15 February - Canada Maple Leaf inaugurated in a public ceremony

 

The new maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill. Thousands of Canadians gathered as the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered and, at the stroke of noon, the new National Flag of Canada was hoisted. Prime Minister Pearson’s words on the occasion resound with hope and determination: “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”

In the words of John Matheson, the new flag “was the handiwork of many loving hands, extended over a long period of Canada’s history.” This collaborative effort created an elegant new emblem, instantly recognizable as the foremost symbol of Canada, its values, and the millions of citizens who make up the Canadian family.

15 February - World Hippo Day

 

Every year on February 15, World Hippopotamus Day, sometimes referred to as World Hippo Day, is observed. The day is set aside specifically to honor hippopotamuses and to inspire action against their extinction.The hippopotamus is the largest terrestrial mammal after elephants and rhinos.
 

The closest surviving relatives of hippopotamids, despite their outward resemblance to pigs, are whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc., from whom they diverged some 55 million years ago. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, hippos are semi-aquatic mammals that like to live in rivers and mangrove swamps.

15 February - Mirza Ghalib death anniversary

 

Mirza Ghalib, whose real name was Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, was one of the most prominent and influential poets in the Urdu and Persian languages during the Mughal Empire in India. Born on 27 December 1797, in Agra, British India (present-day India), Ghalib's poetry continues to be celebrated for its depth, philosophical insight, and eloquent expression.

Here are some key points about Mirza Ghalib:

1. Name: Mirza Ghalib's pen name "Ghalib" means "conqueror" or "dominant," reflecting his mastery of language and poetic expression.

2. Early Life: Ghalib belonged to a family of Turkish descent and was educated in Persian and Arabic literature. He lived during a period of great cultural and political change in India.

3. Poetic Style: Ghalib is known for his ghazals, a poetic form that typically consists of rhyming couplets and a recurring rhyme scheme. His poetry often explores themes of love, loss, philosophical reflection, and the complexities of human emotions.

4. Persian and Urdu Poetry: Ghalib wrote extensively in both Persian and Urdu, showcasing his command over both languages. His poetry is considered a pinnacle of classical Urdu and Persian literature.

5. Life Challenges: Ghalib faced financial struggles and personal tragedies throughout his life. The decline of the Mughal Empire and the emergence of British colonial rule in India had a significant impact on his circumstances.

6. Recognition: While Ghalib did not gain widespread recognition during his lifetime, his work posthumously became immensely popular. His poetry is now celebrated not only in South Asia but also globally.

7. Legacy: Mirza Ghalib is regarded as one of the most significant poets in the Urdu and Persian languages. His ghazals are still widely read and recited, and his influence extends to various art forms, including music and literature.

Mirza Ghalib passed away on 15 February 1869 in Delhi, leaving behind a timeless legacy of poetic brilliance. His work has inspired generations of poets and continues to resonate with readers around the world.

15 February - Subhadra Kumari Chauhan death anniversary

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (16 August 1904– 15 February 1948) was an Indian poet. One of her most popular poems is "Jhansi ki Rani" (about the courageous Queen of Jhansi)

Subhadra Chauhan was born in Nihalpur village in Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh. She initially studied in the Crosthwaite Girls' School in Allahabad where she was senior to and friends with Mahadevi Verma and passed the middle-school examination in 1919. She married Thakur Lakshman Singh Chauhan of Khandwa in 1919 when she was sixteen with whom she had five children. After her marriage with Thakur Lakshman Singh Chauhan of Khandwa in the same year, she moved to Jubbulpore (now Jabalpur), Central Provinces.

In 1921, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and her husband joined Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement. She was the first woman Satyagrahi to court arrest in Nagpur and was jailed twice for her involvement in protests against the British rule in 1923 and 1942.

She was a member of the legislative assembly of the state (erstwhile Central Provinces). She died on 15 FEbruary 1948 in a car accident near Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, on her way back to Jabalpur from Nagpur, the then capital of Central Provinces, where she had gone to attend the assembly session.

