23 February - George Frideric Handel birth anniversary

 

George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-born Baroque composer who later became a British citizen. He is best known for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions, with his most famous work being the oratorio Messiah (1741), which includes the iconic "Hallelujah" chorus.

Born in Halle, Germany, Handel initially studied law before fully dedicating himself to music. He traveled to Italy, where he was influenced by Italian opera, before settling in London in 1712. There, he became a dominant figure in English music, composing numerous operas such as Rinaldo and Giulio Cesare and later shifting to oratorios like Samson and Judas Maccabaeus.

His music is known for its grandeur, dramatic expression, and melodic brilliance. Handel was also a favorite of the British royal family and composed Music for the Royal Fireworks and Water Music for royal occasions. He went blind in his later years but continued composing and performing until his death in 1759. He is buried in Westminster Abbey, a mark of his lasting legacy in British music.

23 February - “Islamabad’ declared as new capital of Pakistan in 1960

 

On February 23, 1960, the Federal Cabinet of Pakistan decided to designate the new capital of the country as "Islamabad." Prior to this decision, since Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Karachi had served as the capital. However, due to various reasons, including the geographical location and strategic considerations, it was decided to move the capital to a more central location.

Islamabad, which means "City of Islam" in Urdu, was chosen as the new capital. The city was purposefully built to replace Karachi and officially became the capital on August 14, 1963. The decision to establish Islamabad as the capital was part of broader efforts to develop a new, well-planned city that could better serve as the administrative and political center of Pakistan.

 

23 February - The first mass inoculation of children against polio with the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh.

 

On February 23, 1954, the first large-scale trial of the polio vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The trial involved nearly 2 million children, known as the "Polio Pioneers," who received the vaccine. This marked a significant step in the fight against polio, a debilitating and potentially deadly disease that had caused widespread fear and epidemics. The success of the trial eventually led to the widespread use of the Salk vaccine, which played a crucial role in the near-eradication of polio in many parts of the world.