30 May - Julius Axelrod birth anniversary

 

Julius Axelrod, born on 30 May 1912, was an American biochemist. He won a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1970 along with Bernard Katz and Ulf von Euler. The Nobel Committee honored him for his work on the release and reuptake of catecholamine neurotransmitters, a class of chemicals in the brain that include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and, as was later discovered, dopamine. Axelrod also made major contributions to the understanding of the pineal gland and how it is regulated during the sleep-wake cycle

30 May - Christopher Columbus embarked on his third voyage to the Americas in 1948

 

Christopher Columbus embarked on his third voyage to the Americas with a fleet of six ships on 30 May 1498. This voyage took place in 1498, following his initial voyages in 1492 and 1493. The purpose of Columbus's third expedition was to continue exploring and expanding the territories claimed by Spain.

The fleet consisted of three ships that were carried over from his second voyage: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Additionally, three new ships were added to the expedition: the Santiago de Palos, the San Cristobal, and the San Juan Bautista. These six vessels set sail from the Spanish port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in present-day southwestern Spain.

Columbus's third voyage differed from his previous ones in terms of the route he took. Instead of heading directly west across the Atlantic, he opted for a more southern route. He sailed along the coast of South America, exploring the regions of present-day Venezuela, Trinidad, and the islands of the Caribbean.

During this expedition, Columbus encountered various challenges and hardships. The voyagers faced severe storms, navigational difficulties, and tensions among the crew. Additionally, they struggled with adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes and strong currents.

Columbus's exploration during his third voyage contributed to expanding European knowledge of the American continents. He explored parts of the South American mainland, including the Orinoco River, and continued to search for valuable resources and trade routes.

Despite his efforts, Columbus did not achieve all of his objectives during this voyage. His inability to find significant quantities of gold and his clashes with indigenous populations led to growing discontent among the crew. As a result, Columbus faced criticism and opposition upon his return to Spain.

Nonetheless, Columbus's third voyage remains an important chapter in the history of European exploration and the colonization of the Americas. It furthered European understanding of the vastness and diversity of the New World and contributed to the ongoing process of European expansion and colonization in the following centuries.

30 May - La Gazette de France first published in 1631

 

 

"La Gazette de France," the pioneering French newspaper was first published on May 30, 1631. This inaugural edition primarily focused on medical information and advice, reflecting the background and interests of its founder, Théophraste Renaudot, who was a physician. Over time, "La Gazette de France" expanded its coverage to encompass various topics and became an influential publication during the 17th and 18th centuries.

La Gazette de France played a significant role in the development of journalism and the dissemination of information during the 17th and 18th centuries. It had a wide readership and served as an influential source of news and opinions.

The newspaper covered various subjects, including political events, court news, international affairs, and scientific advancements. It published official announcements, literary pieces, and advertisements. The Gazette played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and reporting on significant events, such as wars, treaties, and social issues.

During the reign of Louis XIV, La Gazette de France became an official organ of the French government and received royal patronage. It held a privileged position and enjoyed certain privileges, including exclusive access to official documents and news.

La Gazette de France continued to be published for several centuries, evolving with the changing times. However, its influence gradually waned as other newspapers emerged, and the media landscape transformed.

 

30 May - Narayan Malhar Joshi death anniversary

 

Narayan Malhar Joshi (5 June 1879 – 30 May 1955), the father of the ‘Trade Union Movement’ in India. He replaced the ‘All India Trade Union Congress’ in 1920 and was its secretary until 1929. Due to the influence of the Communists in the Congress, he left the Congress and formed a new organization called the ‘Trade Union Confederation’. He was also an elected member of the Central Legislative Assembly, Delhi. N.M Joshi continued to lead the moderate section in the All-India Trade Union Congress for a long time. He was also a member of the ‘Central Pay Commission’ in 1947 AD. Joshi also took interest in social service and established many hospitals for women and children. He also established schools for industrial training. He died on 30 May 1955 in Mumbai.

30 May - Viswanathan Anand became the World Chess Champion for the fifth time in 2012

 

 

Viswanathan Anand became the World Chess Champion for the fifth time in 2012. Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster and one of the greatest chess players in history.

Anand's fifth World Chess Championship victory occurred in the tournament held in Moscow, Russia, in 2012. The championship match was a twelve-game match against Boris Gelfand of Israel. The match was closely contested, and after twelve games, the score was tied at 6-6, leading to a rapid tiebreak playoff.

In the rapid tiebreak, Anand showed his exceptional skills and defeated Gelfand to secure the victory and retain the World Chess Championship title. This achievement made Anand the World Chess Champion for the fifth time, consolidating his reputation as one of the all-time greats in the chess world.

It's worth noting that Anand's previous World Chess Championship victories occurred in 2000, 2007, 2008, and 2010. His successes have not only elevated his status in the chess community but have also made a significant impact on the popularity and development of chess in India, inspiring numerous aspiring chess players in the country.

30 May - Mother's Day (Nicaragua)

 

Mother's Day in Nicaragua is celebrated on May 30th each year. It is a day dedicated to honoring and appreciating mothers and mother figures for their love, care, and contributions to the family and society.

In Nicaragua, Mother's Day is a significant and widely celebrated holiday. Families often come together to express their gratitude and love for mothers, grandmothers, and other maternal figures in their lives. It is a time for children and family members to show their affection through gestures of appreciation, gifts, cards, and special activities.

