15 July -Hassanal Bolkiah birthday

Hassanal Bolkiah is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei. He has been in power since 1967, and he is one of the world's longest-serving monarchs. 

• He is also the world's richest monarch, with an estimated net worth of over $28 billion.
• Bolkiah was born in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on July 15, 1946. He is the eldest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit.
• He was educated at the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England.
• Bolkiah was appointed Crown Prince in 1961, and he succeeded to the throne upon his father's abdication in 1967.
• He is the Prime Minister of Brunei, and he holds the portfolios of Minister of Defense, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Bolkiah is a devout Muslim, and he has been a strong supporter of Islamic causes. He has also been a vocal critic of terrorism.
• Bolkiah is a controversial figure. He has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle and his authoritarian rule. However, he is also popular among many Bruneians, who see him as a symbol of stability and prosperity.

Here are some other interesting facts about Hassanal Bolkiah:

• He owns a fleet of over 7,000 cars, including a Rolls-Royce Phantom that is encrusted with diamonds.
• He has a private zoo that is home to over 2,000 animals, including lions, tigers, and elephants.
• He is a keen golfer, and he has a private golf course in Brunei.
• He is also a talented musician, and he plays the piano and the guitar.

Hassanal Bolkiah is a complex and fascinating figure. He is a man of great wealth and power, but he is also a devout Muslim and a strong supporter of Islamic causes. He is a controversial figure, but he is also popular among many Bruneians. Only time will tell what his legacy will be.

 

 

15 July - the first postage stamps of the British colony of New Brunswick were issued in 1859

 

On July 15, 1859, the first postage stamps of the British colony of New Brunswick were issued. The stamps were part of the "Woodblock Issue" and marked the introduction of adhesive postage stamps in the province.

The stamps were designed and printed by the American Bank Note Company. They featured a rectangular design with a portrait of Queen Victoria in the center. The stamps were denominated with various values, including 5 cents, 10 cents, and 17 cents, to represent the different postal rates at the time.

The issuance of these stamps was a significant step in the development of the postal system in New Brunswick. The introduction of adhesive postage stamps made it easier and more convenient for individuals to prepay postage when sending mail.

Today, the early stamps of New Brunswick are highly sought after by collectors and are considered important pieces of philatelic history. They represent the beginnings of postage stamp usage in the province and are valued for their historical and aesthetic significance.

 

15 July - La Marseillesi' was declared the national anthem of France 1795

 

 

 

"La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of the French Republic. The song was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria, and was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin"("War Song for the Army of the Rhine").

The French National Convention adopted it as the Republic's anthem in 1795. The song acquired its nickname after being sung in Paris by volunteers from Marseille marching to the capital. The song is the first example of the "European march" anthemic style. The anthem's evocative melody and lyrics have led to its widespread use as a song of revolution and its incorporation into many pieces of classical and popular music.

 

15 July - Boeing largest aerospace company, started in 1916

 

Boeing was founded by William Boeing in Seattle, Washington, on July 15, 1916 

The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide.The company also provides leasing and product support services. Boeing is among the largest global aerospace manufacturers; it is the third-largest defense contractor in the world based on 2020 revenue,and is the largest exporter in the United States by dollar value.Boeing's stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

15 July - Anton Chekhov death anniversary

 

Anton Chekhov (29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer who lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is considered one of the greatest playwrights in the history of Western drama, and his plays are still widely performed today. He is also considered a master of the short story form.

Chekhov was born on 29 January 1860  in Taganrog, Russia, the third of six children. His father was a grocer and his mother was a former serf. Despite his humble origins, Chekhov was able to attend school and received a good education. He studied medicine at Moscow University but did not finish his degree.

In 1884, Chekhov began writing for various newspapers and magazines, and soon became a popular and respected writer. In 1888, he published his first collection of short stories, and by the 1890s, he had established himself as one of the most prominent writers in Russia.

In addition to his writing, Chekhov was also a practicing physician and would often travel to remote areas of Russia to provide medical care to the poor. He believed that his medical background helped him to better understand human suffering, which is reflected in his writing.

Chekhov’s most famous plays include The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, and The Three Sisters. These plays are known for their subtlety, psychological complexity, and lack of clear-cut resolutions. They are considered masterpieces of the modern theater.

 

Chekhov’s health began to decline around the turn of the century and he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Despite his illness, he continued to write, and he produced some of his best work during this time. He died on 15 July 1904 at the age of 44.

Chekhov’s plays and stories have been translated into many languages and continue to be performed and read around the world. His work has had a profound influence on modern literature, theater, and film.

15 July - Jamshedji Jijabhai birth anniversary

 

Jamshedji Jijabhai (15 July 1783 – 14 April 1859), a very wealthy charity from his business. Jamshed Ji Jijabhai’s most name is due to his charity. Due to financial constraints, he could not take education. At the young age of 12, he joined the business of selling old bottles with his maternal uncle. A few days later he also got married to my sister. With the death of his parents in 1899, the entire burden of the family came over Jijabhai. He was the first Indian to be honored by Queen Victoria. Jijabai, who was away from communal discrimination, took many steps to improve the condition of women and to remove the evils of Parsi society. Prominent among the institutions established with his financial assistance is – J. J. Hospital, J. J. School of Art, Poona Dam, and Water Institute. He was Bron on 15 July 1783 in Mumbai.

