24 January - The Constituent Assembly of India adopts Vande Mataram as the National Song of India

 

Vande Mataram is a poem written in Sanskrit and Sanskritised Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s. The first two verses of the poem were adopted as the National Song of India in October 1937 by the Congress.

The poem was first published in 1882 as part of Chatterjee's Bengali novel Anandmath.It is an ode to the motherland, personified as the "mother goddess" in later verses, of the people. This initially referred to Bengal, with the "mother" figure therefore being Banga Mata (Mother Bengal), though the text does not mention this explicitly.Indian nationalist and philosopher Sri Aurobindo referred Vande Mataram as the "national Anthem of Bengal".

Nonetheless, the poem played a vital role in the Indian independence movement. It first gained political significance when it was recited by Rabindranath Tagore at Congress in 1896.By 1905, it had become a popular amongst political activists and freedom fighters as a marching song.The song, as well as Anandmath, were banned under British colonial rule under threat of imprisonment, making its use revolutionary. The ban was ultimately overturned by the Indian government upon independence in 1947.

On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Vande Mataram as the Republic's national song. President of India Rajendra Prasad stated that the song should be honoured equally with the national anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana. While the Constitution of India does not make reference to a "national song", the Government filed an affidavit at the Delhi High Court in November 2022 stating that Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram would “stand on the same level”, and that citizens should show equal respect to both.

The first two verses of the song make abstract reference to the "mother" and "motherland", without any religious connotation. However, later verses mention Hindu goddesses such as Durga.

Unlike the national anthem, there are no rules or decorum to be observed when reciting Vande Mataram

 

24 January - Global Belly Laugh Day

 

On January 24th, Global Belly Laugh Day celebrates the wonderful gift of laughter. It’s also a day to experience the positive effects of smiling and laughing.

Have you ever laughed loudly without restraint? If so, you had what’s called a belly laugh. This type of laugh comes from deep within. The term “belly laugh” was coined in the 1920s. It refers to a moving belly while laughing loudly.

24 January - National Lobster Thermidor Day USA

 

National Lobster Thermidor Day is on January 24, and we’re here to show you how you can celebrate this day in an amazing way. Do you know that the recipe for Lobster Thermidor is 117 years old? It is a French dish of lobster meat cooked in a rich wine sauce, stuffed back into a lobster shell, and browned. The sauce is a mixture of egg yolks and brandy (such as Cognac), served with an oven-browned cheese crust. One of the trademarks of the dish is that it is served in the lobster tails.

 

24 January - Constituent assembly signed the constitution of India.

 

On January 24, 1950, the Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who was the President of the Constituent Assembly, signed the Constitution, marking the official adoption of the Constitution of India. The adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, also declared India as a sovereign democratic republic. Since then, January 26 is celebrated annually as Republic Day in India.

23 January - National Clashing Clothes Day

 

National Clashing Clothes Day is celebrate on the fourth Thursday in January every year. On this day, people are encouraged to dress in clashing clothing items from head to toe. Anything that is in a neutral color like white, black, or gray is a no-go today! Navy and brown also match with most colors, and therefore they aren’t welcome on Clashing Clothes Day! Today is merely a day to have fun with your outfit and show up in the brightest, silliest of hues, without the fashion police raining on your parade. Mix colors, prints, and textures, and you’ll be clash-tastic in no time.

23 January - Shahaji Bhonsle death anniversary

 

Shahaji Bhonsle, commonly known as Shahaji Raje, was a prominent Maratha warrior and military leader in the 17th century. He played a crucial role in the early years of the Maratha Empire and was the father of the renowned Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj.

Key points about Shahaji Raje:

1. Birth and Background: Shahaji was born in 18 March 1594 in the Bhonsle family, a Maratha warrior clan. His father, Maloji Bhonsle, served the Deccan Sultanates.

2. Service to Adil Shah: Shahaji initially served the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur, and he held significant positions in the Deccan military.

3. Conflict with the Mughals: Shahaji had conflicts with the Mughals, and he shifted his allegiance to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for a brief period. However, he faced difficulties and ultimately returned to the Adil Shahi service.

4. Family and Children: Shahaji Raje had several wives, and among his notable children were Shivaji Maharaj, who went on to establish the Maratha Empire, and Venkoji (Ekoji), who became the first Maratha ruler of Thanjavur.