Schools and community organizations in Nicaragua also organize events and programs to celebrate Mother's Day. Children often participate in school activities such as art and craft projects, performances, and concerts dedicated to mothers. These events provide an opportunity for children to showcase their talents and express their love and gratitude for their mothers in a public setting.

Churches in Nicaragua may hold special Mother's Day services to recognize and honor mothers within their congregations. These services often include prayers, blessings, and sermons emphasizing the importance of mothers and their role in nurturing and guiding their families.

Restaurants and other establishments may offer special Mother's Day menus or discounts, allowing families to treat their mothers to a special meal or outing. It is also common for families to gather at home and prepare a festive meal to celebrate the occasion.

Additionally, many Nicaraguans take the opportunity to spend quality time with their mothers on this day. They may plan outings, picnics, or family gatherings to create lasting memories and show their appreciation for the love and care they have received.

30 May - Statehood Day Croatia

 

From 2020, this state holiday was celebrated on May 30th each year. From 2001 until 2019, May 30th was observed as the Day of the Croatian Parliament, a memorial day and a working day, while Statehood Day was celebrated on June 25th as a public holiday and nonworking day.

In Croatian, Statehood Day is known as 'Dan državnosti' and is Croatia's national day marking the day in 1990 when the first post-Communist multi-party Parliament was constituted.

Historically part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire until its collapse at the end of World War I, Croatia was one of the six republics that formed Yugoslavia.

Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, the first post-Communist multi-party Parliament was constituted in Croatia on May 30th 1990.

In May 1991, the Croatian independence referendum had resulted in a 94% vote in favour of establishing an independent Croatia.

Following the result, the Croatian Parliament formally proclaimed independence with the Constitutional decision on sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Croatia on June 25th.




 

30 May - Rituparno Ghosh death anniversary

 

The above cover is part of the three special covers were released on 16th November 2019 at the State Level Philatelic Exhibition " Ekla Chalo Re" held at Kolkatta featuring Film personalities like Suchitra Sen and Rituparno Gosh, 100 years of Young India newspaper.

Rituparno Ghosh (31 August 1963 – 30 May 2013), an Indian film director, actor, writer, and lyricist. He got recognition for his second feature film Unishe April which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Ghosh was mainly influenced by the works of Satyajit Ray and was a fervent reader of Rabindranath Tagore. He died on 30 May 2013 due to heart attack at the age of just 49 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

29 May - Sir Arthur Eddington organized an expedition to validate the theory of general relativity

 

In 1915, Albert Einstein introduced his theory of general relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of gravity and the nature of spacetime. One of the key predictions of this theory was that light would be bent as it passed near a massive object, such as the Sun.

To test this prediction, a British astronomer named Sir Arthur Eddington organized an expedition to observe a total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919. The eclipse provided a rare opportunity to observe stars near the Sun, which would appear to shift their positions due to the bending of light according to Einstein's theory.

Two teams of astronomers were dispatched—one to Sobral in Brazil and the other to Príncipe, an island off the coast of West Africa. They captured photographs of the stars during the total solar eclipse, comparing their positions to their expected positions without the influence of the Sun's gravity.

When the results were analyzed, it was found that the observed star positions had indeed shifted in accordance with Einstein's predictions. This confirmed the validity of Einstein's theory of general relativity and made headlines worldwide. The findings marked a major scientific breakthrough and cemented Einstein's reputation as one of the greatest physicists of all time.

The 1919 solar eclipse expedition led by Sir Arthur Eddington provided the crucial experimental evidence needed to support Einstein's theory of general relativity and demonstrated the accuracy of his revolutionary ideas. It remains a significant event in the history of physics and the validation of our understanding of gravity.

29 May - Sir Edmund Hillary, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953

 On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese Sherpa, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. Their historic achievement marked the first confirmed ascent of Mount Everest and is considered one of the greatest feats in mountaineering history.

Edmund Hillary was born on July 20, 1919, in Auckland, New Zealand. He developed a passion for mountaineering at a young age and became an experienced climber. In 1951, Hillary participated in a reconnaissance expedition to Everest, which laid the groundwork for future attempts.

In 1953, Hillary joined the British Everest Expedition, led by Colonel John Hunt, with the goal of reaching the summit. The expedition set up a series of camps along the South Col route in Nepal. On May 28, Hillary and Norgay established Camp IX at the South Col, which served as their final camp before the summit push.

The next day, on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Norgay began their summit attempt. Battling extreme cold, harsh winds, and treacherous terrain, they steadily ascended the mountain. After a grueling climb, at 11:30 a.m., Hillary and Norgay stood on the summit of Mount Everest, an elevation of 29,028 feet (8,848 meters).

Their success was met with worldwide acclaim and admiration. Hillary and Norgay's achievement symbolized the triumph of human determination and endurance in the face of extreme challenges. They became instant heroes and were celebrated for their bravery and mountaineering skills.

Sir Edmund Hillary dedicated much of his life to philanthropy in Nepal, helping to improve the lives of the Sherpa people and supporting education and healthcare initiatives in the region. Tenzing Norgay, too, continued to be involved in mountaineering and worked as a guide on various expeditions.

The ascent of Everest by Hillary and Norgay opened the door for future climbers to conquer the world's highest peak. Since then, thousands of mountaineers from around the world have attempted to reach the summit of Everest, although it remains a challenging and dangerous endeavor. The legacy of Hillary and Norgay's achievement continues to inspire and captivate adventurers and mountaineers to this day.