24 August - Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed became 5th President of India in 1974

 

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (13 May 1905 – 11 February 1977) was an Indian lawyer and politician who served as the fifth President of India from 1974 to 1977. He was also the 2nd President of India to die in office.

Ahmed was chosen for the presidency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974, and on 24 August 1974, he became the second Muslim to be elected President of India. He is known to have issued the proclamation of emergency by signing the papers at midnight after a meeting with Indira Gandhi the same day. He used his constitutional authority as head of state to allow him to rule by decree once the Emergency in India was proclaimed in 1975.

He is well known among Indian diplomats for his visit to Sudan in 1975.He was the second Indian president to die in office, on 11 February 1977. His death occurred after he collapsed in his office while preparing to attend his daily Namaz prayer. The cause of his death was a heart attack. Today, his grave lies right across the Parliament of India next to the Sunhari Masjid, at Sansad Chowk, in New Delhi.

24 August - Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave birth anniversary

 

Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave, often referred to simply as Narmad, was born on 24 August 1833, in Surat, Gujarat. He was a pioneering figure in Gujarati literature and is widely regarded as the father of modern Gujarati prose. Narmad was a reformist, poet, and social thinker, who used his writings to challenge the social norms and traditions of his time. His work "Mari Hakikat" is considered one of the first autobiographies in Gujarati literature.

Narmad was also a strong advocate for the unification of India and coined the phrase "Jai Hind," which later became a rallying cry for Indian independence. He passed away on 26 February 1886, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence Gujarati literature and thought. His contributions laid the foundation for the development of modern literary and social discourse in Gujarat.

24 August - Vesuvius Day (Italy)

 

Vesuvius Day, observed on August 24th, commemorates the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, one of the most infamous volcanic eruptions in history. The eruption led to the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, and Stabiae, burying them under thick layers of volcanic ash and pumice. The event is remembered not only for its devastating impact but also for the remarkable preservation of the cities, offering a unique glimpse into ancient Roman life.

Mount Vesuvius, located near the Bay of Naples in Italy, had been dormant for centuries before the AD 79 eruption. The volcano suddenly erupted, sending a massive cloud of ash and gas high into the sky. The eruption continued for two days, releasing deadly pyroclastic flows that overwhelmed the nearby cities. The people of Pompeii and Herculaneum were caught by surprise, and many were unable to escape, leading to the tragic loss of thousands of lives.

The rediscovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 18th century provided invaluable insights into Roman civilization. The volcanic ash preserved buildings, artifacts, and even the remains of the victims, frozen in time. These archaeological sites have since become UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy.

Vesuvius Day serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of disaster preparedness. It also honors the memory of those who perished in the eruption and celebrates the rich cultural heritage that has been uncovered in the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Visitors to the area can explore the ruins, learn about the ancient Roman way of life, and witness the awe-inspiring presence of Mount Vesuvius, which remains an active volcano to this day.

24 August - Strange Music Day

 

Strange Music Day, celebrated on August 24th, is an occasion dedicated to exploring and enjoying music that is unconventional, experimental, or simply different from what you usually listen to. The day encourages people to step out of their musical comfort zones and discover new genres, artists, and sounds that they might not have encountered before.

The idea behind Strange Music Day is to embrace the diversity and creativity of music, appreciating the artistry that comes from blending different cultures, instruments, and styles. Whether it's avant-garde compositions, experimental electronic music, or fusions of disparate musical traditions, Strange Music Day is all about broadening your auditory horizons.

People celebrate the day by listening to unusual tracks, attending live performances, or even creating their own strange music. It's an opportunity to celebrate the limitless possibilities of sound and the unique expressions of musicians who push the boundaries of what music can be.

24 August - The International Astronomical Union revoked Pluto’s (Yama) planet status.

 

On 24 August 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) made a historic decision to revoke Pluto's status as a planet, reclassifying it as a "dwarf planet." This decision came after years of debate and discussion among astronomers about what constitutes a planet. The discovery of other similar-sized objects in the Kuiper Belt, such as Eris, led to a reconsideration of Pluto's classification.

Pluto, also known as "Yama" in Hindu mythology, was initially discovered in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh and was considered the ninth planet in our solar system. However, the IAU's new definition of a planet requires an object to meet three criteria: it must orbit the Sun, be spherical due to its own gravity, and have cleared its orbital path of other debris. While Pluto meets the first two criteria, it does not meet the third, as its orbit overlaps with that of other objects in the Kuiper Belt.

The reclassification of Pluto sparked significant public interest and debate, with many expressing disappointment over the decision. Despite losing its status as the ninth planet, Pluto remains an important object of study in astronomy and continues to capture the imagination of people worldwide. The IAU's decision also led to the formal recognition of a new category of celestial bodies, known as "dwarf planets," which includes Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres.

24 August - The first ship of the East India Company ‘Hector’ reached the coast of Surat in 1608

 

The arrival of the East India Company’s first ship, Hector, at the coast of Surat on 24 August 1608, was a significant milestone in the history of British involvement in India. Commanded by Captain William Hawkins, Hector was the first vessel sent by the Company to establish direct trade relations with India. Surat, a bustling port city on the western coast of India, was a major hub for commerce, attracting traders from various parts of the world.

