23 March - Earth Hour

 

Earth Hour is an annual event that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour as a symbol of their commitment to the planet. It was initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and first took place in Sydney, Australia, in 2007.

Earth Hour usually occurs on the last Saturday of March each year, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. During this hour, participants are encouraged to switch off lights in their homes, offices, and other non-essential electronic devices to raise awareness about energy consumption, climate change, and environmental sustainability.

The event has grown significantly since its inception and has become a global movement, with millions of people in over 190 countries participating each year. Earth Hour aims to demonstrate that individual actions, when combined, can have a significant impact in addressing environmental challenges and promoting a more sustainable way of living.

 

23 March - Japanese occupation of the Andamans 1942

 

The Japanese occupation of the Andamans is perhaps one of the least talked about episodes of the Second World War. Japanese forces landed in South Andamans on 23 March 1942 and in the next three to four hours gained complete control over the area.

The mid twentieth century is fondly recollected in India as the time when she realised nationhood, freeing herself from the reigns of European power. However, the time at with the country was overflowing with the ripe forces of nationalism, an East Asian country had also forced its exploitative control over one of the country’s territories, much to the astonishment of both the natives and the British. The Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Eastern shores of the country is the only part of India to have been occupied by a non-European power, that being the Japanese.

Until 1938 the British government used them as a penal colony for Indian and African political prisoners, who were mainly put in the notorious Cellular Jail in Port Blair, the biggest town (port) on the islands.

23 March - Subhadra Joshi born in 1919

 

Subhadra Joshi (23 March 1919 – 30 October 2003), a noted Indian freedom activist, politician and parliamentarian from Indian National Congress. She took part in the 1942 Quit India movement, and later remained the president of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC). She was born on 23 March 1919 in Sialkot, Punjab, British India.

23 March - Pakistan the first Islamic republic in the world 1956

 

On 23 March 1956, Pakistan became the first Islamic republic in the world. This date is now celebrated as Republic Day in Pakistan.

23 March - Mahatma Gandhi’s first visit to Odisha in 1921

 

 

A host of programmes marked the centennial anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s first visit to Odisha in Millennium city on 23 March 2021

Gandhi had visited Odisha for the first time 100 years back, in 1921, and addressed a massive public meeting as part of his non-cooperation movement here.

To commemorate the occasion, a rally was taken out in the city from the railway station to High Court Square amid rendition of ‘Ramdhun’.

A  tableau, ‘Gandhi Pragyapana Medha’ too was part of the rally.  The newly constructed freedom fighter memorial at Swaraj Ashram was also inaugurated by Tourism and Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi.  

In the afternoon, a commemorative postage stamp on ‘100 years of first visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha’ was released by Union Minister Sanjay Dhotre at the ashram.

08 November - Sant Eknath birth

 

Sant Eknath (8 november 1533–1599),commonly known as Sant Eknath was an Indian Hindu saint, philosopher and poet.

Sant Eknath Maharaj, considered the Spiritual successor to the work of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Namadev, was a great Saint from Maharashtra. Sant Eknath was known for His spiritual prowess as well as His immense efforts in awakening people and safeguarding Dharma. Sant Eknath id the author of numerous hymns and books on Bhakti and Spirituality, including the famous Eknathi Bhagwat, the spiritual essence of the Bhagavad Geeta and his magnum opus Bhavarth Ramayan

Eknath Maharaj’s life showed the people that the worldly pursuits can also be Spiritual pursuits. He raised the aspirations of people and instilled pride into them towards Bhagwat Dharma and to build strong characters. However it was unfortunate that before the ideas and teachings of Eknath Maharaj could be properly instilled into the hearts and minds of people, invasions by foreigners diverted the peoples efforts and His efforts were shortlived.

23 March - Basawon Singh Indian independence activist

 

Basawon Singh or Basawan Singh also known as Basawon Sinha, (23 March 1909 – 7 April 1989) was an Indian independence activist and a campaigner for the rights of the underprivileged, industrial labourers and agricultural workers.

He spent a total of 18 and a half years in prisons in British India as a consequence of his support for independence and he was committed to democratic socialism.

