26 March - Ludwig van Beethoven death annivarsary

 

Ludwig van Beethoven, passed away on 26 March 1827, was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classical music repertoire. His works span the transition from the classical period to the romantic era in classical music. His career has conventionally been divided into early, middle, and late periods. The "early" period, during which he forged his craft, is typically considered to have lasted until 1802. From 1802 to around 1812, his "middle" period showed an individual development from the "classical" styles of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and is sometimes characterized as "heroic". During this time he began to suffer increasingly from deafness. In his "late" period from 1812 to his death in 1827, he extended his innovations in musical form and expression.

26 March - John James Audubon was born

 

John James Audubon, born on 26 March 1785, was an American self-trained artist, naturalist, and ornithologist. His combined interests in art and ornithology turned into a plan to make a complete pictorial record of all the bird species of North America. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations, which depicted the birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book titled The Birds of America (1827–1839), is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon is also known for identifying 25 new species. He is the eponym of the National Audubon Society, and his name adorns a large number of towns, neighborhoods, and streets across the United States. Dozens of scientific names first published by Audubon are still in use by the scientific community.

26 March - Dhirendranath Ganguly birth anniversary

 

Dhirendranath Ganguly, also known as D.G., was an Indian actor, director, and producer who played a significant role in the early years of Indian cinema. He was born on 26 March1893 and passed away on 18 November 1978.

D.G. Phalke, as he is often called, is considered one of the pioneers of Indian cinema. He played a crucial role in the making of the first full-length Indian feature film, "Raja Harishchandra," which was released in 1913. Directed by Dadasaheb Phalke (D.G. Phalke), the film marked a milestone in the history of Indian cinema.

Apart from acting, D.G. Phalke ventured into film direction and production. He established the Hindustan Film Company in 1917. He directed and produced several silent films and later transitioned into the era of talkies. Some of his notable works include "Mohini Bhasmasur" (1913), "Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra" (1917), and "Lanka Dahan" (1917).

D.G. Phalke's contributions to Indian cinema were foundational, and he played a crucial role in shaping the early landscape of the Indian film industry. His pioneering efforts continue to be remembered and celebrated in the history of Indian cinema.

 

26 March - Martyr's Day or Day of Democracy Mali

 

Martyr's Day, also known as Day of Democracy, is observed in Mali on March 26th each year. This day commemorates the tragic events of March 26, 1991, when a peaceful pro-democracy demonstration in Bamako, the capital city of Mali, turned violent, resulting in the deaths of numerous protesters.

The demonstrators were calling for democratic reforms and an end to the authoritarian rule of President Moussa Traoré, who had been in power since 1968. The government responded to the protests with violence, leading to a massacre in which hundreds of civilians were killed.

The massacre on March 26, 1991, marked a turning point in Mali's history, eventually leading to the ousting of President Moussa Traoré and the establishment of a multi-party democracy in the country. In the aftermath of the massacre, Mali transitioned to a democratic system of government, with free and fair elections held regularly.

Martyr's Day is observed in Mali to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy and freedom. It serves as a reminder of the importance of democracy, human rights, and the need to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all citizens. The day may be marked with solemn ceremonies, remembrance events, and reflections on the country's democratic progress and challenges.

 

26 March - Purple Day (Canada and United States)

 

Purple Day is an international observance dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy. It is observed annually on March 26th in Canada and the United States, as well as in many other countries around the world.

The initiative was started by Cassidy Megan, a young girl from Canada who wanted to increase understanding about epilepsy and reduce the stigma associated with it. Purple was chosen as the color for epilepsy awareness, as it symbolizes bravery and determination.

On Purple Day, people are encouraged to wear purple clothing or accessories, and various events and activities are organized to educate the public about epilepsy, its symptoms, and how to provide support to individuals living with the condition. Schools, workplaces, and community organizations often participate in Purple Day activities to show solidarity and raise awareness.

The ultimate goal of Purple Day is to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for people with epilepsy and to promote acceptance and understanding within society.

26 March - Vladimir Putin was elected President of Russia in 2000

 

March 26, 2000, is the date when Vladimir Putin was first elected President of Russia. He succeeded Boris Yeltsin, who resigned from the presidency, making Putin the acting president until the election. Putin won the election with a significant majority, marking the beginning of his presidency and his prominent role in Russian politics for the next two decades. He is the longest-serving Russian or Soviet leader since Joseph Stalin
 

26 March - Dr. Jonas Salk tested a vaccine to prevent polio

 

On 26 March 1953, Dr. Jonas Salk announced that he had successfully tested a vaccine to prevent polio, clinical trials began the next year.

Polio occurs naturally only in humans. It is highly infectious, and is spread from person to person either through fecal-oral transmission (e.g. poor hygiene, or by ingestion of food or water contaminated by human feces), or via the oral-oral route. Those who are infected may spread the disease for up to six weeks even if no symptoms are present. The disease may be diagnosed by finding the virus in the feces or detecting antibodies against it in the blood.