17 December - Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya death anniversary

 

Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya (24 November 1880 – 17 December 1959) was an Indian freedom fighter and politician. He is best known for his role in the Indian independence movement and his contributions to the development of the Indian National Congress.

Sitaramayya was born on 24 November 1880 in Gundugolanu, Andhra Pradesh, India. He pursued his education in law and joined the Indian National Congress during the early stages of the freedom struggle. He actively participated in various movements and played a crucial role in mobilizing public support for the cause of independence.

One of his significant contributions was during the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Sitaramayya was also associated with the Swaraj Party, formed by leaders like Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das.

In the political sphere, Sitaramayya served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1948. His presidential tenure is notable for being a transitional period in the history of the Congress Party, as it marked the first session after India gained independence.

Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya passed away on 17 December 1959. His contributions to the independence movement and his role in Indian politics are remembered with respect.

 

17 December - Lala Amarnath scores a century in his Test Cricket debut.

 

Lala Amarnath, the Indian cricketer, he scores a century in his Test debut. His debut Test match was against England, and it took place at Bombay (now Mumbai) on 17 December 1933. In that match, Lala Amarnath made an impressive debut by scoring 118 runs. This century marked a notable beginning to his Test cricket career.

Lala Amarnath went on to become one of India's prominent cricketers of his time and played a significant role in the early development of Indian cricket. His contribution to the sport extended beyond his playing career, as he later became a respected cricket administrator.

17 December - Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru were involved in the killing of British police officer

 

Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru were involved in the killing of British police officer James A. Scott, not James Saunders. On December 17, 1928, in Lahore, India, these revolutionaries targeted James A. Scott, who was mistakenly identified as James A. Saunders.

Bhagat Singh and his associates were part of the Indian independence movement and engaged in various acts of protest and resistance against British colonial rule. The killing of James A. Scott was carried out in retaliation for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, who had died from injuries sustained during a baton charge by the police. The plan had been to target James A. Scott, who was believed to be responsible for ordering the lathi charge on Lala Lajpat Rai. However, they ended up killing James A. Saunders by mistake.

The incident played a significant role in the events leading up to the more widely known Lahore Conspiracy Case, in which Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru were eventually tried and sentenced to death for their involvement in the killing of J.P. Saunders.

 

17 December - Wright Brothers Day

 

 

 

Wright Brothers Day (December 17) is a United States national observation. It is codified in the US Code, and commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled airplane, the Wright Flyer, that were made by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.On September 24, 1959, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared December 17 to be Wright Brothers Day.

Wright Brothers Day was announced as an official commemorative day in Ohio, on October 5, 2011, celebrating 100 years of practical flight for the Wright Brothers. 

17 December - Pope Francis birthday

 

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the 266th and current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Elected on March 13, 2013, he is the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas. Known for his humility, compassion, and commitment to social justice, Pope Francis has emphasized issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental stewardship. His papacy has been characterized by a more inclusive and compassionate approach, reaching out to those on the margins of society. Pope Francis has also played a key role in fostering interfaith dialogue and addressing contemporary challenges facing the Church.

17 December - Saint Begga death anniversary

 

Saint Begga, also known as Saint Bega, was a Christian saint and noblewoman who lived in the early medieval period. She is primarily associated with the regions of Belgium and England. Here are some key details about Saint Begga:

1. Family Background: Saint Begga was born into a noble family. She was the daughter of Pepin of Landen, a powerful aristocrat in the Merovingian Frankish kingdom, and Saint Itta, a saintly noblewoman known for her charitable works and founding monastic communities.

2. Religious Devotion: Begga was known for her strong Christian faith and piety. Following the death of her husband, Ansegisel, she chose a life of celibacy and devoted herself to religious pursuits.

3. Founding Monastic Communities: Saint Begga is particularly remembered for her efforts in establishing monastic communities. She founded a convent at Andenne, Belgium, which she governed for many years. This convent became a center of Christian spirituality and education.

4. Commemoration: Saint Begga is venerated as a saint in the Christian tradition, particularly in Belgium and parts of England. Her feast day is celebrated on December 17th.

5. Patronage: Saint Begga is often invoked for assistance with issues related to fertility, as well as protection for women and children.

It's important to note that the details of Saint Begga's life are based on hagiographical accounts, which can sometimes be embellished with legends and myths. Nevertheless, she is recognized as a significant figure in early Christian history, known for her devotion to the faith and her contributions to monastic life.

16 December - Jane Austen birth anniversary

 

Jane Austen was born on 16 December 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England. 

