21 October - Baburao Pullesur Shedmake death anniversary

 

Baburao Pullesur Shedmake, who passed away on October 21, 1858, was an Indian pro-independence rebel and a Gond chieftain from Central India. He played a significant role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading the revolt in the Chanda district, which is in present-day Maharashtra, India. The rebellion of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence, was a widespread and pivotal event in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Many local leaders, like Baburao Pullesur Shedmake, rose against British authority, seeking to free their regions from British control. Baburao's role in leading the revolt in the Chanda district is a part of this broader history of resistance and rebellion against British rule in India. His actions are remembered as a significant contribution to the struggle for India's independence.

 

21 October - Samuel Taylor Coleridge birth anniversary

 

Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772, in Ottery St Mary, Devon, England, and died on 25 July 1834, in Highgate, London, England. He was the youngest of ten children in his family. Coleridge's early education took place at Christ's Hospital in London, and he later attended Jesus College, Cambridge, although he left without completing a degree.

Coleridge's friendship and collaboration with William Wordsworth significantly influenced his career. Together, they published "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, a collection that marked the beginning of the English Romantic Movement. Coleridge's contributions to this volume, particularly "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," showcased his talent for creating vivid, dream-like narratives.

In addition to his poetry, Coleridge was a prolific essayist and lecturer. His "Biographia Literaria," published in 1817, is a seminal work of literary criticism, blending autobiography, philosophical musings, and literary theory. Coleridge's exploration of imagination and the creative process has had a profound impact on literary studies.

Coleridge struggled with poor health and opium addiction for much of his life, which affected his productivity and personal relationships. Despite these challenges, his contributions to literature and philosophy have left an enduring legacy.

21 October - Alfred Nobel birth anniversary

 

Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist who is best known for inventing dynamite and for establishing the Nobel Prizes. He was born on October 21, 1833, in Stockholm, Sweden, and he passed away on 10 December , 1896, in Sanremo, Italy.

Nobel's invention of dynamite revolutionized construction, mining, and demolition industries, but he is perhaps most famous for the Nobel Prizes. In his will, he left the majority of his wealth to fund these prestigious international awards, which recognize outstanding contributions in various fields, including physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. This enduring legacy has had a significant impact on the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of peace worldwide.

 

21 October - Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his design of an incandescent light bulb in 1879

 

On October 21, 1879, Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his design of an incandescent light bulb. Edison's patent, which was eventually granted on January 27, 1880, represented a crucial development in the field of electrical lighting. His design featured a filament inside a glass bulb that could glow when an electric current passed through it. This invention marked a major advancement in indoor and outdoor lighting and had a profound impact on daily life, eventually leading to the widespread adoption of electric lighting systems, displacing older methods of illumination like gas lamps and candles. Thomas Edison's contributions to the development of the incandescent light bulb significantly transformed the way people lived and worked by providing a reliable and efficient source of artificial light.

21 October - Muthuswami Dikshita death anniversary

 

Muthuswami Dikshitar was a renowned Indian composer and one of the trinity of Carnatic classical music, along with Tyagaraja and Syama Sastri. He was born on March 24, 1775, in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India, and he passed away on October 21, 1835.

Muthuswami Dikshitar's contributions to Carnatic music are celebrated for his compositions, which are known for their complex melodies and unique raga structures. He composed numerous kritis, devotional songs primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, his primary deity. His works are characterized by their rich Sanskrit lyrics, intricate rhythmic patterns, and melodic beauty.

Muthuswami Dikshitar's compositions continue to be an integral part of the Carnatic music repertoire, and his influence on the genre is profound. His timeless compositions are performed and revered by musicians and enthusiasts to this day, preserving his legacy as a significant figure in Indian classical music.

 

21 October - The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded in 1951

 

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which was founded on October 21, 1951, by Syama Prasad Mukherjee, was a right-wing political party in India. It was the predecessor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of India's major political parties today. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh aimed to promote the cultural and political interests of the Hindu majority in India. It was known for its strong stance on issues related to the protection of the rights and interests of Hindus and the preservation of Indian culture. Over time, the party evolved and eventually merged with other political groups to form the BJP in 1980, which has since become a prominent political force in India.

21 October - Shri Krishna Singh birth anniversary

 

Shri Krishna Singh was an Indian freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar. He was born on October 21, 1887, in the village of Koch, which is now in the Bhojpur district of Bihar, India. He passed away on January 31, 1961.

Shri Krishna Singh played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and was associated with the Indian National Congress. He actively participated in various agitations against British colonial rule. After India gained independence in 1947, he became the first Chief Minister of Bihar and served from 1946 to 1961. He played a pivotal role in the development and governance of the state during a critical period in its history. Shri Krishna Singh's contributions to Bihar and the Indian freedom struggle are remembered and celebrated to this day.

 

20 October - Govardhanram Tripathi birth anniversary

 

Govardhanram Tripathi was a prominent Indian author and playwright known for his significant contributions to Gujarati literature. He was born on 20 October 1855, in Nadiad, a town in the Indian state of Gujarat, and passed away on 04 January 1907. Tripathi is best known for his novel "Saraswatichandra," which is considered a masterpiece of Gujarati literature. The novel explores themes of love, morality, and social reform and has been adapted into various forms of media, including a popular television series. His works continue to be celebrated for their literary and cultural significance in Gujarat and beyond.

20 October - James Chadwick birth anniversary

 

James Chadwick (born October 20, 1891, in Bollington, England, and died on July 24, 1974, in Cambridge, England) was a British physicist who made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics. He is best known for his discovery of the neutron in 1932, which expanded our understanding of atomic structure.

Chadwick's groundbreaking work on the neutron confirmed the existence of a neutral subatomic particle in the atomic nucleus, which had previously been theorized by Ernest Rutherford. This discovery was crucial for the development of nuclear physics and laid the foundation for the eventual harnessing of nuclear energy.

Chadwick's contributions to science earned him numerous honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1935 for his discovery of the neutron. His work was instrumental in advancing our knowledge of nuclear reactions and had a profound impact on the fields of atomic and nuclear physics.

 

20 October - The Lioness Attacking the Horse of the Exeter Mail Coach in 1816

 

An unusual event occurred on 20 October 1816 when the Exeter mail coach, while on its way to London, drew into the Pheasant Inn on Salisbury Plain. The leading horses were attacked by a lioness which had escaped from a travelling menagerie. The lioness then turned her attentions towards a large dog which had proceeded to attack her, which she chased and killed.

The lioness’s owner eventually recovered her from underneath a nearby granary. The passengers had taken refuge inside the inn, bolting the door and stopping anyone else from entering.