11 May - Minnesota became a state of the United States in 1858

 

Minnesota became a state of the United States on May 11, 1858. Prior to that, it was a territory under the control of the United States government. The United States acquired the area through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and it was initially part of the larger Northwest Territory. Over time, the region was organized into various territories, including the Minnesota Territory, before eventually achieving statehood. The process of becoming a state involved the drafting of a state constitution and approval by the U.S. Congress. Minnesota's admission as the 32nd state of the United States marked its formal incorporation into the Union.

11 May - Saadat Hasan Manto birth anniversary

 

Saadat Hasan Manto (11 May 1912 – 18 January 1955) was a Pakistani writer, playwright and author born in Ludhiana, who was active in British India and later, after the 1947 partition of India, in Pakistan. Known for his candid and often provocative narratives, Manto has been widely credited as one of South Asia’s most accomplished modernist fiction writers.

11 May - Asaf Ali birth anniversary

 

Asaf Ali (11 May 1888 – 02 April 1953), an Indian independence fighter and noted Indian lawyer, and the first Indian Ambassador to the United States. He was appointed governor of Odisha for two terms and later, Indian Ambassador to Switzerland. Ali was born on 11 May 1888 in Seohara, North-Western Provinces, British India.

11 May - Odd Hassel Norwegian chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969

 

Odd Hassel (17 May 1897 – 11 May 1981) was a Norwegian chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969 for his ground-breaking research on the structure of molecules

After completing his education, he worked as a research assistant at the University of Oslo. He later became an associate professor of physical chemistry at the same institution in 1925. In the 1930s, he began his ground-breaking research on the three-dimensional structure of molecules, which would later earn him the Nobel Prize.

His research involved the use of X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of organic molecules. He discovered that molecules with non-planar structures are more stable than those with planar structures. This discovery became known as the “Hassel Effect” and was a major breakthrough in the field of chemistry.

Hassel also made significant contributions to the study of dipole moments in molecules. His work led to the development of the Hassel-Bjerrum theory, which explains the relationship between the dipole moment of a molecule and its chemical structure.

He continued to work as a professor of physical chemistry at the University of Oslo until his retirement in 1964. He remained active in the scientific community, however, and continued to publish research papers throughout his lifetime.

He died on 11 May 1981, in Oslo, Norway.

11 May - National Technology Day

 

 

National Technology Day is an observance celebrated in several countries to commemorate and appreciate the achievements and contributions made by scientists, engineers, and technologists in the field of technology. While different countries may have their own designated dates, the most commonly known National Technology Day is celebrated in India on May 11th each year.

In India, National Technology Day is celebrated to honor the successful nuclear tests carried out on May 11th, 1998, at Pokhran, Rajasthan. These tests, codenamed Pokhran-II, demonstrated India's nuclear capabilities and marked a significant milestone in the country's technological advancements. The day serves as a reminder of the nation's achievements in science and technology and highlights the importance of technological innovation for national development.

On National Technology Day in India, various events and activities are organized to showcase technological advancements across different sectors. These may include exhibitions, seminars, conferences, panel discussions, workshops, and award ceremonies. The day also provides an opportunity for scientists, engineers, and technologists to interact with students, educators, and the general public, fostering an appreciation for science and technology.

Apart from India, other countries also celebrate their own versions of National Technology Day to acknowledge and promote technological progress, innovation, and the impact of technology on society. The specific dates and celebrations may vary depending on the country.

 

11 May - Kim Philby death anniversary

 

Kim Philby (1 January 1912 – 11 May 1988), a British intelligence officer and a double agent for the Soviet Union. In 1963 he was revealed to be a member of the Cambridge Five, a spy ring that passed information to the Soviet Union during World War II and in the early stages of the Cold War. He died on 11 May 1988 at the age of 76 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.

11 May - Juan Gris death anniversary

 

Juan Gris (23 March 1887 – 11 May 1927) was a Spanish painter and sculptor who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of Cubism. Gris was known for his innovative use of color, shape, and form, and his work had a significant impact on modern art.

10 May - The United States annexes the Kingman Reef

 

Kingman Reef  is a largely submerged, uninhabited, triangle-shaped reef, geologically an atoll, 9.0 nmi (20 km) east-west and 4.5 nmi (8 km) north-south,in the North Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway between the Hawaiian Islands and American Samoa.It has an area of 3 hectares (0.03 km2; 7.4 acres) and is one of the unincorporated territories of the United States in Oceania.The reef is administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as the Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge. On May 10, 1922, Lorrin A. Thurston became the first person to raise the American flag on the atoll and read a proclamation of annexation.

 

10 May - The Inverted Jenny issued in 1918

 

The Inverted Jenny is one of the most famous and valuable postage stamps in the world. It is a United States postage stamp that was issued in  10 May 1918 , depicting a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, also known as the Jenny, flying upside down. The stamp was printed in blue and red ink and had a face value of 24 cents.

However, due to an error during printing, a small number of stamps were printed with the airplane flying the wrong way up, making them extremely rare and valuable. It is estimated that only 100 of these stamps were ever produced, making them highly sought after by collectors.

The Inverted Jenny stamp is named after its upside-down image of the biplane and has become a symbol of stamp collecting. In 2016, one of the few known Inverted Jenny stamps was sold at auction for over $1.3 million, making it one of the most expensive stamps ever sold.

10 May - The Indian Rebellion of 1857

 

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising against British colonial rule in India. The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 and lasted for about a year, until it was finally suppressed by British forces in July 1858.

The rebellion was sparked by a number of factors, including economic grievances, cultural and religious differences, and political discontent. The British had imposed their rule over India through the East India Company, and they had introduced a number of policies that were deeply unpopular with Indian people, including high taxes, land reforms, and the introduction of new rifles that were considered offensive to Indian religious beliefs.

The rebellion began with a mutiny of Indian soldiers in the town of Meerut, and it quickly spread to other parts of northern India. Indian soldiers, peasants, and other groups rose up against British rule and formed alliances with local rulers to challenge British authority.

The rebellion was marked by several violent battles and atrocities committed by both sides. The British eventually succeeded in suppressing the rebellion with the help of reinforcements from other colonies and by dividing and conquering the rebel forces.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 had a profound impact on Indian history and led to significant changes in British colonial policy in India. It also marked the beginning of the Indian nationalist movement and inspired other anti-colonial movements around the world.