09 July - Palau Constitution Day

 

Palau Constitution Day is observed annually on July 9. On this day, most public events occur in the capital of Ngerulmud and the city of Koror, with citizens taking the day off from work to spend time with their loved ones. The national holiday celebrates Palau culture and history, marking its journey to independence from the U.S. through popular referendums. In 1981, Palau opted not to join the rest of Micronesia and adopted its own constitution, which is modeled after the American constitution, outlining its relationship with the U.S. through free association.

09 July - The first Wimbledon tennis tournament was held in 1877

 

The first Wimbledon tennis tournament was held in 1877. It took place at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, which is now known as the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) and is located in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom.

The tournament was organized by the club's committee, and it was initially called the "Gentlemen's Singles Championship." It was the first official lawn tennis championship in the world. The competition was open only to male players, and it attracted a field of 22 participants.

The inaugural Wimbledon tournament began on 9 July 1877 and lasted for three days. The final was played on 19 July 1877, and it featured Spencer Gore, an English tennis player, against William Marshall, another English player. Spencer Gore emerged as the champion, winning the first Wimbledon title in straight sets.

The success and popularity of the first Wimbledon tournament led to the establishment of an annual event that has continued to this day. Over the years, Wimbledon has grown into one of the most prestigious and celebrated tennis tournaments in the world, known for its grass courts, traditional white attire, and strict etiquette. It has witnessed numerous iconic moments in tennis history and has become a significant event in the global sporting calendar.

 

09 July - Argentina Independence Day

 

Argentina Independence Day, also known as Día de la Independencia, is celebrated on July 9th each year. It commemorates the day when the Argentine Declaration of Independence was officially adopted in 1816, marking Argentina's independence from Spanish colonial rule.

The Argentine War of Independence, which began in 1810, was a long and arduous struggle for independence against Spanish rule. The Congress of Tucumán, a meeting of delegates from various provinces of Argentina, gathered in Tucumán on July 9, 1816, to declare Argentina's independence. The declaration asserted the sovereignty of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata (the precursor to modern-day Argentina) and formally separated Argentina from Spanish rule.

Independence Day in Argentina is a national holiday and is celebrated throughout the country with various events and festivities. The main celebration takes place in the capital city of Buenos Aires, where a military parade is held along Avenida de Mayo, and the President of Argentina addresses the nation. People also celebrate with traditional music, dancing, food, and fireworks.

Independence Day is an important day in Argentine history, symbolizing the country's struggle for freedom and self-governance. It is a time for Argentines to reflect on their national identity and pride and honor the individuals who played a significant role in achieving independence.

09 July - Constitution Day Australia

 

The Constitution of Australia (or Australian Constitution) is a constitutional document that is supreme law in Australia. It establishes Australia as a federation under a constitutional monarchy and outlines the structure and powers of the Australian government's three constituent parts, the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

The constitution was drafted between 1891 and 1898 through a series of conventions conducted by representatives of the six self-governing British colonies in Australia. The final draft was then approved in a set of referendums from 1898 to 1900. The British government objected to some elements of the final draft, but a slightly modified form was enacted as section 9 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The act was given royal assent on 9 July 1900,

09 July - Argentina Independence Day

 

The Argentina Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 9. This date originates in commemoration of the signing of the Argentine Declaration of Independence, on Tuesday July 9, 1816, in the house of Francisca Bazán de Laguna. In 1941, the building was declared a National heritage site. The decision to become independent was taken by the Congress of Tucumán, which chose the city of San Miguel de Tucumán from the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, which proclaimed the political independence of the country from the Spanish Monarchy and also renounced all foreign domination.

Throughout time, several places, streets, ships, bonds and companies took the name of "9 de Julio" in honour of the national date, such is the case of the July 9 Avenue in the city of Buenos Aires, July 9 in the city of Resistencia and July 9 in the city of Formosa, two cruisers of the Argentine Navy, the football team Club Atlético 9 de Julio in the city of Rafaela or the town of Nueve de Julio in the province of Buenos Aires, town of July 9 Corrientes, among others.

