16 August - National Airborne Day

 

National Airborne Day is observed annually in the United States on August 16th to honor the airborne divisions of the U.S. military and their contributions to the defense of the nation. Established by President George W. Bush in 2002, the day commemorates the achievements and sacrifices of airborne forces, who are specially trained to carry out parachute assaults, air assaults, and other air-deployed operations.

Historical Background

• Formation of Airborne Forces: The first official U.S. Army parachute jump took place on 16 August 1940, by members of the Parachute Test Platoon. This event marked the beginning of airborne operations in the U.S. military. The success of these early tests led to the formation of the first airborne units, including the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, which became legendary during World War II.

• World War II and Beyond: During World War II, airborne forces played crucial roles in major operations such as the D-Day invasion of Normandy, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. The bravery and effectiveness of these units cemented their place in military history. Airborne forces have since participated in numerous conflicts, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and more recent engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Significance of National Airborne Day

• Honoring Service and Sacrifice: National Airborne Day is a time to recognize the courage, skill, and dedication of those who serve in airborne units. These soldiers undergo rigorous training and are often deployed in some of the most dangerous and challenging missions.

• Legacy of Excellence: The day also highlights the legacy of airborne operations and the ongoing importance of airborne forces in modern military strategy. The training and tactics developed by airborne units have evolved over the years, but their core mission remains the same: to provide rapid, flexible, and effective response to threats.

• Public Recognition: The day serves as an opportunity for the public to learn more about the history and contributions of airborne forces. Ceremonies, events, and educational activities are often held to celebrate the day, including parachute demonstrations, memorial services, and military displays.

Observance and Activities

• Military Events: On National Airborne Day, various military bases and airborne units may hold ceremonies, reenactments, and parachute jumps to honor their heritage. Veterans and active-duty airborne soldiers often participate in these events.

• Public Awareness: The day also encourages citizens to acknowledge the importance of airborne forces in protecting national security. It is a time for reflection on the sacrifices made by those who serve in these specialized units.

National Airborne Day is a reminder of the valor and dedication of airborne soldiers and their vital role in the U.S. military's ability to respond to global challenges. It is a day of pride for those who have worn the airborne insignia and for the nation they serve.

15 August - MS Dhoni retires from international cricket in 2020

 

Former Team India captian MS Dhoni retires from international cricket on 15 August 2020, wishing him the very best and thank him for the wonderful memories.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (born 7 July 1981), is an Indian former international cricketer who captained the Indian national team in limited-overs formats from 2007 to 2016 and in Test cricket from 2008 to 2014. Under his captaincy, India won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. A right-handed middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper, Dhoni is one of the highest run scorers in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with more than 10,000 runs scored and is considered an effective "finisher" in limited-overs formats. He is also regarded by some as one of the best wicket-keepers and captains in modern limited-overs international cricket.

Find the cricket stats of MS Dhoni:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/28081.html

#ThankYouMSDhoni #TeamIndia  @msdhoni #DhoniRetires #dhonifinishesoffinstyle

16 August - Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary

 

A revolutionary, a politician, a writer, a poet, a role model for the  leaders, the founder of BJP and of course an inspiration for the youth.Your deeds are indeed a source of motivation. Remembering a great political leader on his death anniversary

Atal ji was known as the best and most popular Prime Minister of India. He was a real Bharat Ratna, who worked & lived for Bharat. 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (25 December 1924 – 16 August 2018) was an Indian statesman who served three terms as the Prime Minister of India, first for a term of 13 days in 1996, then for a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999, followed by a full term from 1999 to 2004. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was the first Indian prime minister not of the Indian National Congress to serve a full term in office. He was also noted as a poet and a writer.

During his tenure as prime minister, India carried out the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. Vajpayee sought to improve diplomatic relations with Pakistan, travelling to Lahore by bus to meet with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. After the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan, he sought to restore relations through engagement with President Pervez Musharraf, inviting him to India for a summit at Agra.

The administration of Narendra Modi declared in 2014 that Vajpayee's birthday, 25 December, would be marked as Good Governance Day. In 2015, he was conferred India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. He died on 16 August 2018 of age-related illness.

Quote by Atal Bihari Vajpayjee ji "We are unnecessarily wasting our precious resources in wars... if we must wage war, we have to do it on unemployment, disease, poverty, and backwardness."

