21 August - World Senior Citizens Day

 

World Senior Citizens Day is observed on August 21st each year. This day is dedicated to honoring and appreciating the contributions of older adults to society and recognizing the challenges and issues they may face. It's a time to highlight the importance of providing support, care, and respect to senior citizens and to raise awareness about their rights, well-being, and quality of life.

World Senior Citizens Day serves as a reminder to show gratitude to older individuals for their wisdom, experience, and the positive impact they have on families, communities, and societies as a whole. It's an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and promote inclusivity and respect for people of all ages.

21 August - Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar death anniversary

 

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (19 October 1910 – 21 August 1995) was an Indian-American astrophysicist who spent his professional life in the United States. He was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize for Physics with William A. Fowler for "...theoretical studies of the physical processes of importance to the structure and evolution of the stars and black holes.The Chandrasekhar limit is named after him.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subrahmanyan_Chandrasekhar

 

21 August - The Pueblo Revolt

 

The Pueblo Revolt, also known as Popé's Rebellion, was a significant uprising of Pueblo Native Americans against Spanish colonial rule in what is now the southwestern United States. Here are more details about this historical event:

Date: The Pueblo Revolt began on August 10, 1680, and culminated on August 21, 1680.

Background: In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Spanish explorers and settlers established colonies in present-day New Mexico. The Spanish imposed their culture, religion (Christianity), and governance on the Pueblo people, which led to tensions and resistance.

Leader: The rebellion was led by a Pueblo religious leader named Popé (also spelled as Po'pay or Po'Pay). He was from San Juan Pueblo and had experienced the negative effects of Spanish rule on Pueblo culture and traditions.

Causes: The Pueblo people faced oppression, forced labor, and the suppression of their traditional religious practices by the Spanish authorities. The imposition of Spanish culture and the suppression of Pueblo cultural elements fueled resentment and anger among the indigenous population.

Revolt: Popé organized a coordinated uprising among various Pueblo communities, uniting them against the Spanish. On August 10, 1680, Pueblo messengers delivered knotted cords, known as "knot records," to signal the time for the rebellion. The Puebloans launched a surprise attack on the Spanish settlements, killing priests, settlers, and soldiers.

Outcome: The Pueblo Revolt was successful in driving the Spanish out of the region. The Pueblo people expelled the Spanish settlers from Santa Fe and other settlements, effectively reclaiming their land and freedom. The revolt resulted in the destruction of churches and symbols of Spanish rule.

Aftermath: The Pueblo Revolt had a lasting impact. The Spanish eventually returned to the region in 1692 and regained control of New Mexico, but they adopted a more tolerant approach to Pueblo culture and traditions. The Spanish recognized the importance of allowing greater religious and cultural autonomy for the Pueblo people.

Legacy: The Pueblo Revolt remains a significant event in Native American and colonial history. It is often seen as a successful indigenous resistance movement against colonial oppression and cultural assimilation.

The Pueblo Revolt stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Pueblo people to defend their way of life and regain control over their ancestral lands.

21 August - Nag Panchami 2023

Naga Panchami is a day of traditional worship of Nagas or snakes observed by Hindus throughout India, Nepal, and other countries where Hindu adherents live.The worship is offered on the fifth day of bright half of lunar month of Shravana (July/August), according to the Hindu calendar. Some Indian states, such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, celebrate Naga Panchami on the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the same month.As part of the festivities, a Naga or serpent deity made of silver, stone, wood, or a painting of snakes is given a reverential bath with milk and their blessings are sought for the welfare of the family.Live snakes, especially cobras, are also worshipped on this day, especially with offerings of milk and generally with the assistance of a snake charmer.

In the Mahabharata epic, the sage Astika's quest to stop the sacrifice of serpents (Sarpa Satra) of King Janamejaya, is well known, as it was during this sacrifice that the Mahabharata as a whole was first narrated by the sage, Vaisampayana.This yagna sacrifice was performed by Janamejaya to decimate the race of Nagas through killing every snake in existence to avenge the death of his father Parikshita due to the deadly bite of Takshaka, the king of the snakes. The day that the sacrifice was stopped, due to the intervention of the Astika, was on the Shukla Paksha Panchami day in the month of Shravana. That day has since been observed as Naga Panchami.

Worship:

On day of Naga Panchami, Nagas, cobras, and snakes are worshipped with milk, sweets, flowers, lamps, and even sacrifices. Naga or serpent deities made of silver, stone, wood, or paintings on the wall are first bathed with water and milk and then worshipped with the reciting of the following mantras

Devnagri :

नाग प्रीता भवन्ति शान्तिमाप्नोति बिअ विबोह्
सशन्ति लोक मा साध्य मोदते सस्थित समः

English:

Naga preeta bhavanti shantimapnoti via viboh
Sashanti lok ma sadhya modate shashttih samh

Translation:


Let all be blessed by the snake goddess, let everyone obtain peaceLet all live peacefully without any turbulence. 

20 August - National Radio Day USA

 

National Radio Day in the United States is celebrated on August 20th each year. This day is dedicated to recognizing the significance of radio as a communication medium and its contributions to entertainment, information, and culture. It's a day to appreciate the impact that radio has had on people's lives and to honor the individuals who work in the radio industry. Whether it's music, news, talk shows, or podcasts, radio continues to play a vital role in broadcasting content to a wide audience.

