19 February - Acharya Narendra Deva death anniversary

 

Acharya Narendra Deva (30 October 1889 – 19 February 1956) was one of the leading theorists of the Congress Socialist Party in India. His democratic socialism renounced violent means as a matter of principle and embraced the satyagraha as a revolutionary tactic.

Dev was first drawn to nationalism around 1915 under the influence of B G Tilak and Aurobindo Ghosh. As a teacher he became interested in Marxism and Buddhism. He was active in the Hindi language movement. He was a key leader of the Congress Socialist Party from its founding in 1934 and was imprisoned several times during the freedom struggle. He was at times a member of the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly.

He served as Vice Chancellor of University of Lucknow from 1947-1951 and then served as Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from December 1951 to 31 May 1954. Helped by Nirmal Chandra Chaturvedi, Executive Councillor and a prominent educationist of the state. He started a number of projects for the expansion of the university.

Narendra Dev advocated the abolition of poverty and exploitation not just through the Marxist materialist dialectic but especially on moral and humanistic grounds. He insisted that "without social democracy political democracy was a shame". Dev was active in the peasant movement and served as president of the All-India Kisan Congress.

He remained associated with the Socialist Party and its successor, the Praja Socialist Party, until his death in 1956.

19 February - Family Day Canada

 

Family Day is a public holiday in several provinces and territories across Canada. The date on which it is celebrated varies depending on the region. Here are the details for each province and territory:

1. Alberta: Family Day is observed on the third Monday in February.

2. British Columbia: Family Day is observed on the third Monday in February.

3. Manitoba: The third Monday in February is celebrated as Louis Riel Day, which is a public holiday. However, it is not officially designated as Family Day.

4. New Brunswick: Family Day is observed on the third Monday in February.

5. Newfoundland and Labrador: St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday observed on March 17th, but it is not officially designated as Family Day.

6. Nova Scotia: Heritage Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February, but it is not officially designated as Family Day.

7. Ontario: Family Day is observed on the third Monday in February.

8. Prince Edward Island: Islander Day is observed on the third Monday in February, and it serves as the province's equivalent to Family Day.

9. Quebec: This province does not officially observe Family Day, as they have a different public holiday called Jour de la famille (Family Day), which is celebrated on the third Monday in February.

10. Saskatchewan: Family Day is observed on the third Monday in February.

Family Day is a time for Canadians to spend with their families and participate in various activities and events that celebrate the importance of family life. It provides an opportunity for people to relax and enjoy each other's company during the winter months.

 

19 February - National Flag Day Turkmenistan

 

Turkmenistan celebrates the National Flag Day on February 19 which a national holiday in the country. It marks the day Turkmenistan approved its current national flag on 19th February 1992. First celebrated in 1995, National Flag Day has been marked by festive celebrations and the president's message to the people.

The Turkmen flag has a green background with a vertical red and burgundy stripe, five national carpet patterns, a white crescent and five stars on it. The national flag symbolizes unity, solidarity, and brotherhood. The green color symbolizes the unity of time, life and land. The crescent represents a clear sky and white five-pointed stars are the symbol of the five regions of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan had issued a number of stamps depicting the flag of the nation. In the year 1996, Turkmenistan issued a 1,000 Turkmenistani manat stamp to celebrate the Fifth Anniversary of Independence. The stamp depicts Flag and Arms of Turkmenistan. The name of the country is inscribed on the top left and the denomination value at the bottom right. 

19 February - Commemoration of Vasil Levski (Bulgaria)

 

Vasil Levski, also known as the Apostle of Freedom, was a key figure in the Bulgarian struggle for independence against Ottoman rule in the 19th century. He played a crucial role in organizing and leading revolutionary activities aimed at liberating Bulgaria. The commemoration of Vasil Levski in Bulgaria is an important event that honors his contributions to the country's fight for freedom.

Vasil Levski Commemoration:

1. Date: The commemoration of Vasil Levski typically takes place on February 19th, which is the anniversary of his execution by the Ottoman authorities in 1873.

2. Activities: On this day, various events and ceremonies are organized throughout Bulgaria to pay tribute to Vasil Levski. These may include official ceremonies, wreath-laying at monuments dedicated to Levski, cultural events, educational programs, and speeches highlighting his role in Bulgarian history.

3. Monuments and Memorials: There are numerous monuments and memorials dedicated to Vasil Levski across Bulgaria. On the commemoration day, these sites become focal points for gatherings and ceremonies.

4. National Hero: Vasil Levski is widely regarded as a national hero in Bulgaria, and his legacy is an integral part of the country's historical narrative. His commitment to the cause of Bulgarian independence and his efforts to create a revolutionary movement have left an enduring impact on the nation.

Vasil Levski's contributions are celebrated not only on the specific commemoration day but throughout the year, as his life and sacrifices remain central to Bulgaria's identity and the struggle for national sovereignty. The commemoration serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and the sacrifices made by individuals like Vasil Levski in the pursuit of national independence.

