25 August - Uruguay Independence Day

 

Uruguay Independence Day is celebrated on August 25th each year. It commemorates the day in 1825 when Uruguay declared its independence from Brazil, which was then part of the larger United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.

Uruguay's path to independence was a complex one, involving various struggles and conflicts. The declaration of independence marked the beginning of a process that eventually led to the establishment of Uruguay as a sovereign nation. The country went on to adopt its first constitution in 1830.

Today, Uruguay Independence Day is a national holiday in Uruguay and is celebrated with various events, ceremonies, parades, and cultural activities to honor the country's history and its journey towards autonomy.

25 August - Emil Theodor Kocher birth anniversary

 

Emil Theodor Kocher (1841–1917) was a Swiss physician and surgeon renowned for his pioneering contributions to modern surgery. Born on August 25, 1841, he revolutionized the field with his meticulous approach to aseptic techniques, elevating surgical hygiene. However, his most notable achievement was in thyroid surgery. By introducing refined techniques for thyroidectomy, he significantly improved patient outcomes in treating goiter. Kocher's dedication to advancing medical practices earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1909. He passed away on July 27, 1917, leaving behind a lasting legacy of innovation and improved patient care in the realm of surgery.

25 August - Soldier's Day (Brazil)

 

Soldier's Day (Dia do Soldado) is a Brazilian national holiday celebrated on August 25th each year. It honors the Brazilian soldiers and commemorates the birthday of Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, also known as the Duke of Caxias. He was a prominent military figure in Brazil's history and is considered the patron saint of the Brazilian Army.

Luís Alves de Lima e Silva played a crucial role in various military campaigns and conflicts during the 19th century, including the Brazilian War of Independence and the Paraguayan War. His leadership and contributions to the Brazilian military earned him a place of honor in the country's history.

Soldier's Day is an occasion to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of soldiers in Brazil's armed forces. It is marked with various military ceremonies, parades, and events to honor the contributions of soldiers to the nation's security and well-being.

25 August - Neil Armstrong death anniversary

 

Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) was an American astronaut and the first person to set foot on the Moon. He achieved this historic feat during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969. Armstrong's famous words upon stepping onto the lunar surface were, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

Before his lunar landing, Armstrong had a distinguished career as a test pilot and astronaut. He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1962 and flew on the Gemini 8 mission in 1966, where he performed the first successful docking of two spacecraft in orbit. However, his most iconic achievement was as the commander of Apollo 11, where he, along with astronauts Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins, embarked on the journey to the Moon.

Armstrong's contributions to space exploration and his historic role in the Apollo 11 mission made him a symbol of human achievement and exploration. He continued to contribute to the space program and held various roles in education and aerospace after his astronaut career. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, at the age of 82.

25 August - Indian national polo team won the World Championship

 

On 25th August 1957, the Indian national polo team won the World Championship tournament. India is the birthplace of modern polo. The first polo club was established at Silchar, Assam in 1834. From the 1800s to the 1910s, a host of teams representing Indian principalities dominated the international polo scene. The Indian Polo Association (IPA) was founded in 1892 which majorly revived the Indian Polo Championship in 1956, after a gap of 17 years, due to the outbreak of second world war and mechanisation of cavalry units. Indian Polo team participated in the 1957 World Championship in France and won the tournament. This severely helped revive interest in polo in the country.In the year 1992 the IPA completed 100 years and since then polo has seen an uprising interest in the country. Today we have 33 Polo Clubs registered with IPA. 

24 August - Independence Day of Ukraine

 

Independence Day of Ukraine is the main state holiday in modern Ukraine,celebrated on 24 August in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence of 1991.

When Ukraine was still a Soviet republic, the Ukrainian diaspora traditionally recognized 22 January (the Declaration of Independence of the Ukrainian People's Republic in 1918) as Ukrainian Independence day.

