18 March - American Express was established

 

American Express was founded on 18 March 1850. It was established as an express mail business in Buffalo, New York, by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield. The company later expanded its services to financial and travel-related services, including traveler's cheques, credit cards, and charge cards. Today, American Express is a multinational financial services corporation known for its credit cards, charge cards, and traveler's cheque businesses.

 

18 March - Shahaji Raje Bhosale

 

Shahaji Raje Bhosale, also known as Shahaji Maharaj, was a prominent figure in Indian history, particularly in the context of the Maratha Empire. He was the father of the legendary Maratha king, Shivaji Maharaj. Shahaji Raje Bhosale was born on 18 March 1594. He passed away on 23 January 1664. His contributions to the expansion and consolidation of the Maratha power were significant, laying the groundwork for the rise of the Maratha Empire under his son Shivaji Maharaj.

 

18 March - Mohandas Gandhi sentenced to six years in prison

 

On March 18, 1922, Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, was sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in civil disobedience activities. The specific incident that led to Gandhi's imprisonment was his involvement in the nonviolent civil disobedience campaign known as the Non-Cooperation Movement, which aimed to resist British rule through nonviolent means such as boycotts, strikes, and protests.

Gandhi's imprisonment was a significant moment in the struggle for Indian independence, as it further galvanized support for the movement both within India and internationally. Despite being incarcerated, Gandhi continued to advocate for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as powerful tools for social and political change. His imprisonment symbolized the sacrifices made by countless Indians in the pursuit of freedom and self-determination.

18 March - Frederick II declares himself King of Jerusalem in 1229

 

Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, declares himself King of Jerusalem on 18 March 1229

Frederick II (German: Friedrich; Italian: Federico; Latin: Fridericus; 26 December 1194 – 13 December 1250) was King of Sicily from 1198, King of Germany from 1212, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor from 1220 and King of Jerusalem from 1225. He was the son of emperor Henry VI of the Hohenstaufen dynasty and Queen Constance of Sicily of the Hauteville dynasty.

18 March - Global Recycling Day

 

Global Recycling Day, celebrated on March 18 every year, this initiative us to look at our trash in a new light. There are several ways to recycle that allow some materials to be reused multiple times and the environment friendly too because it lessens the energy we use, enhances the quality of water and air we breathe, and combats climate change.

It also reduces using new raw materials to create new products — saving money and natural resources. Newspapers, plastic water bottles, soda cans, cereal boxes, and cartons are some of the common everyday recyclable items. If we put effort into recycling items that we usually throw away, we can impact the earth and our lives in a more profound way.

18 March - International Sports Car Racing Day

 

International Sports Car Racing Day celebrated on the third Saturday of March every year is the day to celebrate and enjoy this extremely famous, international sport called sports car racing. This year it falls on March 18. Did you know that this day coincides with the 12 Hours of Sebring sports car endurance race? Yes, International Sports Car Racing Day is celebrated on the same day as the endurance race held in Sebring, Florida, at the International Raceway. The 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Daytona, and 24 Hours of Le Mans were widely considered the trifecta of sports car racing. So, let us learn about the history, significance, and some interesting facts about this awesome day.

18 March - Grover Cleveland birth anniversary

 

Grover Cleveland, born on 18 March 1837, in Caldwell, New Jersey, was an American politician who served as both the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. Here are key points about Grover Cleveland:

1. Early Life: Cleveland was the fifth of nine children in his family. He worked as a teacher and a clerk before studying law and eventually practicing as an attorney.

2. Sheriff of Erie County: Cleveland entered politics and served as the Sheriff of Erie County, New York, from 1871 to 1873. His reputation for honesty and integrity earned him the nickname "Grover the Good."

3. Governor of New York: Cleveland served as the Governor of New York from 1883 to 1885. His success in this role gained him national prominence.

4. Presidential Elections: In 1884, Cleveland, a Democrat, won the presidential election, becoming the first Democrat to be elected president since before the Civil War. He lost his bid for re-election in 1888 but successfully ran again in 1892.

5. First Non-Consecutive Terms: Cleveland is the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms. He served as the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and as the 24th president from 1893 to 1897.

6. Policies and Legacy: Cleveland's presidencies were marked by a commitment to limited government, fiscal conservatism, and a dedication to individual liberties. He vetoed numerous bills he considered unconstitutional or financially unsound.

7. Economic Challenges: Cleveland faced economic challenges during his second term, including the Panic of 1893, which led to a severe economic depression. His response to the crisis and his handling of the Pullman Strike in 1894 were controversial.

8. Marriage: Cleveland is the only president to marry in the White House. He wed Frances Folsom in 1886, who, at 21, became the youngest first lady in U.S. history.

9. Death: Grover Cleveland died on 24 June 1908, at the age of 71, in Princeton, New Jersey.

10. Legacy: Cleveland is remembered as a president who prioritized fiscal responsibility, limited government, and individual liberties. His commitment to honesty and integrity left a lasting impact on his reputation.

Grover Cleveland's political career and presidency reflected the political and economic challenges of his time. His commitment to principles, even when controversial, contributed to his unique place in American political history.

18 March - Alexei Leonov :1st Person to Walk in Space

 

Alexei Leonov, was a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut, Air Force major general, writer, and artist. On 18 March 1965, he became the first human to conduct a spacewalk, exiting the capsule during the Voskhod 2 mission for 12 minutes and 9 seconds.

17 March - Irène Joliot-Curie death anniversary

 

Irène Joliot-Curie was born on 12 September 1897, and she passed away on 17 March 1956.

was a pioneering French scientist who, along with her husband, Frédéric Joliot-Curie, made groundbreaking contributions to the field of nuclear science. She was the daughter of Marie and Pierre Curie, both Nobel laureates themselves, and carried on the legacy of her parents in the realm of scientific discovery.

Key Achievements:

1. Discovery of Artificial Radioactivity (1934): Irène and Frédéric Joliot-Curie are best known for their discovery of artificial radioactivity. They showed that stable elements could be made radioactive by bombarding them with alpha particles. This discovery had profound implications for both scientific research and medical treatment and earned them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935.

2. Contribution to Nuclear Physics: Their work laid the groundwork for nuclear fission, which would later be harnessed for both energy production and atomic weapons.

3. World War II and Political Involvement: During World War II, the Joliot-Curies were involved in anti-fascist movements. Irène, in particular, was a member of various scientific and humanitarian organizations. After the war, she played a key role in rebuilding France's scientific institutions and was instrumental in advancing nuclear research in France.

4. Scientific Leadership: She became director of the Radium Institute, founded by her mother, and contributed to developing the French atomic energy program.

5. Public Health Advocacy: Beyond her scientific work, Irène was also concerned with public health issues, including the dangers of radiation. Her own work with radioactive materials likely contributed to her early death from leukemia in 1956.

Irène Joliot-Curie’s legacy extends beyond her scientific achievements, as she also worked to promote women in science and public service.

17 March - Golda Meir becomes Prime Minister of Israel.

 

Golda Meir was born on 03 May 1898, and she passed away on 08 December 1978. She became the fourth Prime Minister of Israel on 17 March  1969. She was the first and, to date, the only woman to hold this position in Israel. Golda Meir served as Prime Minister until 1974. During her tenure, she faced significant challenges, including the aftermath of the Six-Day War, tensions with neighboring Arab states, and economic issues. Golda Meir was known for her strong leadership, commitment to Zionism, and efforts to secure Israel's place in the international community. Her leadership during a critical period in Israel's history has earned her respect and admiration both domestically and internationally.