07 December - Spitak earthquake Armenia 1988

 The 1988 Armenian earthquake, also known as the Spitak earthquake, occurred on December 7 at 11:41 local time with a surface wave magnitude of 6.8 and a maximum MSK intensity of X (Devastating). The shock occurred in the northern region of Armenia (then Armenian SSR, as part of the Soviet Union) which is vulnerable to large and destructive earthquakes and is part of a larger active seismic belt that stretches from the Alps to the Himalayas. Activity in the area is associated with tectonic plate boundary interaction and the source of the event was slip on a thrust fault just to the north of Spitak. The complex incident ruptured multiple faults, with a strike-slip event occurring shortly after the initiation of the mainshock. Between 25,000 and 50,000 were killed and up to 130,000 were injured

07 December - National Defence Academy established in 1954

 

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services i.e. the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force train together before they go on to respective service academy for further pre-commission training. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. It is the first tri-service academy in the world.It was Established on 7 December 1954

The alumni of NDA include 3 Param Vir Chakra recipients and 12 Ashoka Chakra recipients. NDA has also produced 27 service Chiefs of Staff till date. The current Chiefs of Staff of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are all NDA alumni from the same course.The 137th course graduated on 30 November 2019, consisting of 188 Army cadets, 38 Naval cadets, 37 Air Force cadets and 20 cadets from friendly foreign countries.The Supreme Court of India passed an order in August 2021 that allowed female candidates to appear for the all upcoming NDA entrance examination.

06 December - South Africa grants independence to Bophuthatswana in 1972

 

Bophuthatswana was one of several so-called "homelands" established by the apartheid government of South Africa. It was granted self-governance in 1972 but was not recognized internationally as an independent state.

Bophuthatswana remained part of the apartheid system until the end of apartheid in the early 1990s. With the end of apartheid and the transition to majority rule, Bophuthatswana was reintegrated into South Africa. The dissolution of Bophuthatswana took place in 1994 when the new democratic government of South Africa abolished the system of Bantustans. South Africa held its first fully inclusive democratic elections in 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era in the country's history.

 

06 December - The Irish Free State became an independent member of the British Commonwealth

 

The Irish Free State (now known as Ireland) formally became an independent member of the British Commonwealth on December 6, 1922. The Anglo-Irish Treaty, which was signed on December 6, 1921, paved the way for the establishment of the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. The treaty came into effect on December 6, 1922, marking the official establishment of the Irish Free State as a sovereign nation. The relationship between Ireland and the British Commonwealth evolved over time, and Ireland ultimately left the Commonwealth and became a republic in 1949.

06 December - Christopher Columbus first arrived at the island of Hispaniola

 

Christopher Columbus first arrived at the island of Hispaniola on  06 December 1492, during his first voyage to the Americas. The exact date may vary slightly in different historical accounts due to differences between the Julian calendar, which was in use at the time, and the Gregorian calendar, which is now the standard calendar.

Hispaniola is an island in the Caribbean that is divided into two countries: the Dominican Republic to the east and Haiti to the west. Columbus's landing on Hispaniola marked a significant moment in the Age of Exploration, as it was one of the first encounters between the Old World and the New World during Columbus's voyages sponsored by Spain.

06 December - The Home Guard Raising Day

 

The Home Guard Raising Day in India is celebrated on 06 December . The Home Guard is an auxiliary force that assists the police and other law enforcement agencies in maintaining internal security and dealing with emergencies. The Home Guard Raising Day is an occasion to honor and recognize the contributions of Home Guards to the security and welfare of the nation.

Home Guard units are comprised of volunteers who undergo training to assist the regular forces during natural disasters, civil disturbances, and other emergencies. The day is marked with various events, parades, and ceremonies to acknowledge the dedication and service of the Home Guards.

 

06 December - Finland independence day

 

Finland Independence Day is celebrated on December 6th each year. On this day in 1917, Finland declared its independence from Russia, which had been a part of the Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire. The declaration of independence was a significant moment in Finnish history, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Finland. December 6th is a national holiday in Finland, and it is celebrated with various events, ceremonies, and traditions throughout the country.

05 December - International Volunteer Day

 

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is observed annually on December 5th. It is a global celebration that provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the efforts of volunteers worldwide, as well as to promote the value of volunteerism in making positive contributions to communities and societies.

The United Nations established International Volunteer Day to raise awareness about the importance of volunteerism and to inspire more people to engage in volunteer activities. The day also serves as a platform for volunteer organizations and individuals to showcase their work, share their experiences, and highlight the impact of volunteering on local and global issues.

Each year, International Volunteer Day has a specific theme that focuses on various aspects of volunteerism. The themes often highlight the role of volunteers in addressing specific social, economic, or environmental challenges.

Volunteering plays a crucial role in addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental sustainability, and community development. It fosters a sense of civic responsibility, solidarity, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. On International Volunteer Day, organizations and communities often organize events, conferences, and activities to recognize volunteers and promote the importance of volunteering.

05 December - Robert Watson-Watt death anniversary

 

Sir Robert Watson-Watt (1892–1973) was a Scottish physicist and engineer who played a crucial role in the development of radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) technology. Born on April 13, 1892, in Brechin, Scotland, Watson-Watt's work in radar had a significant impact on military and civilian applications, especially during World War II.

In the 1930s, Watson-Watt was involved in research related to radio waves and the ionosphere. In 1935, he was appointed to head a committee in the United Kingdom tasked with investigating the possibility of using radio waves to detect aircraft. Watson-Watt and his team quickly developed the concept of radar as a means of detecting and locating aircraft.

The first practical radar system, known as Chain Home, was deployed along the British coastline during the late 1930s and played a crucial role in the defense of Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Radar allowed the British Royal Air Force to detect incoming German aircraft, providing valuable time to scramble fighter planes and respond to potential threats.

Watson-Watt's contributions to radar technology were of great strategic importance during World War II, and he was knighted for his efforts in 1942. After the war, he continued to work in scientific research and government service. Watson-Watt's work laid the foundation for the widespread development and application of radar technology in various fields, including aviation, meteorology, and navigation. He is remembered as a key figure in the advancement of radar and its impact on modern technology. Watson-Watt passed away on 05 December 1973.

05 December - Josh Malihabadi Indo- Pakistan poet

 

Josh Malihabadi (born Shabbir Hasan Khan; 5 December 1898 – 22 February 1982) popularly known as Shayar-e-Inqalab (poet of revolution) was a Pakistani poet and is regarded as one of the finest Urdu poets of the era of British India. Known for his liberal values and challenging the established order, he wrote over 100,000 couplets and more than 1,000 rubaiyat in his lifetime. His wrote Yaadon ki Barat, his autobiography which is noted for its frank and candid style. The first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru held him in high esteem and frequently attended the mushaira at Lala Kishan Lal Kalra's United Coffee House where Josh performed.

Some of his works were translated to English like The Unity of Mankind elegies by Josh Malihabadi by Syed Akbar Pasha Tirmizi who was a Pakistani citizen and a high court advocate.

Josh migrated to Pakistan in 1956 – despite Jawaharlal Nehru's insistence against it – over what is generally believed to be his concern regarding the future of Josh and Urdu language in India, where he thought the Hindu majority would encourage the use of Hindi rather than Urdu. After migration, Josh settled in Karachi and worked for Anjuman-i-Tarraqi-i-Urdu.Josh remained in Pakistan until he died on 22 February 1982 in Islamabad