26 April - USS Stewart (DD 13) collides with an unidentified steamer near Brest, France.

 

The USS Stewart (DD-13), a Bainbridge-class destroyer, collided with an unidentified steamer near Brest, France, on 26 April 1918. This incident occurred during World War I when the USS Stewart was serving as part of the United States Navy's contribution to the Allied effort in Europe.

The collision resulted in damage to the USS Stewart, which was likely repaired in due course. Unfortunately, historical records regarding this specific incident are limited, and details about casualties, if any, or the extent of the damage sustained by both vessels are not readily available. However, it's worth noting that naval operations during wartime often involved risks and challenges, including navigational hazards and encounters with enemy vessels or submarines.

 

 

26 April - World Healing Day

 

World Healing Day falls every year on the last Saturday of April and is dedicated to promoting global healing, peace, and unity. It's a day for individuals and communities around the world to come together in collective consciousness and focus their intentions on healing the planet and all its inhabitants.

The concept of World Healing Day is rooted in the belief that positive thoughts, intentions, and prayers can have a tangible impact on the well-being of individuals and the world as a whole. Participants often engage in various activities aimed at promoting healing, such as meditation, prayer circles, group ceremonies, and acts of kindness and compassion.

The overarching goal of World Healing Day is to foster a sense of interconnectedness and harmony among people of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. It's an opportunity to transcend differences and work towards a shared vision of healing and peace for the planet.

World Healing Day serves as a reminder of the power of collective intention and the potential for positive change when individuals come together with a common purpose. By participating in this global observance, people can contribute to a ripple effect of healing and compassion that extends far beyond their immediate surroundings.

 

26 April - World Veterinary Day

 

World Veterinary Day is an annual observance held on the last Saturday of April to highlight and celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to society. It was established by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in 2000 to raise awareness about the importance of veterinary medicine in safeguarding animal health, public health, and global food security.

Veterinarians play a critical role in various aspects of animal care, including preventive medicine, diagnostics, treatment of diseases, surgery, and animal welfare. They also contribute to public health by monitoring and controlling zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans), ensuring the safety of food products of animal origin, and promoting responsible pet ownership.

Each year, World Veterinary Day has a specific theme chosen by the WVA to focus attention on key issues in veterinary medicine. Themes may address topics such as animal welfare, One Health (the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health), antimicrobial resistance, or the role of veterinarians in disaster response and emergency management.

On World Veterinary Day, veterinary organizations, institutions, and professionals around the world organize various activities and events to commemorate the day. These may include seminars, conferences, workshops, public lectures, community outreach programs, media campaigns, and veterinary health check-ups for pets and livestock.

World Veterinary Day serves as an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the dedication and expertise of veterinarians worldwide, as well as to advocate for the advancement of veterinary science and the well-being of animals and humans alike.

 

26 April - Save The Frogs Day

 

Save The Frogs Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about amphibian conservation and the importance of protecting frog populations and their habitats. It's typically observed on the last Saturday of April each year.

Frogs and other amphibians play a crucial role in maintaining the health of ecosystems worldwide. They help control insect populations, serve as indicators of environmental health, and contribute to nutrient cycling. However, amphibian populations are facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, disease, and invasive species.

Save The Frogs Day was established by the nonprofit organization Save The Frogs! in 2009 to address these threats and promote amphibian conservation efforts globally. The day is marked by various events and activities organized by individuals, organizations, schools, and communities around the world.

These activities may include educational workshops, frog-themed art and music events, nature walks, habitat restoration projects, citizen science initiatives, and fundraising campaigns to support amphibian conservation projects.

Save The Frogs Day aims to inspire people of all ages to learn about amphibians, appreciate their importance, and take action to protect them and their habitats. By raising awareness and mobilizing communities, the day contributes to the conservation of frogs and other amphibians, helping to ensure their survival for future generations.

26 April - The National Day of Puppetry USA

 
The National Day of Puppetry is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in April each year in the United States. It's a day dedicated to the art of puppetry and is observed with various events, performances, workshops, and activities that showcase the rich diversity and creativity of puppetry.

Puppetry has a long and rich history, dating back thousands of years across different cultures around the world. It encompasses a wide range of puppet styles, techniques, and traditions, from hand puppets and marionettes to shadow puppets and ventriloquism.

The National Day of Puppetry provides an opportunity for puppeteers, puppet enthusiasts, and the general public to come together and celebrate this unique art form. It's often marked by puppet shows and performances held in theaters, schools, museums, libraries, and community centers across the country.

Many organizations and puppetry guilds organize special events and activities on the National Day of Puppetry to raise awareness about puppet theater, promote puppetry as an educational tool, and inspire creativity and imagination in people of all ages.

