17 April - Marguerite Bourgeoys birth anniversary

 

Marguerite Bourgeoys, born on 17 April 1620, was a French nun and founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in the colony of New France, now part of Québec, Canada. She traveled to Fort Ville-Marie (now Montreal) by 1653. There she developed the convent and educated young girls, the poor, and children of First Nations until shortly before her death at the turn of the 18th century. She is also significant for developing one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church. Declared "venerable" by the pope in 1878, she was canonized in 1982 and declared a saint by the Catholic Church

17 April - Dheeran Chinnamalai birth annivesary

 

Dheeran Chinnamalai, born on April 17, 1756, was a brave warrior and a key figure in the fight against British rule in South India during the late 18th century. He hailed from Melapalayam in the present-day state of Tamil Nadu, India. Chinnamalai played a significant role in the Polygar Wars, a series of battles between the British East India Company and the polygar (local chieftain) communities who resisted British expansion.

Chinnamalai's resistance against the British was marked by his tactical brilliance and fierce determination. He led several successful guerrilla warfare campaigns against the British forces, earning him the nickname "Kattabomman of South." However, in 1801, he was captured by the British and executed, but his legacy as a valiant freedom fighter continues to inspire many to this day.

17 April - Muttiah Muralitharan was born

 

Muttiah Muralitharan, often hailed as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, is a former Sri Lankan cricketer renowned for his extraordinary spin bowling skills. Born on April 17, 1972, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Muralitharan's unorthodox bowling action and ability to spin the ball prodigiously made him a formidable opponent in all formats of the game.

Throughout his illustrious career, Muralitharan claimed numerous records, including the highest wicket-taker in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket. He was particularly known for his mastery of the doosra, a delivery that spins away from right-handed batsmen, which added an extra dimension to his already formidable arsenal.

Despite facing controversies regarding the legality of his bowling action early in his career, Muralitharan continued to dominate on the field, becoming a crucial member of the Sri Lankan cricket team for over a decade. His ability to consistently outfox batsmen, even on flat pitches, earned him widespread admiration and respect from fans and opponents alike.

Off the field, Muralitharan has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, using his platform to support charitable causes and promote cricket development, especially in his native Sri Lanka. After retiring from international cricket in 2011, he has remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of cricketers.

Muralitharan's impact on the game extends far beyond his statistics; he is revered as a cricketing legend whose legacy will continue to inspire aspiring cricketers for generations to come.

17 April - National Haiku Poetry Day

 

Observed annually on April 17, National Haiku Poetry Day encourages all to try their hand in creativity. Haiku poetry is a form of Japanese poetry that is non-rhyming and usually consists of 3 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. Usually, an element of nature, a season, a moment of beauty, or an individual experience inspires haiku poems. Sensory language is used to capture a feeling, image, or moment.

As one of the world's oldest and regularly used poetry, some recognizable poets wrote many haiku. While the most well-known is Matsuo Basho, others we may recognize are William Blake, T.S. Eliot, or Maya Angelou. And as small as the poem may be, it can be quite challenging to write. Try capturing an entire moment or emotion in 17 syllables and getting it right. 

However, English haiku does not always follow the strict syllable count found in Japanese haiku. The typical length of haiku in English language journals is 10-14 syllables versus the 5-7-5 syllables used in the Japanese language.

#NationalHaikuPoetryDay

Reference: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/

17 April - Morelos became the 27th state of Mexico in 1869

 

Morelos became the 27th state of Mexico on April 17, 1869. This date marks the official admission of Morelos into the Mexican federation as a full-fledged state. Located in central Mexico, Morelos is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and natural beauty.

Named after José María Morelos y Pavón, a prominent leader in Mexico's struggle for independence, Morelos is renowned for its historical significance and contributions to Mexican history and culture. As a state within the Mexican federation, Morelos plays a vital role in the country's political, economic, and social landscape.

The admission of Morelos as the 27th state of Mexico is a significant milestone in Mexican history, representing the expansion and consolidation of the Mexican nation-state during the 19th century. It reflects the diverse and dynamic nature of Mexico's territorial development and the ongoing process of nation-building in the aftermath of independence from Spanish colonial rule.

 

17 April - Flag Day (American Samoa)

 

Flag Day in American Samoa is celebrated on April 17th each year. It commemorates the anniversary of the day in 1900 when the flag of the United States was raised over American Samoa, officially establishing the territory as part of the United States.

Flag Day in American Samoa is a significant cultural and patriotic celebration. It includes various events and activities, such as parades, traditional dances, music performances, sports competitions, and cultural exhibitions. The festivities often highlight Samoan culture, history, and traditions, as well as the territory's relationship with the United States.

The American Samoa flag, which features a bald eagle and a blue field with a red and white stripe, is proudly displayed throughout the territory during Flag Day celebrations. It serves as a symbol of unity, pride, and identity for the people of American Samoa.

Flag Day is one of the most important holidays in American Samoa, bringing together communities to celebrate their heritage, honor their ancestors, and express their patriotism. It's a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of the territory's history and culture.

 

17 April - Malbec World Day

 

April 17th is celebrated globally as Malbec World Day, a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating the Malbec grape variety and the wines made from it. Malbec is a red wine grape originally from France, particularly associated with the Bordeaux region. However, it has gained significant popularity in Argentina, where it has become the country's flagship grape variety.

Malbec World Day provides an opportunity for wine enthusiasts, producers, and consumers around the world to recognize the unique qualities of Malbec wines and celebrate their diversity of flavors and styles. It's a day to enjoy Malbec wines, explore different regions and vintages, and learn more about the history and characteristics of this versatile grape variety.

Many wineries, restaurants, and wine shops may organize special events, tastings, and promotions to mark Malbec World Day, showcasing the best of Malbec wines from around the world. It's a wonderful occasion for wine lovers to come together and appreciate the rich flavors and cultural significance of Malbec.

 

17 April - V. S. Srinivasa Sastri death anniversary

 

V. S. Srinivasa Sastri, passed away on 17 April 1946, was an Indian politician, administrator, educator, orator and Indian independence activist. He was acclaimed for his oratory and command over the English language. Srinivasa Sastri was born to a poor temple priest in the village of Valangaiman near Kumbakonam, India. He completed his education at Kumbakonam and worked as a school teacher and later, headmaster in Triplicane, Madras. He entered politics in 1905 when he joined the Servants of India Society. Sastri served as a member of the Indian National Congress from 1908 to 1922, but later resigned in protest against the Non-Cooperation movement. Sastri was one of the founding members of the Indian Liberal Party. In his later days, he was strongly opposed to the partition of India

17 April - Benjamin Franklin death anniversary

 

Benjamin Franklin, passed away on 17 April 1790, was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the leading intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the first Postmaster General

17 April - 125th.Anniversary of Goan Theatre minature sheet released in 2018

 

A Miniature sheet consisting two commemorative postage stamps issued on 17 April 2018 on  125th.Anniversary of Goan Theatre. Tiatr is a type of musical theatre popular in the state of Goa on the west coast of India as well as in Mumbai and with expatriate communities in the Middle East, United Kingdom and other cities where Konkani speakers have a considerable presence. The dramas are performed mainly in the Roman Konkani dialects and include music, dancing and singing. Tiatr performers are called tiatrists.