Captain Hawkins carried a letter from King James I of England to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, seeking permission to trade and establish a factory in Surat. Upon arrival, Hawkins and his crew faced initial resistance from Portuguese traders who were already established in the region and saw the English as rivals. Despite these challenges, Hawkins was eventually granted an audience with Emperor Jahangir at his court in Agra. However, the negotiations were complex and drawn out, with the Mughal emperor not immediately granting the desired trading privileges.

While the first mission did not yield immediate success in establishing a strong English presence, it laid the groundwork for future ventures. Over the following decades, the East India Company gradually expanded its influence in India, securing trading rights, establishing factories, and eventually playing a central role in the colonization of the Indian subcontinent. The arrival of Hector at Surat marked the beginning of a new chapter in Indian history, one that would lead to profound changes in the region’s political and economic landscape.

 

24 August - The Burning of Washington

 

The Burning of Washington refers to the events that took place during the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. In August 1814, British forces captured and set fire to Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States at that time.

On August 24, 1814, British troops led by Major General Robert Ross entered Washington, D.C., after defeating American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg. The British troops subsequently advanced to the city and set fire to several government buildings, including the White House (then known as the Presidential Mansion), the Capitol, and other structures.

The burning of Washington was a significant event during the War of 1812, which was fought between the United States and Great Britain. The war had various causes, including maritime disputes, trade restrictions, and impressment of American sailors into the British navy. The burning of the capital was a major symbolic blow to the United States and marked a low point in the conflict.

The war eventually ended in 1815 with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, restoring the status quo ante bellum (the state of affairs before the war). The burning of Washington and the broader events of the War of 1812 had lasting impacts on U.S.-British relations and the development of American national identity.

24 August - The Royal Geographical Society was established in 1830

 

The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) was established on August 24, 1830, in London, England. Its founding members included Sir John Barrow, Sir John Franklin, Sir George Back, and others with an interest in advancing the geographical sciences. The primary aim of the Royal Geographical Society was to promote the advancement of geographical knowledge, exploration, and research.

Over the years, the society has played a crucial role in supporting and sponsoring expeditions, funding research projects, and disseminating geographical information. It has been influential in fostering a better understanding of the world's geography, cultures, and environments.

The Royal Geographical Society has been involved in a wide range of activities, including publishing geographical journals, organizing lectures and conferences, and maintaining a library and archives. It has also awarded prestigious medals, such as the Patron's Medal and the Founder's Medal, to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of geography.

The society's headquarters is located in Kensington, London, and it has played a central role in the global geographic community. Over the years, it has contributed to the exploration and understanding of various regions around the world and has been a key institution in the promotion of geographical education and research.

 

24 August - The printing work of the Gutenberg Bible was completed

 

On August 24 , 1456, the printing of the famous Gutenberg Bible was completed.The Gutenberg Bible was the first major book printed with movable type in the West, applying the newly developed technology by Johannes Gutenberg. Widely praised for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities, the book has an iconic status.

The Gutenberg Bible was printed by Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor and printer, in Mainz, Germany. It was one of the earliest major books printed using movable metal type in Europe. The printing press Gutenberg developed allowed for the efficient reproduction of texts, revolutionizing the way information was disseminated.

The Gutenberg Bible contained the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible and was printed in a large folio format with 42 lines of text per page, hence its alternative name, the 42-line Bible. It is estimated that around 180 copies of the Gutenberg Bible were produced, but only a limited number of complete copies have survived to the present day.

The Gutenberg Bible not only had a profound impact on the spread of knowledge but also played a crucial role in the advancement of literacy and the democratization of information. It laid the foundation for the mass production of books and contributed to the flourishing of Renaissance thought and culture.

The completion of the printing work of the Gutenberg Bible in the mid-15th century heralded a new era in communication, intellectual exchange, and the preservation of human knowledge. It remains a testament to the power of innovation and invention in shaping the course of history.

23 August - The World Wide Web was opened to the public

 

On 23 August 1991, the World Wide Web (WWW) was made publicly accessible for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the history of technology and communication. This milestone allowed people outside the research community to use the web, which would eventually revolutionize how information is shared and accessed globally.

The World Wide Web was developed by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist working at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland. Berners-Lee created the first website and web server, and he also developed the fundamental technologies that make the web possible, including HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators).

Initially, the web was intended to facilitate the sharing of information among scientists at universities and institutes around the world. The first website went live on 06 August 1991, providing an explanation of the World Wide Web and how to use it. However, it was on 23 August 1991, that Berners-Lee made the World Wide Web available to the general public, enabling anyone with internet access to browse and create websites.

This event marked the beginning of a new era in communication, leading to the exponential growth of the internet and the vast, interconnected web of information we use today. The public launch of the World Wide Web transformed the internet from a tool used primarily by researchers and academics into a global platform for information exchange, commerce, entertainment, and social interaction.