07 April - Genocide Memorial Day Rwanda

 

April 7th is observed as Genocide Memorial Day in Rwanda. This day  marks the beginning of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.

During the Rwandan Genocide, which lasted for approximately 100 days, an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were systematically killed by Hutu extremists. The genocide was fueled by longstanding ethnic tensions and political divisions within Rwandan society.

Genocide Memorial Day serves as a time for reflection, remembrance, and honoring the victims of the genocide. It is a day to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, to acknowledge the survivors, and to reaffirm the commitment to preventing such atrocities from happening again.

On this day, Rwandans participate in memorial ceremonies, visit genocide memorials and mass graves, and engage in acts of commemoration and mourning. It is a solemn occasion that reminds the world of the tragic consequences of hatred, intolerance, and division, and the importance of promoting peace, reconciliation, and unity.

07 April - Metric System Day

 

Metric System Day takes place on April 7 every year. Now often used as a synonym for the International System of Units (or S.I.), the metric system is a system of measurement used in most countries of the world except the United States and a few other countries. The metric system was introduced by France in 1799 and it’s an original, decimal-based (based on powers of 10) measurement format based on meters and kilograms. Base units in the metric system include kilograms, meters, and liters. The metric system also uses the Kelvin scale (or the Celsius scale) to measure the temperature. The decimal-based prefixes in the metric system include milli, centi, deci, and kilo. However, these prefixes are not used with the temperature degree.

07 April - Geologists Day

 

Geologists Day is an official holiday for geologists, geophysicists and geochemists in Russia and other former states of the Soviet Union, Established in 1966, the holiday is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of April.

Geologists Day was initiated by a group of prominent Soviet geologists headed by academician Alexander Yanshin. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on March 31, 1966, to commemorate the achievements of Soviet geologists after the discovery of petroleum in West Siberia.

The timing of the holiday, the first Sunday in April, was chosen because it marks the end of winter and beginning of preparation for summer field work and expeditions.

Geologists Day is traditionally celebrated in almost all geological and mining organizations of the former Soviet Union with festivities starting at the end of preceding week. In addition to geologists, many others involved in related fields also consider this day as their professional holiday and celebrate it. 

07 April - Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day (Tanzania)

 

Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day is indeed observed in Tanzania on April 7th each year. This day commemorates the life and contributions of Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, a prominent Tanzanian politician who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence and its post-independence development.

Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume was born on August 4, 1905, in Zanzibar, which was then a British protectorate. He became actively involved in politics and was a key figure in the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, which led to the overthrow of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the establishment of a republic.

Karume served as the first President of Zanzibar from 1964 until his assassination on April 7, 1972. His leadership was characterized by efforts to promote unity, social justice, and economic development in Zanzibar.

On Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day, Tanzanians honor his memory and reflect on his contributions to the country. It is a day of remembrance, respect, and recognition of Karume's role in shaping Tanzania's history and politics. Various events and ceremonies may be held across the country to commemorate this day, including speeches, tributes, and community gatherings.

06 April - The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was established in New York City in 1869

 

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was established in New York City on April 6, 1869. The museum has since become one of the largest and most renowned natural history museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of specimens, artifacts, and exhibits related to anthropology, paleontology, zoology, astronomy, and other scientific disciplines.

The AMNH is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and occupies a vast complex of interconnected buildings. It is well-known for its iconic exhibits, including the dinosaur fossils in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs and the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, featuring a life-size model of a blue whale.

Throughout its history, the American Museum of Natural History has played a significant role in scientific research, education, and public outreach. It continues to be a popular destination for visitors of all ages, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to learn about the natural world and the history of life on Earth.

 

06 April - 1973 – Launch of Pioneer 11 spacecraft.

 

Pioneer 11 was launched by NASA on April 6, 1973. It was the second spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and the first to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Pioneer 11 provided valuable data about these gas giants and their moons before its mission officially ended in 1995.

06 April - Waltzing Matilda Day (Australia)

 

Waltzing Matilda Day is celebrated on April 6th in Australia. This day commemorates the iconic Australian folk song "Waltzing Matilda," written by Banjo Paterson. The song tells the story of a swagman (a traveling worker) who sets up camp by a billabong (a small lake or pond), steals a sheep, and then drowns himself to avoid capture by the authorities.

"Waltzing Matilda" is often considered Australia's unofficial national anthem and holds significant cultural importance in the country. On Waltzing Matilda Day, Australians may participate in various activities, such as singing performances, poetry readings, or community events celebrating the song's heritage and cultural significance.

06 April - National Siamese Cat Day in USA

 

Celebrate National Siamese Cat Day on April 6th! This special day is all about honoring the beautiful, unique, and adorable cats that have been around for centuries. Siamese cats are thought to be one of the oldest breeds of cat, with records dating back to as early as 1300 AD in Thailand (formerly Siam). They are famous for their distinct blue eyes and pointed coat colors which can vary from seal point to lilac point.

06 April - Ram Navami 2025

 Ram Navami is an important Hindu festival, celebrated every year on the ninth day of Chaitra month (the first month in the Hindu lunar calendar) — it falls on 06 April this year.

Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu.The festival celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Rama avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya, Kosala.This festival is a part of the Chaitra Navaratri in the spring, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of Chaitra, the first month in the Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the months of March or April by the Gregorian calendar.Rama Navami is an optional holiday for government employees in India.

The day is marked by Rama Katha recitals or reading of Rama stories, including the Hindu epic Ramayana which narrates the tale of Rama. Some Vaishnava Hindus visit a temple while others pray within their homes, and some participate in a bhajan or kirtan with music as a part of puja and aarti.Some devotees mark the event by taking miniature statues of the infant Rama, washing and clothing them, then placing them in cradles. Charitable events and community meals are also organized. The festival is an occasion for moral reflection for many Hindus.Some mark this day by vrata (fasting).

Important celebrations on this day take place at Ayodhya and numerous Rama temples all over India. Rathayatras, the chariot processions, of Rama, Sita, his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, are taken out at several places.In Ayodhya, many take a dip in the sacred river Sarayu and then visit the Rama temple.
 

#ramnavmi #rammandir

06 April - International Firewalk Day

 

International Firewalk Day takes place on the first Saturday of April every year and this year, it falls on 05April . People all throughout the world take part in activities known as “Firewalks,” which, to put it simply, involve ambling barefoot over a bed of hot stones or embers. This ritual is frequently performed as a rite of passage, as a test of a person’s courage and mental fortitude, or in religious contexts, as a proof of one’s faith. Social theorists have argued that the popularity of intense collective events such as firewalking continues to grow because they foster socialization. The social cohesion and team building they bring about make them a favorite worldwide. Whatever the reasons for engaging in firewalking, it’s clear that this discipline has captured people’s emotions and imaginations and is here to stay.