08 July - Vasco da Gama set sail on his first voyage in 1497

 

On 8 July 1497, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama set sail on his first voyage, which would eventually lead to the discovery of a sea route from Europe to India. Da Gama's expedition was commissioned by the Portuguese king, Manuel I, with the objective of finding a direct maritime route to India, bypassing the overland routes controlled by the Ottoman Empire.

Da Gama commanded a fleet of four vessels, including his flagship, the São Gabriel, along with the São Rafael, the Berrio, and a supply ship. The crew consisted of about 170 men, including sailors, soldiers, and interpreters. They departed from Lisbon, Portugal, and embarked on a perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, along the western coast of Africa.

The voyage was fraught with numerous challenges, including treacherous weather, unfamiliar territories, and scarcity of supplies. The crew faced sickness, hunger, and the loss of lives during the voyage. Nevertheless, da Gama's determination and navigational skills allowed him to overcome these obstacles.

After navigating along the African coast, Vasco da Gama reached the southern tip of Africa, which he named the Cape of Good Hope. From there, he continued eastward, crossing the Indian Ocean. On 20 May 1498, after several months at sea, da Gama's expedition finally made landfall at the port of Calicut (now Kozhikode) on the southwestern coast of India.

This significant achievement established the first direct sea route from Europe to India, opening up lucrative trade opportunities and solidifying Portugal's position as a major maritime power. Da Gama's successful voyage paved the way for subsequent Portuguese expeditions and the establishment of Portuguese colonies and trading posts throughout the Indian Ocean, shaping the course of history in the Age of Exploration

08 July - Igor Tamm birth anniversary

 

Igor Tamm, also known as Igor Yevgenyevich Tamm, was a prominent Soviet physicist who made significant contributions to various fields of theoretical physics. Here are some key details about him:

• Birth and Education: Igor Tamm was born on July 8, 1895, in Vladivostok, Russia. He studied physics at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and later transferred to the University of Moscow in Russia, where he completed his education.

• Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics: Tamm's early research focused on quantum mechanics and the behavior of electrons in solids. He made important contributions to the understanding of electron energy levels and the behavior of electrons in magnetic fields. His work helped lay the foundation for the development of solid-state physics.

• Nuclear Physics and the "Tamm-Dancoff Approximation": During the 1930s, Tamm made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics. He introduced a mathematical approximation known as the "Tamm-Dancoff approximation" to simplify calculations in nuclear physics and quantum field theory. This approximation technique has been widely used in many areas of physics.

• Quantum Electrodynamics (QED): Tamm also made contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, which is the quantum field theory describing the interaction between light and matter. He collaborated with fellow physicists Ilya Frank and Lev Landau to formulate the concept of "secondary quantization" in QED, which became an important technique in the field.

• Nobel Prize: In 1958, Tamm was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, jointly with Ilya Frank and Pavel Cherenkov, for their discovery and interpretation of the Cherenkov effect. The Cherenkov effect refers to the emission of light when a charged particle moves through a medium at a speed greater than the phase velocity of light in that medium.

• Academic and Scientific Contributions: Tamm held several academic and scientific positions throughout his career. He worked at the Physico-Technical Institute in Kharkov, Ukraine, and later at the Institute for Physical Problems in Moscow. He mentored and influenced many young physicists in the Soviet Union.

• Death: Igor Tamm passed away on April 12, 1971, in Moscow, Russia, at the age of 75.

Igor Tamm's contributions to quantum mechanics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and quantum electrodynamics have had a lasting impact on the field of theoretical physics. His work, along with his collaborations and mentoring, played a significant role in advancing scientific knowledge and the education of future generations of physicists in the Soviet Union and beyond.

08 July - Pyotr Kapitsa birth anniversary

 

Pyotr Kapitsa, also known as Pyotr Leonidovich Kapitsa, was a prominent Russian physicist and Nobel laureate. Here are some key details about him:

• Birth: Pyotr Kapitsa was born on July 8, 1894, in Kronstadt, Russia.

• Education and Career: Kapitsa studied at the Petrograd Polytechnical Institute and later at the University of Cambridge in England. He specialized in low-temperature physics and made significant contributions to the field. He conducted research at various institutions, including the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge.

