19 September - Yuvraj Singh made history by hitting six sixes in a single over against England in T20 World Cup match

 

On 19 September 2007, during the ICC T20 World Cup, Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh made history by hitting six sixes in a single over against England's bowler Stuart Broad. This incredible feat occurred in the 19th over of India's innings, and Yuvraj reached his half-century in just 12 balls, setting the record for the fastest fifty in T20 internationals. This moment remains one of the most iconic achievements in cricket, contributing to India's eventual win and their successful campaign to lift the T20 World Cup that year.

19 September - New Zealand became first country to grant women the right to vote 1893

On 19 September 1893, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. This historic achievement was largely due to the efforts of women's suffrage activists like Kate Sheppard, whose tireless campaigning helped bring about this groundbreaking change in voting rights.

Here are more details about the events leading up to and following the landmark decision:

Background and Campaign

• Early Advocacy: The campaign for women's suffrage began in the 1870s but gained significant momentum in the 1880s. Advocates like Kate Sheppard believed that granting women the right to vote would improve society by allowing women to influence laws, particularly regarding social reforms like temperance.

• Petitions: A series of petitions were organized throughout the 1890s, with the largest one submitted in 1893, bearing over 32,000 signatures. This massive petition was a key moment that pressured New Zealand's Parliament to take the matter seriously. It was known as the largest petition in New Zealand at the time.

• Political Struggle: Despite significant opposition, including concerns that women's involvement in politics would disrupt the family structure, a suffrage bill was introduced several times in the 1890s. Each time it was narrowly defeated. However, by 1893, public support had reached a tipping point.

• Passage of the Electoral Act 1893: On September 19, 1893, the Governor, Lord Glasgow, signed the Electoral Act into law, officially granting women the right to vote. This act made New Zealand the first self-governing nation to allow women to participate in national elections.

First Women's Election

• The law took effect just in time for the 1893 general election. A huge number of women, approximately 85% of those eligible, registered to vote, and on 28 November 1893, women cast their ballots for the first time in New Zealand’s history.

Impact and Legacy

• International Influence: New Zealand's action had a ripple effect worldwide, encouraging women's suffrage movements in other countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. Australia followed by granting women the right to vote in 1902, though other countries took decades to follow suit.

• Kate Sheppard's Legacy: Kate Sheppard became a symbol of the suffrage movement, both in New Zealand and globally. Her portrait is featured on the New Zealand $10 note, and she remains an enduring figure in feminist history.

• Continued Progress: While women were granted the right to vote, it wasn't until 1919 that they were allowed to stand for election to Parliament. New Zealand elected its first female MP, Elizabeth McCombs, in 1933.

New Zealand’s achievement is remembered as a defining moment in the global struggle for gender equality, setting an important precedent for women’s rights around the world.

19 September - Karnam Malleswari becomes the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in 2000

 

On 19 September 2000, Karnam Malleswari made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. She achieved this feat at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, where she won a bronze medal in weightlifting, competing in the women's 69 kg category.

Malleswari lifted a total of 240 kg, securing her place on the podium and marking a significant milestone for Indian women in sports. Her achievement was particularly groundbreaking, as it showcased Indian women's potential on the global sports stage and inspired many future athletes.

Her victory remains a celebrated moment in Indian Olympic history, and she is regarded as a trailblazer for women athletes in the country.

Early Life and Career:

• Born on 01 June 1975, in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Malleswari began weightlifting at the age of 12. Coming from a humble background, she had to overcome several obstacles, including financial constraints and limited resources.
• She trained rigorously under the guidance of prominent coaches and quickly rose to prominence in the national and international weightlifting scene.

Achievements Prior to Sydney Olympics:

• Before her Olympic glory, Malleswari had already established herself as one of the top weightlifters in the world.
• She won the World Weightlifting Championship in 1994 and 1995, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat.
• At the 1998 Asian Games, she earned a bronze medal, further solidifying her place among elite weightlifters.

Sydney 2000 Olympics:

• At the Sydney Olympics, Malleswari competed in the 69 kg weightlifting category.
• She successfully lifted 110 kg in the snatch and 130 kg in the clean and jerk, for a total of 240 kg, which earned her the bronze medal.
• Malleswari had the potential to win gold but missed a 137.5 kg lift in her final attempt in the clean and jerk, which would have propelled her to the top spot.
• Despite this, her achievement of winning India’s first-ever women’s Olympic medal was a historic and proud moment for the country.

Significance of the Win:

• Malleswari’s bronze medal was India's first Olympic medal in 4 years, after Leander Paes's bronze in tennis at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
• More importantly, it was India's first-ever Olympic medal by a woman, breaking gender barriers and inspiring future generations of female athletes in a nation where sports, particularly for women, did not receive as much attention or investment.
• Her win also boosted the visibility of weightlifting in India and encouraged more young women to take up the sport.

Legacy:

• Karnam Malleswari's triumph paved the way for future women Olympic medalists like Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, and Sakshi Malik.
• For her contributions to Indian sports, she was honored with prestigious awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (India’s highest sporting honor) and the Padma Shri (India’s fourth-highest civilian award).
• After her retirement from competitive sports, she continues to contribute to weightlifting in India as a coach and mentor, and in 2021, she was appointed as the first vice-chancellor of Delhi Sports University.

Malleswari's Olympic success remains a symbol of perseverance and determination, and she is celebrated as a trailblazer who shattered societal norms and achieved greatness on the world stage.

19 September - International Talk Like a Pirate Day

 

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is celebrated annually on September 19th. It began in 1995 as a fun and lighthearted holiday created by two friends, John Baur ("Ol' Chumbucket") and Mark Summers ("Cap'n Slappy"). The idea behind the day is to encourage people to speak in pirate lingo for fun, using expressions like "Arrr!" and "Ahoy, matey!"

While it started as a joke between friends, the holiday gained popularity when humor columnist Dave Barry mentioned it in a syndicated article in 2002. Since then, it has become an international phenomenon, with events, parties, and social media posts celebrating the pirate-speak.

The day is known for its playful spirit, with people dressing up in pirate costumes, organizing pirate-themed events, and even using it as a fundraiser for various charities.