24 February - Navam Full Moon Poya Day 2024

 

Navam Full Moon Poya Day is a Buddhist observance that falls on the full moon day of the lunar month of Navam, typically occurring in February. The term "Poya" refers to the full moon day in the Buddhist calendar, and each Poya day is dedicated to the commemoration of significant events in the life of Lord Buddha or the promotion of ethical and spiritual practices.

Key aspects of Navam Full Moon Poya Day include:

1. Magha Puja: Navam Poya Day is also known as Magha Poya in Sri Lanka, and it is associated with the gathering of 1,250 arahants (enlightened disciples) who spontaneously assembled to hear the Buddha preach. This event is similar to the Makha Bucha Day observed in other Theravada Buddhist countries.

2. Religious Observances: Devotees engage in various religious activities on Navam Full Moon Poya Day, including visiting temples, making offerings to monks, and participating in prayers and meditation.

3. Observance of Precepts: Buddhists often renew their commitment to ethical conduct by observing the Five Precepts. These precepts are fundamental guidelines for moral living and include refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxication.

4. Almsgiving and Charity: As with many Poya days, devotees may engage in acts of generosity, such as providing alms to monks, supporting charitable causes, and practicing kindness towards others.

5. Dhamma Talks: Buddhist monks may deliver Dhamma talks or discourses, focusing on the teachings of the Buddha and offering guidance on the path to enlightenment.

Navam Full Moon Poya Day is a time for reflection, meditation, and the reinforcement of spiritual principles. The specific customs and rituals associated with this observance can vary across different regions where Theravada Buddhism is practiced, but the central theme remains the commemoration of important events in the life of Lord Buddha and the cultivation of mindfulness and virtuous living.

24 February - Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022

 

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014. The invasion became the largest attack on a European country since World War II.It is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands of military casualties. By June 2022, Russian troops occupied about 20% of Ukrainian territory. From the 41 million population in January 2022, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Extensive environmental damage caused by the war, widely described as an ecocide, contributed to food crises worldwide.

24 February - The Pamban Bridge opened in 1914

 

The Pamban Bridge is a historic and iconic railway bridge located in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to the mainland of India. The bridge is situated over the Palk Strait and is a crucial link for the transportation of people and goods between the island and the mainland.It was opened on February 24, 1914.

Key features of the Pamban Bridge include:

1. Type of Bridge: The Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a Scherzer rolling lift section. The central part of the bridge can be lifted to allow ships and ferries to pass through.

2. Construction: The construction of the bridge was completed in 1914. It was a significant engineering marvel of its time and was the longest sea bridge in India until the Bandra-Worli Sea Link was opened in Mumbai.

3. Length: The total length of the bridge is about 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles).

4. Lift Span: The central part of the bridge can be lifted vertically to let ships and vessels pass through. This is a unique feature of the bridge.

5. Scenic Views: The Pamban Bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding seascape and is a popular tourist attraction.

The Pamban Bridge has undergone maintenance and renovations over the years to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. It holds historical significance as an engineering marvel and plays a vital role in the connectivity of the region.

 

24 February - Jacques de Vaucanson birth anniversary

 

Jacques de Vaucanson was born on 24 February 1709, in Grenoble, France. He passed away on 21November  1782, in Paris, France.  

He was a French inventor and engineer known for his contributions to the development of early automation and machinery during the 18th century. He gained fame for his creations in the fields of automata, weaving, and silk processing. Here are some key aspects of Jacques de Vaucanson's work:

1. Automata: Vaucanson was renowned for his intricate and sophisticated automata, which were mechanical devices designed to imitate human or animal actions. One of his most famous creations was the "Digesting Duck," an automaton that simulated the process of eating, digesting, and excreting.

2. Silk Weaving: Vaucanson also made significant advancements in the textile industry. He developed an automated loom for weaving silk, which improved efficiency and played a role in the industrialization of textile production.

3. Mechanical Flute Player: Another notable automaton by Vaucanson was the Mechanical Flute Player. This automaton could play several tunes on a flute and was considered an engineering marvel of its time.

4. Contribution to Automation: Vaucanson's work in automata and machinery laid the groundwork for later developments in automation and robotics. His creations demonstrated the potential for using machines to imitate complex human and animal movements.

While Vaucanson's inventions were groundbreaking, they were also met with some controversy, and his automata stirred debates about the nature of life and the limits of machines. Despite the challenges and criticisms, his work contributed to the broader understanding of mechanics and automation during the Enlightenment era.

24 february - Printers Day

 

In this digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, it’s easy to overlook the significance of printing. However, on World Printing Day, we take a moment to appreciate the art and science behind this timeless medium of communication.

Printing Day is observed on February 24th every year to commemorate the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440. This revolutionary invention revolutionized the spread of knowledge and ideas by making books and printed materials more accessible to people worldwide.

The day serves as a reminder of the importance of printing in preserving history, culture, and knowledge. It also acknowledges the contributions made by printers and publishers in shaping societies and fostering intellectual growth.

 

 

24 February - Guru Ravidas Jayanti

 

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is a festival that celebrates the birthday of Guru Ravidas, who was a renowned saint, poet, and philosopher. Guru Ravidas is considered a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement, and his teachings focused on equality, unity, love, and devotion to God.

The exact date of Guru Ravidas Jayanti varies each year as it is determined by the lunar calendar. It usually falls in the month of January or February. Devotees and followers of Guru Ravidas commemorate this day by organizing processions, reading his teachings, singing hymns, and engaging in charitable activities.

Guru Ravidas is widely respected in Sikhism and other Indian spiritual traditions. His messages emphasize the importance of living a righteous life, transcending social barriers, and recognizing the divine presence in all beings. On Guru Ravidas Jayanti, people visit gurdwaras and other places of worship to seek inspiration from his teachings and reflect on the values he espoused.

 

24 February - A Penny Red with perforations was the first perforated postage stamp to be officially issued for distribution.

 

On 24 February 1854, A Penny Red with perforations was the first perforated postage stamp to be officially issued for distribution.

The Penny Red is a British postage stamp, issued in 1841. It succeeded the Penny Black and continued as the main type of postage stamp in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until 1879, with only minor changes to the design during that time. The colour was changed from black to red because of difficulty in seeing a cancellation mark on the Penny Black; a black cancel was readily visible on a Penny Red.

24 February - Tourism Day in Taiwan

 

Tourism Day in Taiwan is observed every year on the 15th day of the first Lunar month, and takes place on February 24 this year. It is a day to generate awareness about and promote tourism on the island of Taiwan. It highlights its culture, diversity, cuisine, e.t.c., in an effort to draw more tourist traffic and educate the world about what it has to offer.