14 February - Saint Valentine Day

 

Every year 14th February is celebrated as Valentine’s Day across the world. Valentine’s Day is mainly a western tradition, the day is now celebrated in a major way in India as well. This day is named after a Christian martyr Saint Valentine and is celebrated to commemorate the love between companions.

It is believed that this day was first incorporated by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. There were several martyrs named Valentine in the early years who were martyred for multiple reasons. However, none of them were associated with love. It was in the 14th century that martyr named Valentine was associated with love and it is believed that the tradition of Valentine’s Day started from that particular Valentine.

Some interesting facts related to Valentine’s Day

•   Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day in terms of sending cards. Christmas is the first.

•   Every Year Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged!

•   Do you know why Cupid is the symbol of valentine’s day? Cupid is the son of Venus. Venus is the Roman god of love and beauty.

•   Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentines Day candy box in the late 1800s.

•   In the year 1537, England’s King Henry VII officially declared Feb. 14 the holiday.

•   On average, men spend double the amount of money on Valentine`s Day gifts as compared to women. On average men spend $130.

•     The oldest known Valentine’s Day card is on display at London’s British Museum. The card dates back to the 1400s.

13 February - Sarojini Naidu birth anniversary

 

Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naida was born in a Bengali family in Hyderabdad on 13th February, 1879. She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and also the first woman governor to become the governor of a state in India.

She was also a renowned poet and was famously known as Bharatiya Kokila (The Nightingale of India). Sarojini Naidu was a prominent figure during India’s Independence Movement and was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s Swaraj ideology.

Few notable and interesting facts related to Sarojini Naidu

•     At a tender age of 12, she wrote a play called “Maher Muneer”. Her work gained immense popularity and also impressed Nawab of Hyderabad. She gained worldwide popularity for her play.

•     Sarojini Naidu’s father wanted her to become a scientist or mathematician but she was more inclined towards poetry and writing

•     At a very young age, she wrote a poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’ which consists of 1300 lines.

•     Sarojini Naidu married Padipati Govindarajulu Naidu at the age of 19 in 1898.

•     She was awarded with Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for her work during the plague epidemic in India by the British government.
  

13 February - World Radio Day

 

World Radio Day is an international day celebrated on 13 February each year. The Day was decided by UNESCO on 3 November 2011 during its 36th conference.

World Radio Day was first proposed by Spain in September 2010. With backing from broadcasting associations around the world, it was unanimously accepted by the UNESCO Member States in November 2011. The cool thing about radio is it’s still relevant and important in our daily lives. During those long drives for vacation or maybe to work, the radio is still with us, keeping us singing and keeping us informed. It’s like a great friend and neighbor, one who’s always there and never lets you down —except radio will never borrow your weed whacker and forget to return it.

12 February - Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday

 

 

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the Union through the American Civil War to defend the nation as a constitutional union and succeeded in abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

10 February - Kashi Vidyapith established

 

Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith is a public university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Established in 10 February 1921 as Kashi Vidyapith and later renamed, it is administered under the state legislature of the government of Uttar Pradesh. It got University status in 1974 as Deemed to be University and State University status in 2009 by The Uttar Pradesh State Universities (Amendment) Act, 2008 (act no. 6 of 2009). The university has more than 400+ affiliated colleges spread over six districts. It is one of the largest state universities in Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds of thousands of students, both rural and urban. It offers a range of professional and academic courses in arts, science, commerce, agriculture science, law, computing and management.

10 February - Teddy Day

 

Teddy Day is the fourth day of Valentine's Week. It falls on February 10. People gift their partner or crush a teddy bear on this day to express their love and fondness for them. Since Valentine's week is about celebrating the feeling of being in love with pomp and grandeur, gifting teddy bears also becomes a part of that gesture.

Teddy is special to humans as they are a part of one’s childhood, reminding us of the warmth and softness that once was a part of their life.