Along with Yogendra Shukla, he was a founder member of the Congress Socialist Party in Bihar.Among his revolutionary colleagues and friends he was called Lambad because of being very tall.

23 March - Pakistan Resolution Day

 

March 23rd is celebrated as Pakistan Day, also known as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day, in Pakistan. It commemorates the adoption of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, by the All-India Muslim League. The resolution called for the establishment of a separate independent state for Muslims in British India, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.

Pakistan Day is observed with various events and celebrations across the country, including military and civilian parades, flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural performances, and patriotic speeches. It is a day to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices made by the leaders and people of Pakistan in their quest for independence and to reaffirm commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom, and national unity.

 

23 March - Adolf Hitler becomes Dictator of Germany 1933

 

On March 23, 1933, the Reichstag, the German parliament building in Berlin, passed the Enabling Act, also known as the "Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Reich." This act effectively granted Adolf Hitler and his government the legal power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or the president. With the Enabling Act, Hitler's position as Chancellor was consolidated, and he effectively became the dictator of Germany, as it allowed him to govern without parliamentary approval.

The Enabling Act marked a critical moment in Hitler's consolidation of power and the establishment of Nazi totalitarian rule in Germany. It paved the way for the suppression of political opposition, the elimination of civil liberties, and the implementation of Hitler's agenda, ultimately leading to the establishment of a fascist dictatorship.

 

23 March - The Wright Brothers apply for a patent for the airplane 1903

 

The Wright brothers filed their first patent application for a "Flying Machine" on March 23, 1903. This patent application, which detailed their innovative design for a powered aircraft, was eventually granted as U.S. Patent No. 821,393 on May 22, 1906.

The Wright brothers' successful invention and subsequent patent played a crucial role in the history of aviation, marking a significant milestone in human flight and laying the foundation for the development of modern aircraft.

 

23 March - Patrick Henry delivers his famous speech where he says “give me liberty or give me death!” in 1775

 

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry, a prominent figure in the American Revolution and a delegate to the Second Virginia Convention, delivered his famous speech in Richmond, Virginia. In this speech, Henry passionately argued in favor of taking up arms against the British Empire, urging his fellow colonists to prepare for war against British rule. One of the most memorable lines from his speech is: "Give me liberty, or give me death!"

Henry's speech was a rallying cry for American independence and played a significant role in inspiring colonists to support the cause of revolution. His words became iconic and are often quoted in discussions about freedom and the struggle for independence. Henry's speech helped galvanize public opinion in favor of revolution and ultimately contributed to the decision to pursue independence from British rule.

23 March - Homage to Martyrs commemorative stamp issued in 1981

 

A commemorative postage stamp on the Homage to Martyrs : 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar, Hari Kishan and Mallappa Dhanshetty : Issued by India Issued on Mar 23, 1981 Issued for : On the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukhdev, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Hari Kishan and Mallapa Dhanashetti, Indian P & T Department joins the Nation in paying homage to all the men and women, known and unknown, who laid down their lives so that India may be free.The stamp and First Day cover were designed by Dipok Dey and the special cancellation by Charanjit Lal.

23 March - World Bear Day

 

On March 23^rd, World Bear Day celebrates all types of bears! Moon bears, sun bears, spectacled bears, sloth bears, black and brown bears! To many Native American tribes, the bear is a symbol of strength and wisdom.

Bears are solitary mammals found across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. These creatures can live up to 25 years in the wild, but six species are threatened or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Bears face habitat loss because of logging, agriculture, and growing human population, melting sea ice, illegal wildlife trade, often for gall bladder, an ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine.

23 March - modern painters of India stamp issued in 1978

 

Complete Set of 4 nos of commemorative postage stamps on the paintings done by modern painters of India : Jamini Roy, Sailoz Mookherjea, Rabindranath Tagore and Amrita Sher-Gil : Issued by India Issued on Mar 23, 1978 Issued for : The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is happy to bring out a series of four special postage stamps on Modern Indian Paintings

The paintings depicted are<strong> :
(1) Two Vaishnavas by Jamini Roy
(2) The Mosque by Sailoz Mookherjea
(3) Head by Rabindranath Tagore
(4) Hill Women by Amrita Sher Gil