Jane Austen (1775–1817) was an English novelist known for her works of romantic fiction, which are set among the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Her novels often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security. Austen's writing is known for its wit, irony, and keen observation of social manners and relationships.

Some of her most famous works include:

1. "Sense and Sensibility" (1811)
2. "Pride and Prejudice" (1813)
3. "Mansfield Park" (1814)
4. "Emma" (1815)
5. "Northanger Abbey" (1817)
6. "Persuasion" (1817)

Austen's novels are celebrated for their insightful portrayal of the lives and morals of the British landed gentry in the early 19th century. Her characters and stories have continued to captivate readers, and her works have been adapted into numerous films and television series. Despite achieving only modest success during her lifetime, Austen's novels have since gained widespread recognition and are considered classics of English literature.

  She passed away on 18 July 1817, in Winchester, Hampshire, England, at the age of 41.

16 December - The Boston Tea Party

 

The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that took place on the night of December 16, 1773, in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, during the American Revolution. It was a key event leading up to the American Revolutionary War and played a significant role in the broader struggle for colonial independence from British rule.

Key points about the Boston Tea Party:

1. Background:

   • The protest was a response to the Tea Act of 1773, which was enacted by the British Parliament to grant the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies. The act also imposed taxes on tea, leading to increased resentment among the colonists.

2. Taxation Without Representation:

   • One of the primary grievances of the American colonists was the concept of "taxation without representation." They argued that they were being taxed by the British government without having representation in Parliament.

3. The Event:

   • On the night of December 16, 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as Mohawk Indians to conceal their identities, boarded three British ships—Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver—anchored in Boston Harbor. They proceeded to dump 342 chests of British tea into the harbor.

4. Protest Against Taxation:

   • The destruction of the tea was a symbolic act of protest against the Tea Act and the perceived infringement on colonial rights. It was a way for the colonists to express their opposition to what they saw as unjust taxation and economic exploitation.

5. British Response:

   • In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British government enacted a series of punitive measures known as the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) in 1774. These acts were designed to punish Massachusetts for its defiance and tighten British control over the colonies.

6. Escalation to War:

   • The events surrounding the Boston Tea Party and the subsequent British response contributed to the escalation of tensions between the American colonies and the British government. It played a pivotal role in the lead-up to the American Revolutionary War, which officially began in 1775.

The Boston Tea Party is remembered as a symbol of colonial resistance and a significant step in the journey toward American independence. The phrase "no taxation without representation" became a rallying cry for the American colonists as they sought to assert their rights and liberties.

16 December - The Battle of the Bulge

 

The Battle of the Bulge was a significant World War II battle that took place from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. Although it started on December 16, not December 15, I'll provide information on this historical event as it is closely related to the dates surrounding it.

Key points about the Battle of the Bulge:

1. Context:

   • The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. The Allies had already made significant advances, and the Germans hoped to counterattack and disrupt their momentum.

2. German Offensive:

   • The German forces, under the command of Adolf Hitler, launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest, a region in Belgium and Luxembourg. The goal was to split the Allied forces, capture the vital Belgian port city of Antwerp, and force the Allies into a negotiated peace.

3. Initial Success:

   • The Germans initially made significant gains, creating a bulge or salient in the Allied lines, which gave the battle its name. The surprise attack caught the Allies off guard, and the Germans quickly advanced, causing panic and confusion.

4. Harsh Winter Conditions:

   • The Battle of the Bulge took place during one of the coldest European winters on record. The harsh weather conditions affected both sides, with frostbite and exposure adding to the challenges of the conflict.

5. Allied Resistance:

   • Despite the initial successes of the Germans, the Allied forces, particularly the United States, rallied to defend key positions. The resistance and resilience of the Allied troops, along with logistical challenges faced by the Germans, slowed the German advance.

6. Turning Point:

   • As the weather cleared, the Allies were able to gain air superiority, and General George S. Patton's Third Army was able to relieve the besieged town of Bastogne. The turning point marked the beginning of the end for the German offensive.

7. Aftermath:

   • The Battle of the Bulge resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with the Allies ultimately repelling the German offensive. The battle had a significant impact on the course of the war, delaying the end of hostilities in Europe but also hastening the collapse of the German military.

The Battle of the Bulge is remembered as one of the largest and bloodiest battles fought by the United States during World War II and played a crucial role in the eventual Allied victory in Europe.

 

15 December - The United States Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791

 

The United States Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. On this date, Virginia became the eleventh state to ratify the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, thus officially incorporating them into the Constitution. These amendments aimed to safeguard individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government. The Bill of Rights includes fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair and speedy trial. December 15 is now celebrated as Bill of Rights Day in the United States.