Whether it's through traditional puppet shows, puppet-making workshops, puppetry exhibitions, or storytelling sessions, the National Day of Puppetry aims to highlight the magic, charm, and versatility of puppetry as a form of entertainment, education, and artistic expression.

 

26 April - International Sculpture Day

 

International Sculpture Day is observed annually on last Saturday of April each year. It's a celebration of sculpture as an art form and aims to promote awareness, appreciation, and understanding of sculpture among the public. The day provides an opportunity for sculptors, art organizations, museums, galleries, and enthusiasts worldwide to come together and showcase the beauty and diversity of sculptural works.

International Sculpture Day was established by the International Sculpture Center (ISC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the creation, understanding, and appreciation of sculpture. The ISC organizes various events and activities on this day, including exhibitions, workshops, symposiums, artist talks, and public art installations, both online and offline.

Through these initiatives, International Sculpture Day aims to foster dialogue, collaboration, and education about sculpture, its techniques, materials, and cultural significance. It also serves as a platform for artists to share their creative process, inspiration, and ideas with the broader community.

Participation in International Sculpture Day is open to artists, art institutions, educators, students, and anyone with an interest in sculpture. By highlighting the importance of sculpture in the arts and promoting its accessibility to all, the day contributes to the enrichment of cultural life and the appreciation of artistic expression worldwide.

26 April - Richter Scale Day

 

Richter Scale Day is observed on April 26th each year. This day commemorates the birth of Charles F. Richter, the American seismologist who invented the Richter Scale, a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.

Charles F. Richter was born on April 26, 1900, in Hamilton, Ohio, USA. He developed the Richter Scale in collaboration with Beno Gutenberg in 1935 while working at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The scale assigns a single number to quantify the energy released by an earthquake, with each whole number increase on the scale representing a tenfold increase in amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.

Richter Scale Day serves as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Charles F. Richter to the field of seismology and earthquake measurement. It also raises awareness about the importance of earthquake monitoring and preparedness in regions prone to seismic activity.

On Richter Scale Day, educational events, lectures, and discussions may be organized to highlight the significance of earthquake measurement and the role of seismologists in understanding and mitigating earthquake risks. It's a day to reflect on the impact of earthquakes on communities worldwide and the ongoing efforts to improve earthquake detection, prediction, and resilience.

26 April - Vallabhacharya, founder of 'Pushthimarg Panth', was born.

 

Vallabhacharya, also known as Vallabha, was indeed the founder of the Pushtimarg sect, which is a devotional tradition within Hinduism. He was born on 27 April 1479, in the town of Champaranya, now located in the state of Chhattisgarh, India.

Vallabhacharya was a philosopher, theologian, and saint who played a significant role in the Bhakti movement, a devotional movement that emphasized the worship of a personal deity, particularly the god Krishna. He is revered for his teachings on Pushti Bhakti, or the path of loving devotion, and for his commentary on the Bhagavata Purana, one of the major texts of Hinduism.

The Pushtimarg tradition, founded by Vallabhacharya, centers around the worship of the deity Krishna and emphasizes the importance of loving devotion (bhakti), selfless service (seva), and surrender (prapatti) to the divine. Vallabhacharya's teachings continue to inspire devotees within the Pushtimarg community and have had a lasting impact on Hindu spirituality and philosophy.

 

26 April - World Pilots Day

Every year on April 26th, World Pilots' Day is celebrated, recognizing the invaluable contributions of pilots who ensure the safe transportation of millions of passengers worldwide. This day also marks the International Civil Aviation Day's acknowledgment of pilots' vital role in sustaining aviation and their enduring partnership with IFALPA.

On this date in 1912, Fesa Evrensev, a young Turkish pilot, took his inaugural flight, marking a historic moment in aviation. Fesa Evrensev, recognized as the first Turkish military pilot, participated in numerous flight missions during the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913. In 1933, he became the inaugural president of Turkish Airlines. Due to his significant impact on Turkish aviation history, the Turkish Airlines Pilots' Association established April 26th as Pilots' Day. Subsequently, in 2013, IFALPA decided to officially commemorate pilots worldwide, selecting April 26th in honor of Mehmet Fesa Evrensev's groundbreaking flight in 1912. This decision led to the inaugural celebration of World Pilots' Day on April 26, 2014, highlighting Evrensev's pivotal role in shaping Turkish aviation since the early 1910s.

 The above stamp is of Rajesh Pilot who was  born Rajeshwar Prasad Singh Bidhuri, was a prominent Indian politician who played a significant role in the Indian National Congress party. He was born on February 10, 1945, in Sikar, Rajasthan, India, and passed away on June 11, 2000, in a car accident near Jaipur.

Pilot began his political career as a member of the Indian Air Force, where he served as a squadron leader. He later transitioned into politics and joined the Indian National Congress. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a prominent leader within the party.