20 February - John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962

 

Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program conducted by the United States. It was initiated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1958 with the goal of putting an American astronaut into orbit around the Earth and bringing them safely back. The project took its name from the ancient Roman god Mercury, who was the messenger to the gods and symbolized speed.

Key points about Project Mercury:

1. Objective: The primary objective of Project Mercury was to develop the capability to put humans into space and safely return them to Earth. The program laid the groundwork for future space missions and aimed to gather data on human performance in space, particularly in the weightlessness of orbit.

2. Astronauts: Seven astronauts, known as the "Mercury Seven," were selected to participate in the program. The members were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton.

3. Spacecraft: The spacecraft used in Project Mercury was named the Mercury spacecraft. It was a small, single-person capsule designed to carry astronauts into space and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.

4. Suborbital and Orbital Flights: The program included both suborbital and orbital flights. The first American in space was Alan Shepard, who made a suborbital flight on May 5, 1961. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962.

5. Launch Vehicle: The Redstone and Atlas rockets were used as launch vehicles for the Mercury missions.

6. Conclusion: Project Mercury paved the way for subsequent human spaceflight programs, such as Gemini and Apollo, which eventually led to the United States landing astronauts on the Moon in 1969. The success of Project Mercury demonstrated the feasibility of human space exploration and marked the beginning of the U.S. space program's efforts to explore the cosmos.

 

20 February - Lord Louis Mountbatten Viceroy of India

 

Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German descent, was born in the United Kingdom to the prominent Battenberg family and was a maternal uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a second cousin of King George VI. He joined the Royal Navy during the First World War and was appointed Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, in the Second World War. He later served as the last Viceroy of British India and briefly as the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India.

Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India. Mountbatten's experience in the region and in particular his perceived Labour sympathies at that time led to Clement Attlee advising King George VI to appoint him Viceroy of India on 20 February 1947.

20 February - Foundation Day TRAI

 

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.It consists of a chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members. The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, effective from 24 January 2000, establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was established on 20 February 1997 by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecom services and tariffs in India. Earlier, regulation of telecom services and tariffs was overseen by the Central Government.

20 February - Kurt Cobain

 

Kurt Cobain was an influential musician, best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the band Nirvana. He was born on 20 February 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, USA. Cobain's music, characterized by its raw emotion, distorted guitars, and angst-filled lyrics, played a significant role in the popularization of alternative rock in the early 1990s.

Nirvana's second album, "Nevermind," released in 1991, propelled the band to worldwide fame with its lead single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" becoming an anthem for the Generation X. Cobain's songwriting often reflected themes of alienation, disillusionment, and societal critique.

Despite his musical success, Cobain struggled with addiction, chronic health issues, and depression. He tragically died by suicide on  05 April 1994, at the age of 27. His death shocked the music world and left a profound impact on his fans and the industry. Cobain is remembered as a seminal figure in rock music, and his influence continues to be felt decades after his passing.

 

20 February - Day of Heavenly Hundred Heroes (Ukraine)

 

The "Day of Heavenly Hundred Heroes" in Ukraine commemorates the individuals who lost their lives during the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv in 2014. The events unfolded between November 2013 and February 2014, when Ukrainians, dissatisfied with the government's decision to suspend an association agreement with the European Union, took to the streets to protest.

The term "Heavenly Hundred" refers to the more than 100 protesters who were killed during clashes with security forces and government-backed militias. The tragic culmination of the protests occurred in late February 2014 when violence escalated, leading to the deaths of many protesters.

The exact date for the Day of Heavenly Hundred Heroes is February 20, as it marks a particularly tragic day during the Euromaidan events when dozens of protesters were killed by government forces. This day serves as a memorial to honor those who lost their lives in the pursuit of democratic values and the desire for a closer association with the European Union.

 

20 February - Sarat Chandra Bose death in 1950

 

Sarat Chandra Bose was born on 6th September 1889 in Cuttack, Odisha. He got his MA from Presidency College, Kolkata in 1909 and became a legal practitioner in 1911. He was enrolled in the Honourable Society of Lincoln Inn’s Society and practiced as a Barrister in England from 1912-1914.

He was a member of the Bengal Legislative Council and was a part of the Indian National Congress. Bose was also elected as an Alderman multiple times in the Calcutta Corporation.He died in Kolkata on 20th February 1950.

20 February - Frederick Douglass passed away on 20 February 1895

 

Frederick Douglass ( 14 February 1818 – 20 February 1895) was an African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Born into slavery in Maryland, he escaped to the North in 1838, and after gaining his freedom, Douglass became a prominent figure in the fight against slavery and for civil rights.

Key points about Frederick Douglass's life and contributions include:

1. Autobiography: Douglass wrote several autobiographies, with his first and most famous work being "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" (1845). In these works, he detailed his experiences as a slave and his journey to freedom.

2. Oratory and Abolitionism: Douglass became a powerful orator and a leading abolitionist speaker. He used his eloquence to advocate for the abolition of slavery, equal rights, and suffrage for African Americans and women.

3. The North Star: Douglass founded and edited an influential abolitionist newspaper called "The North Star" (later named "Frederick Douglass' Paper"). The publication played a crucial role in promoting the antislavery cause.

4. Women's Rights: Douglass was an early supporter of the women's suffrage movement and attended the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, where he advocated for women's rights alongside figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

5. Government Positions: After the Civil War, Douglass held various government positions, including U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia and Minister to Haiti.

6. Legacy: Frederick Douglass is remembered as a key figure in American history for his tireless efforts in the fight against slavery, his advocacy for civil rights, and his contributions to the broader struggle for equality and justice.

Frederick Douglass's life and work continue to be studied and celebrated for their significant impact on the abolitionist movement and the advancement of civil rights in the United States.