14 February - International Book Giving Day

 

International Book Giving Day is celebrated on 14 February each year. It is a volunteer-led initiative that encourages people to share books with children to promote literacy and a love for reading. The main goals of the day include:

• Encouraging people to give books to children, whether new or pre-loved.
• Donating books to local libraries, schools, or organizations that support children's literacy.
• Raising awareness about the importance of making books accessible to all children worldwide.

The day is celebrated globally with book donation drives, storytelling sessions, and reading events. It is a great way to spread the joy of reading and inspire the next generation of book lovers!

14 February - Christopher Latham Sholes birth anniversary

 

Christopher Latham Sholes was an American inventor, newspaper editor, and politician, best known for his development of the QWERTY keyboard, which is still widely used in typewriters and computer keyboards today.

Sholes was born on 14 February 1819, in Mooresburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to his work on the keyboard, he had a varied career that included journalism and politics. He served as the editor of several newspapers and held political offices in Wisconsin.

In the early 1860s, Sholes, along with his colleagues Samuel Soule and Carlos Glidden, developed the first practical typewriter. The machine, known as the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, was manufactured by E. Remington and Sons and was first sold in 1874. It featured the QWERTY keyboard layout, designed to prevent jamming of the typebars in the machine, which was a common problem in early typewriters.

The QWERTY keyboard became the standard for typewriters and later adapted for computer keyboards. Despite the development of alternative keyboard layouts, QWERTY has endured as the most widely used and recognized arrangement of keys on keyboards worldwide. Christopher Latham Sholes died on 17 February 1890, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

14 February - Damodaram Sanjivayya Birth Anniversary

 

Damodaram Sanjivayya was born on July 14, 1921, and he passed away on May 8, 1972. He was an Indian politician and served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Sanjivayya played a significant role in the state's politics and was a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress. His contributions to the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh are remembered and acknowledged.

14 February - Stephen Smith birth anniversary

 

Stephen Hector Taylor-Smith (14 February 1891 – 15 February 1951) often known as Stephen Smith, was a pioneering Indian aerospace engineer who developed techniques in delivering mail by rocket.

Unlike Friedrich Schmiedl, whom the Austrian Authorities banned from further experimenting, Smith was encouraged in his experiments by Indian Officials. In the ten-year span of his experiments (1934–1944), Smith made some 270 launches, including at least 80 rocket mail flights. 

14 February - The Pulwama terror attack 2019

 

The Pulwama terror attack occurred on February 14, 2019, in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. A convoy of Indian paramilitary personnel was targeted in a suicide bombing, resulting in a tragic loss of lives.

A vehicle-borne suicide bomber, affiliated with the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed, rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus carrying Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 40 Indian security personnel and left many others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.

The incident escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, as India accused Pakistan of supporting and harboring the militant group responsible for the attack. In the aftermath, India conducted airstrikes on what it described as terrorist training camps in Pakistani territory, leading to increased hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The Pulwama terror attack had significant geopolitical implications and intensified the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. It also drew international attention and condemnation of terrorism in the region.

 

14 February - John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert Unveil The ENIAC

 

John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert unveiled the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) on February 14, 1946. ENIAC was the world's first general-purpose electronic digital computer. It was a massive machine that occupied a large room and was designed to perform a wide range of computing tasks, including calculations for artillery trajectory tables during World War II.

ENIAC was a groundbreaking achievement in the field of computing, and it marked a significant advancement from earlier electromechanical and punched-card systems. The machine was capable of solving complex numerical problems much faster than previous technologies. The unveiling of ENIAC is considered a milestone in the history of computing and played a crucial role in the development of modern electronic computers.

 

14 February - The Knesset first convened in 1949 in Jerusalem

 

The Knesset, the legislative body of the State of Israel, first convened on February 14, 1949. This inaugural session took place in Jerusalem. The Knesset replaced the Provisional State Council, which had functioned as the interim governing body during the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The Knesset has since been the principal institution for enacting laws, overseeing the government, and representing the Israeli people in the political process.

13 February - International Condom Day

 

International Condom Day is a day dedicated to promoting safe sex and raising awareness about the importance of using condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.

The day serves as an opportunity for educational campaigns, distribution of condoms, and discussions about sexual health. Various organizations, including health agencies, non-profits, and advocacy groups, may organize events, workshops, and initiatives to promote safer sex practices.

The aim of International Condom Day is to encourage open conversations about sexual health, reduce the stigma associated with condom use, and emphasize the role condoms play in preventing the spread of STIs and promoting responsible sexual behavior.

13 February - Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad birth anniversary

 

Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad was born on 13 February 1835, in Qadian, Punjab, British India. He passed away on 26 May 1908, in Lahore, British India (now in Pakistan).He was the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement in Islam. Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, a figure expected by Muslims to appear towards the end times.

The Ahmadiyya movement, which he established in the late 19th century, is known for its distinctive beliefs. The followers of Ahmadiyya consider Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad as a prophet, though this belief is considered controversial and has led to tensions with mainstream Islamic groups, who generally reject the notion of a prophet after Muhammad.

Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad emphasized peaceful propagation of Islam, interfaith dialogue, and service to humanity. The Ahmadiyya community has faced persecution in some countries due to its beliefs, particularly in Pakistan where Ahmadis have been declared non-Muslims by the state.

It's important to note that the views and status of the Ahmadiyya movement are a matter of theological and doctrinal debate within the broader Muslim community. Different sects within Islam hold varying perspectives on the legitimacy and status of the Ahmadiyya movement.

12 February - The Bardoli Satyagraha started in 1928

 

The Bardoli Satyagraha was a significant nonviolent movement led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel against an unjust increase in land revenue by the British government. It began on 12 February 1928 in Bardoli, a taluka in Gujarat.

Background:

• The Bombay Presidency government raised land revenue by 22% despite a severe flood and famine in the region.
• Farmers, unable to pay the increased taxes, sought help from national leaders.
• Vallabhbhai Patel, along with his associates Indulal Yagnik, K.M. Munshi, and others, organized a mass protest.

Course of the Movement:

• Farmers refused to pay the increased tax despite threats of confiscation of land and property.
• The British responded by seizing lands, cattle, and even homes of the farmers.
• The movement gained nationwide support, and people from across India boycotted the auction of confiscated properties.

Outcome:

• The British eventually relented and agreed to roll back the tax hike.
• The movement marked a major victory for nonviolent resistance.
• Vallabhbhai Patel earned the title "Sardar" (Leader) of Bardoli from the local farmers, a name that stayed with him throughout his life.

The Bardoli Satyagraha became a blueprint for future civil disobedience movements and strengthened the independence struggle.