20 August - Voyager 2 is a space probe launched by NASA in 1977

 

Voyager 2 is a space probe launched by NASA on August 20, 1977, as part of the Voyager program. It is one of the two Voyager spacecraft, the other being Voyager 1, and both were designed to study the outer planets of our solar system and then continue into interstellar space to explore the region beyond the influence of the Sun.

Voyager 2's primary mission was to study Jupiter and Saturn. It conducted a flyby of Jupiter in July 1979, providing detailed images and data about the planet's atmosphere, moons, and magnetic field. It then continued its journey and reached Saturn in August 1981, capturing remarkable images of Saturn's rings, moons, and magnetosphere.

After completing its encounters with Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 2's mission was extended to include flybys of Uranus and Neptune. It made a historic flyby of Uranus in January 1986, providing the first close-up images and data of the planet and its moons. In August 1989, Voyager 2 conducted a flyby of Neptune, becoming the first spacecraft to visit the planet. It revealed new information about Neptune's atmosphere, rings, and moons.

After its encounters with the outer planets, Voyager 2 continued its journey into interstellar space, carrying a golden record with messages and sounds from Earth in case it's ever encountered by extraterrestrial beings.

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Voyager 2 is still operational and communicating with Earth, sending valuable data about its surroundings in interstellar space.

 

20 August - World Mosquito Day

 

World Mosquito Day is observed on August 20th every year. It commemorates the discovery made by Sir Ronald Ross on this day in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. This discovery was a crucial step in understanding the transmission of malaria, a deadly disease that has affected millions of people around the world.

The day is not only a reminder of the importance of mosquito-borne diseases and their impact on global health but also an opportunity to raise awareness about methods to control and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and others, which pose significant public health challenges in many parts of the world.

Efforts to combat these diseases often involve strategies such as mosquito control measures, public education on preventing mosquito bites, and research into new treatments and vaccines. World Mosquito Day serves as a platform to highlight these efforts and emphasize the need for continued research and action to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide.

20 August - Sadbhavna Diwas

 

Sadbhavana Diwas, also known as Harmony Day, is observed in India on August 20th every year. This day is dedicated to promoting communal harmony, peace, and goodwill among the people of the country. The observance of Sadbhavana Diwas aims to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, who was known for his efforts to promote unity and harmony among different communities.

During Sadbhavana Diwas, various events, programs, and activities are organized to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to come together, understand each other's perspectives, and foster a sense of unity. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of tolerance, understanding, and working together to create a harmonious and inclusive society.

Rajiv Gandhi's vision of a nation where people from all walks of life could coexist peacefully is the driving force behind the observance of Sadbhavana Diwas, and it encourages citizens to uphold the values of unity and harmony in their interactions and endeavors.

 

20 August - World Water Week

 

World Water Week is an annual event organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) that focuses on global water-related issues. This event gathers experts, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders from around the world to discuss and address the challenges related to water resources, water management, and sustainable development.

World Water Week is typically held in late August or early September each year in Stockholm, Sweden. During the week-long event, participants engage in discussions, workshops, seminars, and presentations on a wide range of water-related topics, including water scarcity, water quality, sanitation, climate change impacts on water resources, water governance, and more.

The event provides a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to water management and sustainability. It aims to raise awareness, facilitate collaboration, and promote innovative solutions to the complex water challenges faced by societies globally.

Each year, World Water Week focuses on a specific theme that reflects the most pressing issues in water management and sustainability. The event plays a crucial role in shaping international dialogue, policies, and actions concerning water resources, making it an important platform for addressing the world's water-related concerns.

 

20 August - B. K. S. Iyengar death anniversary

 

B.K.S. Iyengar: Master of Yoga

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, fondly known as B.K.S. Iyengar, was born on 14 December 1918 and peacefully left this world on 20 August   2014. He was a pioneering figure in the field of yoga, renowned for his profound understanding of the practice and his exceptional ability to convey its essence to people around the globe.

Hailing from a modest background in Bellur, India, Iyengar's introduction to yoga came at an early age, and he quickly embraced its transformative power. His dedication and relentless pursuit of yogic knowledge led him to develop the unique style of yoga that bears his name: Iyengar Yoga. This method emphasizes precision, alignment, and the use of props to make yoga accessible to practitioners of all ages and abilities.

Iyengar's teachings extended far beyond physical postures. He believed that yoga was a holistic practice that united the body, mind, and spirit. His emphasis on the therapeutic aspects of yoga helped countless individuals find relief from various physical ailments and mental stresses.

His groundbreaking book "Light on Yoga," published in 1966, became a seminal work in the world of yoga literature. It not only detailed the asanas (postures) but also delved into the philosophy and philosophy behind yoga, guiding practitioners on a comprehensive journey of self-discovery.

B.K.S. Iyengar's impact on the global yoga community was profound. His teachings attracted students and enthusiasts from all corners of the world, and his innovative approach to yoga paved the way for the widespread popularity of the practice outside of India.

Iyengar's teachings were marked by his unwavering dedication to discipline, self-exploration, and the pursuit of excellence. His birth on December 14, 1918, marked the beginning of a life devoted to yoga, and his passing on August 20, 2014, left behind a legacy that continues to shape the way yoga is practiced and understood today.

In essence, B.K.S. Iyengar's journey through life epitomized the transformative power of yoga. His birth and death dates encapsulate a life that was dedicated to spreading the light of yoga to the world, illuminating paths to well-being, self-awareness, and inner harmony.