

Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly and gentle nature, intelligence, and versatility. They are often cherished as family pets, therapy dogs, and assistance dogs due to their trainable and sociable temperament.

On National Golden Retriever Day, people may engage in various activities to celebrate and show affection for these wonderful dogs. This can include sharing photos and stories of their Golden Retrievers on social media, organizing events or gatherings, supporting Golden Retriever rescue organizations, or simply spending quality time with these furry companions.

03 February - Martyrs' Day São Tomé and Príncipe

 

São Tomé and Príncipe observes Martyrs' Day on February 3rd each year. Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in São Tomé and Príncipe, and it commemorates the lives and sacrifices of those who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence.

03 February - Setsubun (Japan)

 

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on February 3rd or 4th, marking the end of winter according to the lunar calendar. The term "Setsubun" translates to "seasonal division," and the festival is associated with driving away evil spirits and welcoming in good fortune for the coming spring.

Key customs and traditions of Setsubun include:

1. Mamemaki (Bean-Throwing): One of the main rituals involves the throwing of roasted soybeans (called "fukumame") both inside and outside the house. Family members take turns throwing beans while shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (鬼は外! 福は内!), which means "Out with demons! In with good fortune!"

2. Demons (Oni) Masks: Sometimes, people wear demon masks or paint their faces to represent evil spirits. The act of throwing beans is symbolic of driving away these evil spirits.

3. Ehomaki Sushi Roll: Another tradition involves eating a special type of sushi roll called "ehomaki" while facing a specific lucky direction determined by the Chinese zodiac. The ehomaki roll is typically filled with seven ingredients, representing the Seven Deities of Good Fortune.

4. Fortune-Telling: Some people participate in fortune-telling customs during Setsubun to bring luck and good fortune for the upcoming year.

Setsubun is a festive and family-oriented celebration that combines elements of folklore, superstition, and the anticipation of the changing seasons. It is widely observed in homes, temples, and shrines across Japan.

03 February - Veterans Day in Thailand

 

February 3 is set as the Veterans Day in Thailand. This day also commemorates the foundation day of the War Veterans Organisation of Thailand. The official remembrance ceremony takes place at Victory Monument in Bangkok.

The iconic monument which has been today’s political backdrop was erected in 1941 to commemorate the victory of Thai soldiers in the Franco-Thai War (1940 – 1941).

he Thai Veterans Day falls on February 3 of each year after World War 2 or at the end of the Great Asian War where many Thai soldiers have been discharged and it was a call to the authorities to provide assistance to the soldiers returning from combat operations and to help the families of soldiers who died in the battle.

The main mission of the organisation is to provide assistance to operative soldiers and their families which divided into six categories:

•     Welfare assistance – provides general aids in housing, education, and medical (prosthetic and artificial organs)
•     Career assistance – vocational training that provide assistance in terms of work, jobs or occupations for both domestic and international.
•     Agricultural estate assistance – allocating a place to raise agriculture and providing technical assistance.
•     Funds allocation – providing financial assistance to members of the organization for sustainable living.
•     Medical assistance for members without charge.
•     To support the rights of veterans in terms of incentives requesting a fare reduction, etc.

 Reference: https://www.huahintoday.com/

03 February - Buddy Holly dies in a plane crash

 

Buddy Holly, along with fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, tragically died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. The incident is commonly referred to as "The Day the Music Died." The small aircraft, a Beechcraft Bonanza, crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa, just a few minutes after takeoff during adverse weather conditions.

The three musicians were on a Winter Dance Party Tour and had decided to charter a plane to reach their next destination quickly. Unfortunately, the plane crashed, killing all three musicians, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson.

The deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper were a significant loss to the music world, and their legacies continue to influence and inspire musicians to this day. The event is immortalized in Don McLean's song "American Pie," where he famously referred to it as "the day the music died."

03 February - Luna 9 touches down on the Moon

 

Luna 9, a Soviet spacecraft, successfully touched down on the Moon on 03 February 1966. This mission marked a significant achievement as it was the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the lunar surface and transmit photographs back to Earth.

After landing in the Ocean of Storms on the Moon, Luna 9 deployed four petals, which opened to expose a television camera and various scientific instruments. The camera took a series of panoramic photographs and transmitted them back to Earth. This historic achievement provided humanity with the first glimpse of the lunar surface from the perspective of a spacecraft on the Moon.

The success of Luna 9 demonstrated the feasibility of soft landings on the Moon, paving the way for future lunar exploration missions.

03 February - High Court was established in Patna, Bihar

 

The Patna High Court, one of the oldest high courts in India, was established on February 3, 1916. It serves as the high court for the state of Bihar and has jurisdiction over the territories of Bihar and Jharkhand. Before the establishment of the Patna High Court, the region was under the jurisdiction of the Calcutta High Court.

The Patna High Court was inaugurated by the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Lord Charles Hardinge, on February 3, 1916. Over the years, the Patna High Court has played a crucial role in the administration of justice in the region, handling a wide range of civil, criminal, and constitutional matters.

 

03 February - The Winter Olympics were held for the first time in Asia in Sapporo, Japan

 

The Winter Olympics were held for the first time in Asia in Sapporo, Japan, in 1972. The Sapporo Winter Olympics took place from 03  February to 13 February 1972, marking a significant milestone as the inaugural Winter Games on the Asian continent. Sapporo's successful hosting of the event contributed to the recognition of Asia as a viable and capable host for major international sporting competitions.    

03 February - The Benelux Economic Union was formed in 1958

 

The Benelux Economic Union was formed on February 3, 1958. The Benelux Union is a political and economic union between three neighboring countries in Western Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The primary aim of the union was to promote economic cooperation and integration among the member states.