#AtalBihariVajpayee  #Atalji  #BharatRatna  @BJP4India

#atalbiharivajpayeeji #AtalBharatKiAtalTasveer

16 August - Paraguay Children's Day

In Paraguay, Children's Day is celebrated on 16 August, day of the Battle of Acosta Ñu, where it is said that 20,000 men from the Triple Alliance were awaited by a Paraguayan force made up of 3,500 children ages six to fifteen, ordered to hold the Alliance forces while the president Solano Lopez could escape. Even though Paraguay had been already completely defeated, it is said that Lopez forced them to stay and face the enemy, others sources claim that the children volunteered to fight against the Allied forces after their families had been killed by the advancing allied forces (see more in Paraguayan War). Children's Day is a national holiday, used to remember the event, which happened during the five-year war.

 

#ChildrensDay

#innerchild

16 August - National Rum Day USA

 

National Rum Day comes on August 16 of every year. Rum is the third most popular spirit followed by the vodka and all the whiskey combined in the United States. It is a distilled clear alcoholic drink which is a byproduct of molasses production and made directly from sugar cane juice. After the evaporation and distillation process, most rum is aged in wooden oak barrels.  It stirs up images of sandy shores and vividly coloured umbrellas in fruity drinks. It is a fresh and sweet spirit that originated in sunny Papua New Guinea.

15 August - India Independence Day

 Independence Day is annually celebrated on 15 August, as a national holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947, the day when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947, as passed by the United Kingdom Parliament, which transferred legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly came into effect. India retained King George VI as head of state until its transition to full republican and Constitution of India 1950 replaced the dominion prefix, Dominion of India with the enactment of the sovereign law Constitution of India. India attained independence following the Independence Movement noted for largely non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.

Independence coincided with the partition of India, in which the British India was divided along religious lines into the Dominions of India and Pakistan; the partition was accompanied by violent riots and mass casualties, and the displacement of nearly 15 million people due to religious violence. On 15 August 1947, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi. On each subsequent Independence Day, the incumbent Prime Minister customarily raises the flag and gives an address to the nation.The entire event is broadcast by Doordarshan, India's national broadcaster, and usually begins with the shehnai music of Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Independence Day is observed throughout India with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events. It is a national holiday.

14 August - Bombay High Court inaugurated in 1862

 

Bombay High Court is one of the oldest High Courts of India.It is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Its jurisdiction covers the states of Maharashtra and Goa, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The High Court has regional branches at Nagpur and Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Panaji, the capital of Goa. The building is part of The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai, which was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 2018

The Bombay High Court was one of the three High Courts in India established at the Presidency Towns by Letters patent granted by Queen Victoria, bearing date June 26, 1862. It was inaugurated on August 14, 1862 under the High Courts Act, 1861.

14 August - Shri Vethathiri Maharishi birth anniversary

 

Shri Vethathiri Maharishi (14 August 1911–28 March 2006) was a spiritual leader and founder-trustee of “The World Community Service Centre”. From his youth he was driven by the desire for knowledge and in particular strove to find answers to three questions:

What is God?

What is life?

Why is poverty in the world?

The search to find these answers as well as to further his lot in life led him into various fields of endeavor, including becoming a qualified practitioner of two systems of Indian indigenous medicine, Ayurveda and Siddha, and certified practitioner Homeopathy as well.

He founded over 300 yoga centres around the world and wrote about 80 books, many of which became academic textbooks. Tamil Nadu government has recently approved to teach his Simplified Kundalini Yoga at Schools.

14 August - N. M. R. Subbaraman born in 1905

 

N. M. R. Subbaraman (14 August 1905 – 25 January 1983) was an Indian freedom fighter and politician from Tamil Nadu. He was a member of Parliament from the Madurai constituency (1962–1967). He was also called "Madurai Gandhi" for his Gandhian principles

He died on 25 January 1983 in Madurai. In 2006, to commemorate his 100th birthday, the Government of India issued a stamp with his image.

14 August - World Lizard Day

 

World Lizard Day is celebrated on August 14 of every year. World Lizard Day is all about celebrating the Lizard all over the day. There are nearly 5600 species of Lizards alive today, and many of them are threatened species, with habitat loss and predation by non-native species like dogs and cats being the primary threats. World Lizard Day provides the perfect opportunity for a fun celebration of a reptilian fascination, and a chance to teach peoples about the world around us.