• Superfluidity: Kapitsa's most notable achievement was his discovery and study of superfluidity, a unique state of matter that exhibits zero viscosity and flows without any resistance. In 1937, he made groundbreaking observations on the phenomenon of superfluidity in liquid helium. This work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1978, which he shared with Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson.

• Contributions to Cryogenics: Kapitsa made important contributions to the field of cryogenics, the study of extremely low temperatures. He developed innovative refrigeration methods and improved techniques for liquefying gases, including the production of liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, and liquid helium.

• Academic and Scientific Leadership: Kapitsa held various academic and scientific positions throughout his career. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1929 and was later appointed as the Director of the Mond Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. He also played a significant role in establishing the Institute of Physical Problems in Moscow, where he conducted research and mentored young scientists.

• Legacy: Pyotr Kapitsa's work in low-temperature physics and superfluidity paved the way for advancements in the field. His discoveries and inventions in cryogenics and refrigeration techniques have had significant applications in scientific research, industry, and technology.

• Death: Pyotr Kapitsa passed away on April 8, 1984, in Moscow, Russia, at the age of 89.

Pyotr Kapitsa's contributions to physics and his pioneering work in superfluidity continue to have a lasting impact on scientific understanding and technological advancements in low-temperature research.

 

08 July - Christiaan Huygens death anniversary

 

Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695) was a Dutch scientist, mathematician, astronomer, and inventor who made significant contributions to several fields of study during the 17th century. He is best known for his work in the areas of optics, mechanics, and astronomy. Here are some key aspects of Huygens' contributions:

1. Wave Theory of Light: Huygens proposed the wave theory of light, which suggested that light is composed of waves that propagate through a medium. His theory provided a foundation for understanding light and its behavior, including principles like refraction and reflection.

2. Huygens' Principle: Huygens formulated a principle known as Huygens' principle, which describes the propagation of waves. According to this principle, every point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary spherical wavelets, which combine to form a new wavefront.

3. Discoveries in Optics: Huygens made important discoveries in the field of optics. He developed the first accurate theory of double refraction in crystals and proposed the concept of polarized light. Huygens also invented the pendulum clock, which greatly improved timekeeping accuracy.

4. Saturn's Rings: Huygens was the first to observe and describe Saturn's rings. In 1655, he used his improved telescope to discover that Saturn had a thin, flat ring system surrounding it. He correctly deduced that the rings were not solid, but composed of smaller individual particles.

5. Contributions to Astronomy: Huygens made numerous contributions to astronomy. He discovered Saturn's moon Titan, made observations of Mars, Jupiter, and other celestial bodies, and formulated theories on the nature of comets.

6. Pendulum Physics: Huygens made important contributions to the understanding of pendulum motion. He derived the mathematical formula for the period of a pendulum, which remains known as "Huygens' law." This work led to advances in timekeeping and the development of precise clocks.

7. Invention of the Microscope: Huygens is credited with developing the first practical compound microscope. He improved the design by using multiple lenses to achieve higher magnification and resolution, leading to significant advancements in microscopy.

Christiaan Huygens was a prolific scientist whose work laid the foundation for future advancements in various scientific fields. His contributions to optics, mechanics, astronomy, and timekeeping have had a lasting impact on the scientific community. Christiaan Huygens passed away on July 8, 1695.

 

08 July - The Wall Street Journal began publication in 1889

 

The Wall Street Journal, an American newspaper, began publication on July 8, 1889. It was founded by Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser, and it quickly established itself as a prominent financial publication. Initially, it was a four-page newspaper focused on business and finance news.

Over the years, The Wall Street Journal expanded its coverage to include a wide range of topics such as politics, international affairs, technology, and lifestyle. It gained a reputation for its in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and insightful analysis of financial markets and business trends.

The Wall Street Journal has become one of the most influential and widely read newspapers in the United States. It is known for its conservative editorial stance and has won numerous Pulitzer Prizes for its journalism. The newspaper is published in both print and digital formats, and it has a significant global readership.

In addition to its daily newspaper, The Wall Street Journal offers a variety of digital products and services, including online subscriptions, mobile apps, and specialized newsletters. It continues to be a trusted source of news and information for business professionals, investors, and general readers interested in current affairs and the world of finance.