The Benelux Economic Union had its origins in the Benelux Customs Union, which was established in 1948 to remove trade barriers and promote economic cooperation. The Economic Union, officially created in 1958 by the Benelux Treaty, expanded upon these efforts and aimed to create a common market among the member countries.

Key objectives of the Benelux Economic Union include the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor among the member states. Over the years, the Benelux cooperation has expanded to cover various policy areas, including agriculture, transportation, and social security.

While the European Union (EU) has since become a more extensive economic and political union involving many more member states, the Benelux Union continues to exist and has played a role in shaping regional integration within the broader context of European cooperation.

03 February - Elizabeth Blackwell birth anniversary

 

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821–1910) was a pioneering physician and the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Here are some key points about her life and achievements:

1. Birth and Early Life: Elizabeth Blackwell was born on 03 February 1821, in Bristol, England. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was a child.

2. Medical Education: Blackwell faced numerous challenges and discrimination as a woman aspiring to become a doctor. After facing rejection from multiple medical schools, she was eventually accepted to Geneva Medical College in Geneva, New York, in 1847. In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree.

3. Medical Career: Despite the obstacles she faced, Blackwell pursued a successful medical career. She worked in hospitals in the United States and Europe and eventually established her own medical practice in New York City.

4. Advocacy for Women in Medicine: Elizabeth Blackwell was a strong advocate for the inclusion of women in the medical profession. She co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children in 1857, which provided opportunities for women to gain medical training and experience.

5. Women's Rights: In addition to her contributions to medicine, Blackwell was involved in the women's rights movement. She supported women's suffrage and worked towards expanding educational and professional opportunities for women.

6. Later Life: Elizabeth Blackwell spent the later part of her life in England and continued to be active in social and public health issues. She wrote several books on health and ethics.

7. Death: Elizabeth Blackwell passed away on 31 May 1910, in Hastings, Sussex, England.

Elizabeth Blackwell's legacy as a trailblazer in the medical profession and a champion for women's rights continues to inspire generations of women pursuing careers in medicine and other fields.

03 February - The SS Dorchester is sunk by a German U-boat.

 

The SS Dorchester, a U.S. Army transport ship, was sunk by a German U-boat during World War II. The incident occurred on 03 February 1943, in the North Atlantic.

The SS Dorchester was part of a convoy of ships carrying American troops to Europe. In the early morning hours, the ship was struck by a torpedo from German submarine U-223. The attack was sudden and devastating, causing the ship to sink rapidly.

One of the most poignant aspects of the sinking was the selfless and heroic actions of the Four Chaplains – George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington. As the ship went down, they helped distribute life jackets to the soldiers on board. When the supply of life jackets ran out, the chaplains gave their own life jackets to other soldiers and prayed together as the ship sank.

Tragically, the sinking of the SS Dorchester resulted in the loss of many lives, but the story of the Four Chaplains and their sacrifice has endured as a symbol of unity, courage, and selflessness.

03 February - Four Chaplains Day

 

Four Chaplains Day, observed on February 3rd each year, honors the four U.S. Army chaplains who sacrificed their lives to save others during World War II. The chaplains came from different faiths and backgrounds, exemplifying unity and selflessness.

The four chaplains were:

1. George L. Fox (Methodist):
2. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish):
3. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed):
4. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic):

On February 3, 1943, the U.S. Army transport ship SS Dorchester was torpedoed by a German submarine in the North Atlantic. As the ship began to sink, the four chaplains helped distribute life jackets and assisted soldiers in abandoning the ship. When the supply of life jackets ran out, the chaplains gave their own life jackets to other soldiers, choosing to go down with the ship as it sank.

Four Chaplains Day serves as a reminder of their heroic actions and the principles of unity and self-sacrifice. The story of the Four Chaplains is often cited as a symbol of interfaith cooperation and bravery. The U.S. Congress established February 3rd as "Four Chaplains Day" in 1988

03 February - Ram Singh Kuka birth anniversary

 

Ram Singh Kuka, also known as Baba Ram Singh, ( 03 February 1816 – 29 November 1885 ) was a prominent religious leader and social reformer in 19th-century India. He was the founder of the Kuka Movement, which aimed at religious and social transformation. The movement had its roots in the Punjab region of British India during the latter half of the 19th century.

Key points about Ram Singh Kuka and the Kuka Movement:

1. Religious Reform: Ram Singh Kuka sought to reform Sikhism and Hinduism, emphasizing a return to the original teachings of these religions. He criticized what he saw as the corruption and materialism within religious institutions.

2. Social Equality: The Kuka Movement advocated for social equality and condemned caste-based discrimination. It aimed to create a society where people of all castes and backgrounds could coexist harmoniously.

3. Non-Violence: Ram Singh Kuka promoted the principles of non-violence and urged his followers to lead a simple and disciplined life. The movement encouraged self-discipline, meditation, and service to humanity.

4. Resistance Against British Rule: The Kuka Movement also had elements of anti-British sentiment. Ram Singh Kuka and his followers opposed certain British policies and practices, and this led to conflicts with the colonial authorities.

5. Suppression and Persecution: The British authorities viewed the Kuka Movement as a challenge to their rule, and eventually, it faced suppression. Ram Singh Kuka was arrested, and some of his followers faced persecution.

6. Legacy: Despite the challenges and suppression, the Kuka Movement had a lasting impact on religious and social thought in the region. It contributed to discussions on religious reform and social justice in 19th-century India.

Ram Singh Kuka passed away in 1885. His legacy endures in the historical narrative of social and religious reform movements during British colonial rule in India.