14 October - Defender of Ukraine Day (Ukraine)

 

Defender of Ukraine Day (День захисника України) is celebrated annually on October 14. Established in 2014 by a presidential decree, it honors the men and women who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the country's veterans, volunteers, and those defending Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The date, October 14, is significant for several reasons:

1. Religious and historical symbolism: It coincides with the Feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos (Pokrova), a major religious holiday in Ukraine. The feast day has historically been important to Ukrainian Cossacks, who saw the Virgin Mary as their protector. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which fought for Ukraine's independence in the mid-20th century, also recognized this day as significant.

2. Cossack Heritage: October 14 is also Ukrainian Cossacks Day, reflecting Ukraine’s proud Cossack tradition of defending their homeland. The modern military draws inspiration from this legacy.

Defender of Ukraine Day replaced the Soviet-era Defender of the Fatherland Day, traditionally observed on February 23. The change was part of broader efforts to move away from Soviet traditions and establish distinctly Ukrainian holidays, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The day is marked by ceremonies, military parades, and acts of remembrance for fallen soldiers. It also serves as a day of national unity and pride, particularly in the context of Ukraine's ongoing struggle for independence and security.

14 October - Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi death anniversary

 

Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi born on 10 November 1920. was a prominent Indian social activist and trade union leader who left an indelible mark on India's labor movement and economic philosophy. Born in 1920, Thengadi was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and the principles of self-reliance.

Thengadi's contributions to Indian society were multifaceted. He was a key figure in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and played a pivotal role in the foundation of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in 1955. Under his leadership, BMS grew to become one of India's largest and most influential trade union organizations, working tirelessly to improve labor rights and working conditions.

Furthermore, Thengadi was a staunch advocate for Swadeshi economics, emphasizing the importance of indigenous industries and self-sufficiency. He was a co-founder of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an organization dedicated to promoting economic self-reliance and reducing reliance on foreign goods and technology.

Dattopant Thengadi's life and work embodied his unwavering commitment to the betterment of laborers, the promotion of indigenous industries, and the preservation of India's cultural and economic heritage. His legacy continues to inspire various social, economic, and political movements in India. Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi passed away on 14 October 2004, but his ideas and principles endure as guiding lights for those who seek to build a self-reliant and culturally vibrant India.

 

14 October - B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism

 

On October 14, 1956, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a prominent Indian jurist, social reformer, and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, converted to Buddhism along with thousands of his followers. This event is known as the "Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din" or the "Dhamma Conversion Day." The conversion took place at Deekshabhoomi, a stupa in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, which is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

Dr. Ambedkar's decision to convert to Buddhism was a significant moment in his life and in the history of the Dalit (formerly known as "Untouchable") community in India. It was a deliberate and symbolic act of renouncing Hinduism, which had historically discriminated against and marginalized the Dalits. By embracing Buddhism, Ambedkar and his followers sought to escape the caste-based discrimination and inequality that had long oppressed them.

The conversion ceremony at Deekshabhoomi marked the beginning of a new chapter for Dr. Ambedkar and his followers, as they embraced Buddhism as a path of spiritual and social liberation. Ambedkar's teachings and the principles of Buddhism, with their emphasis on equality, non-violence, and social justice, provided a sense of empowerment and a new identity for many marginalized individuals in India.

Today, the conversion of B.R. Ambedkar to Buddhism is remembered and celebrated as an important moment in the struggle for the rights and dignity of the Dalit community and as a symbol of their pursuit of social justice and equality. It continues to be a significant event in the history of Buddhism in India and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for social reform and inclusivity in the country.

 

14 October -Captain Charles Yeager, first human to break the sound barrier in level flight.

 

On October 14, 1947, the American test pilot, Captain Charles "Chuck" Yeager, became the first human to break the sound barrier in level flight. This historic event marked a significant milestone in aviation and aeronautical engineering.

Chuck Yeager accomplished this feat while flying the Bell X-1 aircraft, which he named "Glamorous Glennis" in honor of his wife. The X-1 was a rocket-powered research aircraft designed to reach and exceed the speed of sound, which is approximately 761 miles per hour (1,225 kilometers per hour) at sea level and depends on various factors like temperature and air pressure. Yeager achieved this milestone by flying the X-1 at a speed of Mach 1.06, which is about 807 miles per hour (1,300 kilometers per hour) at an altitude of 45,000 feet (13,700 meters) in the skies over the Mojave Desert in California.

Chuck Yeager's successful supersonic flight had a profound impact on the field of aviation and military technology, as it opened the door to the development of faster and more advanced aircraft. This achievement marked the beginning of the era of supersonic flight and paved the way for the development of supersonic and hypersonic aircraft that followed in the years and decades to come.

Yeager's courage and his role in pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible in aviation made him a legendary figure in the history of aerospace, and his achievement on that October day in 1947 is remembered as a groundbreaking moment in the history of flight.