19 February - National Democracy Day in Nepal

 

National Democracy Day in Nepal is observed on February 19th each year. This day holds historical significance as it commemorates the establishment of democracy in the country. Specifically, on February 19, 1951, King Tribhuvan, who had sought asylum in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, returned to the throne, ending the autocratic Rana rule and initiating a transition towards a democratic system.

National Democracy Day is a public holiday in Nepal, and various events and activities take place across the country to celebrate and reflect on the achievements and challenges of the democratic journey. Please note that celebrations and events may vary, and it's advisable to check more recent and local sources for the latest information on National Democracy Day in Nepal.

 

19 February - Munshi Nawal Kishore death anniversary

 

Munshi Nawal Kishore (03 January 1836 – 19 February 1895) was a book publisher from India. He has been called Caxton of India. In 1858, at the age of 22, he founded the Nawal Kishore Press at Lucknow. This institution today is the oldest printing and publishing concern in Asia.Mirza Ghalib was one of his admirers.

Munshi Nawal Kishore was the second son of Munshi Jamuna Prasad Bhargava, a zamindar of Aligarh, and was born on 3 January 1836. At the age of six, he was admitted in a local school (maktab) to learn Arabic and Persian. At the age on 10, he was admitted in Agra College, but he never completed his education there for an unknown reason. During this time, he developed his interest in journalistic writing, and issued a short-lived weekly paper Safeer-e-Agra. He briefly served as an assistant editor and editor of Koh-i-Noor, a magazine of Koh-i-Noor Press owned by Munshi Harsukh Roy.

On 23 November 1858, he founded a printing press known as Munshi Nawal Kishor Press. From 1859, he started publishing weekly newspaper Avadh Akhbar, also known as Oudh Akhbar.

He died on 19 February 1895 in Delhi. His body was buriedinstead of traditional cremation. The Government of India issued a postage stamp on him in his honour in 1970.

Munshi Nawal Kishore published more than 5000 books in Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, English, Marathi, Punjabi, Pashto, Persian, Sanskrit and Urdu during 1858–1885.The Ram Kumar Press and Tej Kumar Press, started by his sons, are successors to the Nawal Kishore Press.

Munshi was a member of the Indian National Congress

18 February - Michelangelo death anniversary

 

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni ( 06 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), known as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect,and poet of the High Renaissance. Born in the Republic of Florence, his work was inspired by models from classical antiquity and had a lasting influence on Western art. Michelangelo's creative abilities and mastery in a range of artistic arenas define him as an archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival and elder contemporary, Leonardo da Vinci.Given the sheer volume of surviving correspondence, sketches, and reminiscences, Michelangelo is one of the best-documented artists of the 16th century. He was lauded by contemporary biographers as the most accomplished artist of his era.

18 February - Rafi Ahmed Kidwai birth anniversary

 

Rafi Ahmed Kidwai (18 February 1894 – 24 October 1954) was a politician, an Indian independence activist and a socialist. He hailed from Barabanki District of Uttar Pradesh, in north India.
Rafi Ahmed was born in the village of Masauli, in Barabanki district (now in Uttar Pradesh)

Kidwai died in Delhi on 24 October 1954. He had heart failure after experiencing an attack of asthma while delivering a speech. His burial site, at his home village, was covered by a Mughal-style mausoleum. According to historian Paul Brass, "A formidable fund-raiser for Congress movements and elections, he distributed his largesse to all and sundry, but died in debt, leaving behind only a decaying house in his home village.

18 February - Enzo Ferrari birth anniversary

 

Enzo Anselmo Giuseppe Maria Ferrari Cavaliere di Gran Croce( 18 February 1898– 14 August 1988) was an Italian motor racing driver and entrepreneur, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari automobile marque. He was widely known as "il Commendatore" or "il Drake". In his final years he was often referred to as "l'Ingegnere" (the Engineer) or "il Grande Vecchio (the Great Old Man)". 

 

 

18 February - Mary 1 of England birth anniversary

 

Mary I of England, also known as Mary Tudor, was born on February 18, 1516, and she became Queen of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death in November 1558. Mary was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Mary I is often remembered for her efforts to restore Roman Catholicism to England, a country that had undergone significant religious changes during the reigns of her father, Henry VIII, and her half-brother, Edward VI. She is sometimes referred to as "Bloody Mary" due to the persecution of Protestants that occurred during her reign.

One of Mary's most notable actions was her marriage to Philip II of Spain in 1554, a union that aimed to strengthen ties between England and Spain. However, her marriage and her religious policies were met with resistance, and her reign is marked by political and religious turmoil.

Mary I died on November 17, 1558, and her half-sister Elizabeth I succeeded her to the throne. Elizabeth I's reign saw the establishment of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, which brought a degree of stability to the religious landscape of England.