05 March - International Year of the Child stamp issued in 1979

 

Complete Set of two nos of commemorartive postage stamps on 05.March.1979 for the International Year of the Child (IYC) , proclaimed in 1979 by United Nations : The Stamp in 25 paise denomination depicts Mahatma Gandhi with a child with a child and alongside is the Indian Symbol of the International Year of the child. The stamp in 100 paise denomination features the Indian Symbol of the International Year of child. Both the stamps carry the special adopted by India for the occasion :  "Happy Child Nation's Pride "

05 March - Gerardus Mercator birth anniversary

 

Gerardus Mercator was born on 05 March 1512, in Rupelmonde, County of Flanders (now part of Belgium), and he passed away on 02 December 1594, in Duisburg, Duchy of Cleves (now in Germany).

Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594) was a Flemish cartographer, geographer, and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of mapmaking. He is best known for the development of the Mercator projection, a cylindrical map projection that preserves angles and shapes, particularly useful for navigation.

Key aspects of Gerardus Mercator's life and work include:

1. Early Life and Education: Mercator was born on March 5, 1512, in Rupelmonde, County of Flanders (now part of Belgium). He studied humanities at the University of Leuven and later pursued advanced studies in mathematics, geography, and astronomy.

2. Mapmaking and Cartography: Mercator's interest in mapmaking led him to create globes and maps. His maps were renowned for their accuracy and attention to detail. One of his notable works is the 1538 map of the world, known as "Planisphere," which showcased his early talents as a cartographer.

3. Mercator Projection: Mercator's most significant contribution to cartography is the Mercator projection, developed around 1569. This cylindrical map projection became widely used for navigation since it preserves straight lines, making it easier for sailors to navigate with rhumb lines (lines of constant compass bearing).

4. Navigational Aids: Mercator's maps and globes were valuable tools for navigators during the Age of Exploration. The Mercator projection allowed sailors to plot a course as a straight line, simplifying navigation across long distances.

5. Atlas Production: Mercator's son, Rumold Mercator, continued his father's work after his death. Rumold, along with other family members, compiled and published Gerardus Mercator's maps and charts into an atlas called the "Atlas sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura" (Atlas or Cosmographical Meditations on the Fabric of the World and the Figure of the Fabricated).

6. Legacy: The Mercator projection, despite its distortion of area at higher latitudes, remains widely used in navigation, especially for maritime charts. While it's not suitable for all mapping purposes due to its distortions, it has been highly influential in the history of cartography.

Gerardus Mercator's contributions to mapmaking and navigation have left an enduring legacy, and his name is forever associated with the famous Mercator projection.

 

05 March - Soviet probe Venera 14 lands on Venus.

 

The Soviet space probe Venera 14 was part of the Venera program, which aimed to explore Venus. Venera 14 successfully landed on Venus on March 5, 1982. The spacecraft consisted of a lander and an orbiter.

The lander conducted experiments and collected data on the Venusian atmosphere, soil composition, and other environmental factors. It carried instruments to analyze the soil, measure atmospheric properties, and take color photographs of the Venusian surface.

The Venera 14 mission provided valuable scientific data and contributed to the understanding of Venus's harsh conditions. The spacecraft operated for about 57 minutes on the surface before succumbing to the extreme temperatures and pressures of Venus.

05 March - Nasir Khusraw begins the seven-year Middle Eastern journey which he will later describe in his book Safarnama.

 

Nasir Khusraw, a Persian poet, philosopher, and traveler, embarked on his famous seven-year journey through the Middle East in the 11th century. He began his travels around 1046 CE. During this extensive journey, Nasir Khusraw visited various regions, including Egypt, Mecca, Medina, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East.

His travel experiences and observations were documented in his travelogue titled "Safarnama" or "The Book of Travels." In this work, Nasir Khusraw provides detailed accounts of the places he visited, the people he met, and his reflections on different cultures and landscapes. The "Safarnama" is not only a valuable historical document but also a literary masterpiece that offers insights into the medieval Islamic world.

Nasir Khusraw's writings continue to be studied for their historical, cultural, and philosophical significance. His journey and the subsequent documentation in the "Safarnama" remain important in understanding the medieval Islamic civilization and the cultural exchanges that took place during that time.

05 March - Learn from Lei Feng Day

 

"Learn from Lei Feng Day" is a day observed in China on March 5th each year. It is named after Lei Feng, a young soldier in the People's Liberation Army of China, who became a symbol of selflessness, altruism, and dedication to serving others. The day is dedicated to promoting volunteerism, kindness, and helping others in the spirit of Lei Feng.

Lei Feng's life was portrayed as an exemplary model of socialist values during the era of Mao Zedong. After his death in 1962, a diary supposedly written by Lei Feng was discovered, detailing his selfless acts and commitment to helping others. The Chinese government has since promoted Lei Feng as a role model, and "Learn from Lei Feng Day" encourages citizens to engage in volunteer activities, charitable deeds, and acts of kindness.

On this day, schools, communities, and organizations often organize events and activities to promote the values associated with Lei Feng, emphasizing the importance of community service and helping those in need.

 

05 March - The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement,

 

The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement, also known as the Delhi Pact, was a significant agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and the then Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin, concluded on March 5, 1931. This agreement marked an important step in the Indian independence movement.

The negotiations leading to the agreement took place during the second Round Table Conference in London. Gandhi, representing the Indian National Congress, and Lord Irwin, representing the British government, reached a consensus on several points. The key elements of the agreement included the suspension of the civil disobedience movement by Gandhi and the release of political prisoners by the British authorities. In return, the Indians agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference.

While the agreement did lead to some positive developments, the broader issues of Indian independence were not completely addressed, and the Round Table Conferences did not result in a lasting constitutional settlement. Nonetheless, the Gandhi-Irwin Agreement demonstrated a willingness on both sides to engage in dialogue, and it played a role in shaping the subsequent course of the Indian independence movement.

05 March - Biju Patnaik was born in 1916

 

Biju Patnaik, was a famous Oriya leader and Chief Minister. He served as Chief Minister of Odisha for two terms. Biju Patnaik became a friend of Jawaharlal Nehru during Indian freedom struggle. For his support to Indonesia during its freedom struggle, Patnaik was given a honorary citizenship there was awarded the ‘Bhoomi Putra’, the highest Indonesian award. He also received their highest national award in 1996. He was born on 5 March 1916.

05 March - Joseph Stalin death anniversary

 

Joseph Stalin( 06 December 1878 – 05 March 1953) was a revolutionary in the Russian Empire and political leader who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He held power as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1922–1952) and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union (1941–1953). Initially governing the country as part of a collective leadership, he consolidated power to become a dictator by the 1930s. Ideologically adhering to the Leninist interpretation of Marxism, he formalised these ideas as Marxism–Leninism, while his own policies are called Stalinism.

Widely considered to be one of the 20th century's most significant figures, Stalin was the subject of a pervasive personality cult within the international Marxist–Leninist movement, which revered him as a champion of the working class and socialism. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Stalin has retained popularity in Russia and Georgia as a victorious wartime leader who cemented the Soviet Union's status as a leading world power. Conversely, his regime has been described as totalitarian, and has been widely condemned for overseeing mass repression, ethnic cleansing, wide-scale deportation, hundreds of thousands of executions, and famines that killed millions.