5. Role in Establishing Maratha Power: Shahaji's son, Shivaji, played a crucial role in establishing the Maratha Empire. However, Shahaji himself faced challenges, shifting alliances, and political complexities during his lifetime.

6. Later Years: Shahaji spent his later years in southern India, particularly in Karnataka. He passed away in 23 January 1664.

While Shahaji Raje is not as well-known as his son Shivaji, his contributions to the early Maratha state and his role in shaping the destiny of the Maratha people are significant. The legacy of the Bhonsle family, under both Shahaji and Shivaji, played a pivotal role in the history of the Maratha Empire.

 

23 January - The First Philippine Republic Day 1899

 

The First Philippine Republic Day refers to the proclamation of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899. This event occurred during the Philippine-American War, which followed the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898.

Here is a brief overview of the key events leading up to and surrounding the First Philippine Republic:

1. Declaration of Independence (June 12, 1898): On this day, General Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the revolutionary forces, declared the independence of the Philippines from Spanish rule in Kawit, Cavite. The proclamation marked the birth of the First Philippine Republic.

2. Philippine-American War (1899-1902): After the Philippines declared independence, tensions arose between Filipino nationalists and American forces, leading to the Philippine-American War. This conflict began in February 1899.

3. Establishment of the First Philippine Republic (January 23, 1899): Despite ongoing hostilities with American forces, the Malolos Congress convened on January 21, 1899, and drafted the Malolos Constitution. Two days later, on January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was formally inaugurated in Malolos, Bulacan, with Emilio Aguinaldo sworn in as the President.

4. Continued Conflict: The establishment of the republic did not bring an end to the Philippine-American War, which continued until 1902. The conflict resulted in the defeat of Filipino forces, and the Philippines ultimately became an American colony until gaining independence in 1946.

While January 23, 1899, marks the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic, June 12, 1898, is celebrated as the Philippine Independence Day, signifying the declaration of independence from Spanish rule.

 

23 January - William George Morgan birth anniversary

 

William George Morgan (23 January 1870 – 27 December 1942) was an American physical education instructor who is credited with the invention of the sport of volleyball. Morgan was born in Lockport, New York, and he developed volleyball in 1895 as a recreational activity that could be played indoors to provide a less strenuous alternative to basketball.

Originally called "Mintonette," Morgan's new game involved a net and was designed to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball. The name "volleyball" was later adopted to better describe the nature of the game, as players volleyed a ball back and forth over a net. The first official game of volleyball was played at the International YMCA Training School in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where Morgan worked.

Volleyball quickly gained popularity and evolved into a widely played and organized sport around the world. Morgan's creation has become one of the most popular sports globally, played both recreationally and competitively. He left a lasting impact on the world of sports through the invention of volleyball.

 

23 January - Yogiji Maharaj death anniversary

 

Yogiji Maharaj (23 May 1892 – 23 January 1971), born Jina Vasani, was a Hindu swami and the fourth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan in the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS),a major branch of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. According to the metaphysics of BAPS, Yogiji Maharaj is considered to be the next iteration of Akshar after Shastriji Maharaj in the guru parampara, an unbroken line of "perfect devotees" who provide "authentication of office through Gunatitanand Swami and back to Swaminarayan himself." Together with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who acted as the administrative head of BAPS, he was instrumental in nurturing the growth of BAPS "through new programs, expansion into new areas, and the construction of temples".As guru, he consecrated over 60 temples and visited over 4000 towns and villages. He was particularly effective in attracting the devotion of youths and initiated a large number of them as ascetics.Furthermore, his multiple tours to Britain and East Africa were integral in the overseas expansion of BAPS. He died on 23 January 1971 after appointing Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his successor. 

23 January - National King Day

 

National King Day takes place on January 23. The name King is predominantly a male American name meaning ‘ruler.’ In a variety of contexts, a male ruler is referred to as a king. In religion, the word ‘king’ is significant. A prominent legend says that monarchs must die in order to ensure the welfare of their subjects. It’s documented in Sir James Frazer’s “Golden Bough,” which offers numerous examples of beliefs that a king “must be murdered as soon as his abilities begin to weaken.”