14 July - Chandrayaan-3 launched

 

Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. It consists of Lander and Rover configuration. It will be launched by LVM3 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch of Chandrayaan-3 took place at 14 July 2023, at 2:35 pm IST

Chandrayaan-3 consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM) and a Rover with an objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Inter planetary missions. The Lander will have the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the Rover which will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility. The Lander and the Rover have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface. The main function of PM is to carry the LM from launch vehicle injection till final lunar 100 km circular polar orbit and separate the LM from PM. Apart from this, the Propulsion Module also has one scientific payload as a value addition which will be operated post separation of Lander Module.

 The mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3 are:

•     To demonstrate Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface
•     To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and
•     To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.

For reference we have put a cover of Chadrayaan 2 which was a special postal cover issued by West Bengal Postal Circle on Sep 07, 2019.

The cover bears the title "CHANDRAYAAN-2" in Hindi and English ("Chandrayaan" stands for "lunar spacecraft/vehicle") at the bottom left - "7 September 2019" (the date of the start of the lunar mission of the Indian spacecraft). The cover also includes an image of the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft leaving Earth orbit and heading toward the Moon.

Stars in space can be seen in the background on the cover.

At upper right is a 500 paise (or Rs.5/-) stamp depicting the earth with the moon in the distance. It is from the set of stamps titled Solar System issued by India Post in 2018. The special postmark is inscribed "CHANDRAYAAN 2 MOON MISSION" and shows the spacecraft in the centre. The cancellation date is "07.09.2019" and the postmark is from Kolkata Post Office.

14 July - International Non-Binary People’s Day

 

It is a day dedicated to celebrating and recognizing individuals who identify as non-binary, as well as raising awareness about non-binary identities and the unique experiences of non-binary people.

Non-binary is an umbrella term used to describe gender identities that do not exclusively align with the binary categories of male or female. Non-binary individuals may identify as having a gender that is outside of, between, or beyond the traditional male and female spectrum. They may experience their gender as fluid, genderqueer, agender, bigender, or under various other non-binary identities.

International Non-Binary People's Day serves as an opportunity to promote visibility, understanding, and acceptance of non-binary individuals and their diverse experiences. It encourages conversations about gender diversity and challenges societal norms that limit gender to a binary system.

On this day, various activities and initiatives are organized to support non-binary people. These may include educational workshops, panel discussions, art exhibitions, social media campaigns, and community gatherings. The goal is to foster inclusivity, respect, and equal rights for non-binary individuals within society.

International Non-Binary People's Day contributes to ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and accepting world for people of all gender identities. It acknowledges the importance of recognizing and respecting the diversity of gender experiences and identities beyond the traditional binary framework.

14 July - Bastille Day

 

Bastille Day, known as "Fête nationale" or "le 14 Juillet" in French, is the national day of France. It is celebrated on July 14th each year and commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris, which took place on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution.

The storming of the Bastille was a significant event that symbolized the uprising of the French people against the monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a fortress and a symbol of royal authority and oppression. Its fall represented the people's demand for freedom, equality, and democracy.

Bastille Day is celebrated throughout France with various events and festivities. The highlight of the celebrations is a large military parade held on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, which showcases the French Armed Forces and honors their contributions to the nation.

In addition to the military parade, there are public gatherings, concerts, fireworks, and parties held across the country. Many people attend street parties, enjoy picnics, and participate in cultural and sporting events. The French tricolor flag, consisting of blue, white, and red, is prominently displayed throughout the celebrations.

Bastille Day is not only a celebration of the French Revolution but also a reflection of the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity that became the foundation of modern France. It is a day when the French people come together to commemorate their history, values, and national identity.

 

14 July - Madan Mohan death anniversary

 

Madan Mohan (1924-1975) was a renowned Indian film music composer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest music directors in the history of Indian cinema, particularly known for his work in the Hindi film industry, commonly known as Bollywood.

Madan Mohan's career spanned from the 1950s to the 1970s, during which he composed music for numerous Hindi films. He was known for his ability to create soulful and melodious compositions, often characterized by beautiful and heartfelt melodies.

His collaborations with legendary lyricist Rajendra Krishan and singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Talat Mahmood resulted in some of the most memorable songs in Indian film music. Madan Mohan's music often evoked a sense of emotion and captured the nuances of human relationships and sentiments.

Some of his notable film scores include movies like "Woh Kaun Thi?" (1964), "Haqeeqat" (1964), "Mera Saaya" (1966), "Laila Majnu" (1976), and many others. His compositions were appreciated for their depth, versatility, and ability to enhance the storytelling in films.

Despite his immense talent and contribution to film music, Madan Mohan didn't receive as much commercial success during his lifetime as some of his contemporaries. However, his work has gained greater recognition and appreciation over the years, and he is now considered a legendary figure in Indian film music.

Madan Mohan's compositions continue to be cherished by music enthusiasts, and his songs are often remembered for their timeless appeal. His legacy lives on through the soul-stirring melodies he created during his career.He died on 14 July 1975.