The current form of the holiday was first celebrated on 16 July 1991, as the first anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine passed by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) in 1990.Since the Declaration of Independence was issued on 24 August 1991, and confirmed by the referendum of 1 December 1991, the date of the holiday was changed.

24 August - Flag Day in Liberia

 

Flag Day in Liberia is celebrated on August 24th each year. It is a national holiday in Liberia and is dedicated to honoring the country's flag, which holds great significance in Liberian history and identity.

The Liberian flag consists of 11 horizontal stripes of red and white, with a blue square in the upper left corner that contains a single white star. The flag's design is a symbol of Liberia's history and values, with the red and white stripes representing the 11 signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence. The blue square and white star symbolize African freedom and the ex-slaves and free black Americans who migrated to Liberia in the early 19th century.

On Flag Day, Liberians participate in various festivities and events to celebrate their national flag. This includes parades, cultural performances, educational programs, and ceremonies. Schools, government offices, and many businesses are closed for the day, allowing people to engage in patriotic activities and reflect on the importance of the flag to their nation's identity.

 

24 August - Bal Gangadhar Kher birth anniversary

 

Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher, commonly known as B. G. Kher, was an Indian politician and a key figure in the Indian National Congress during the pre-independence and post-independence periods. He served as the Chief Minister of the Bombay Presidency (now Maharashtra) and also played a role in shaping post-independence Maharashtra's political landscape.

Born on August 24, 1888, B. G. Kher was deeply involved in the freedom struggle against British colonial rule. He was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi's principles and actively participated in various civil disobedience movements and initiatives to promote India's independence.

One of his significant contributions was his role in the integration of princely states into the newly formed Indian Union after independence. As Chief Minister of Bombay Presidency, he worked to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition of princely states like Saurashtra into the Indian Republic.

B. G. Kher was a respected leader and administrator known for his commitment to social welfare and education. He believed in fostering a progressive and inclusive society. He also played a role in establishing the Mumbai University.

Kher's legacy extends beyond his political career. He was instrumental in laying the foundation for the political structure of the state of Maharashtra after it was reorganized on linguistic lines. His contributions to the socio-political landscape of Maharashtra continue to be remembered and acknowledged.

B. G. Kher passed away on March 8, 1957. His efforts in both the pre-independence and post-independence eras have left a lasting impact on the political and social development of Maharashtra and India as a whole.

23 August - Chandrayaan-3 he lander and rover landed near the lunar south pole region of Moon

 

Chandrayaan-3 is the third Indian lunar exploration mission under the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan programme.It consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, similar to those of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The propulsion module carried the lander and rover configuration to lunar orbit in preparation for a powered descent by the lander.

Chandrayaan-3 launched on 14 July 2023,and the lander and rover landed near the lunar south pole region on 23 August 2023 at 6.04 pm IST ,making India the first nation to successfully land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole, and the fourth country to soft-land on the Moon. 

Special cancellation on occasion of  successful landing on Moon by Mumbai region on 23 August 2023

23 August - Kobe Bryant birth anniversary

 

Kobe Bryant, born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an iconic professional basketball player and one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport. He played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became known for his remarkable skills, competitiveness, and commitment to excellence.

Bryant entered the NBA directly from high school, following in the footsteps of other talented players of his generation. Over the course of his illustrious career, he achieved numerous accolades and milestones.

Off the court, Bryant was involved in various philanthropic activities and creative projects. He won an Academy Award for his animated short film "Dear Basketball," which was based on a poem he wrote upon announcing his retirement from basketball.

Tragically, Kobe Bryant's life was cut short on January 26, 2020, when he, along with his daughter Gianna and several others, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. His untimely passing sent shockwaves throughout the world and left a profound impact on the sports community, fans, and beyond.

Kobe Bryant's legacy as a basketball legend, a dedicated athlete, and a role model for perseverance continues to inspire countless individuals around the globe. He is remembered not only for his remarkable athletic achievements but also for his passion, determination, and the enduring impact he made on the world of sports and beyond.