21 February - Birthday of King Harald V (Norway)

 

King Harald V is the reigning monarch of Norway. Here are some key points about King Harald V:

1. Birth and Early Life: King Harald V was born on February 21, 1937, in Skaugum, Akershus, Norway. He is the son of King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden.

2. Education: King Harald received his education at the Norwegian Military Academy and later attended the Balliol College at the University of Oxford.

3. Marriage and Family: In 1968, King Harald married Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner, which was initially controversial. Queen Sonja became the first Norwegian queen consort to have been born a commoner. They have two children, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise.

4. Ascension to the Throne: King Harald V ascended to the throne on January 17, 1991, succeeding his father, King Olav V, who passed away.

5. Constitutional Role: Norway is a constitutional monarchy, and the role of the monarch is largely ceremonial. The King's duties include representing the country at official functions, participating in the formal opening of the Norwegian Parliament, and performing various ceremonial duties.

6. Symbolic Figure: King Harald V is a symbol of continuity and stability in Norway. While the monarchy is constitutional, the royal family is generally well-regarded, and the King is seen as a unifying figure.

7. Interests and Hobbies: King Harald V has had a keen interest in sailing and represented Norway in several sailing competitions at the Olympic Games. He is also known for his passion for outdoor activities and sports.

8. Silver Jubilee: In 2016, King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their silver jubilee, marking 25 years of King Harald's reign.

21 February - Mirra Alfassa birth anniversary

 

Mirra Alfassa (21 February 1878 – 17 November 1973), known to her followers as The Mother or La Mère, was a spiritual guru, occultist and yoga teacher, and a collaborator of Sri Aurobindo, who considered her to be of equal yogic stature to him and called her by the name "The Mother". She founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and established the town of Auroville; she was influential on the subject of Integral Yoga.

Mirra Alfassa (Mother) was born in Paris in 1878 to a Sephardi Jewish bourgeois family. In her youth, she traveled to Algeria to practice occultism along with Max Théon. After returning, while living in Paris, she guided a group of spiritual seekers. In 1914, she traveled to Pondicherry, India and met Sri Aurobindo and found in him "the dark Asiatic figure" of whom she had had visions and called him Krishna. During this first visit, she helped publish a French version of the periodical Arya, which serialized most of Sri Aurobindo's post-political prose writings. During the First World war she was obliged to leave Pondicherry. After a 4-year stay in Japan, in 1920 she returned to Pondicherry for good. Gradually, as more and more people joined her and Sri Aurobindo, she organised and developed Sri Aurobindo Ashram. In 1943, she started a school in the ashram and in 1968 established Auroville, an experimental township dedicated to human unity and evolution. She died on 17 November 1973 in Pondicherry.

Satprem, who was one of her followers, captured the last thirty years of Alfassa's life in the 13-volume work, Mother's Agenda.

21 February - Tilaiya Dam was inaugurated in 1953

 

 Tilaiya Dam was the first of the four multi-purpose dams included in the first phase of the Damodar Valley Corporation. It was constructed across the Barakar River, at Tilaiya in Koderma district in the Indian state of Jharkhand . Tilaiya Dam was inaugurated on 21 February 1953. It has a power generation capacity of 2 x 2 MW. The main (Patna-Ranchi) road from Barhi on Grand Trunk Road passing through hills overlooking the reservoir is picturesque.

The Indian Postal Service issued a set of four stamps for the Five-Year Plan series on 26 January 1955, that included one stamp of one anna value depicting Tilaiya Dam. Shortly after opening the Tilaiya dam, pictured on the one-anna stamp.

21 February - Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck birthday

 

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the current reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Bhutan. He was born on 21 February 1980, in Thimphu, Bhutan. Jigme Khesar ascended to the throne on 9 December 2006, following the abdication of his father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Key points about Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck:

1. Coronation: Jigme Khesar was formally crowned as the fifth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan on 06 November 2008, in a ceremony held at the Punakha Dzong.

2. Education: Before his ascension to the throne, Jigme Khesar studied in the United States and the United Kingdom. He attended Magdalen College, University of Oxford, and the Ugyen Wangchuck Academy in Bhutan.

3. Modernization and Development: King Jigme Khesar has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at modernizing Bhutan while also preserving its unique cultural identity. He has emphasized the importance of Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a measure of the country's progress, prioritizing well-being and happiness over purely economic indicators.

4. International Relations: King Jigme Khesar has engaged in diplomatic efforts to strengthen Bhutan's international ties. Bhutan is known for its cautious approach to foreign relations and has traditionally maintained a policy of neutrality.

5. Marriage and Family: King Jigme Khesar married Jetsun Pema on 13 October 2011. Jetsun Pema is the Queen Consort of Bhutan, and the couple has two sons, the elder being Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck.

6. Popular Figure: King Jigme Khesar is widely regarded as a popular and charismatic figure in Bhutan. He is known for his approachability, public engagements, and efforts to connect with the people.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck continues to play a central role in the constitutional monarchy of Bhutan, overseeing the country's development and contributing to its unique philosophy of prioritizing the well-being and happiness of its citizens.

 

21 February - Nutan Samarth Bahl death anniversary

 

 Nutan Samarth Bahl (4 June 1936 – 21 February 1991), known mononymously as Nutan, was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. In a career spanning nearly four decades, she appeared in more than 70 films, mostly as a protagonist, in both big productions and arthouse films that ranged in genre from urban romances, literary adaptations, to psychological and socio-realist dramas. Regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema,Nutan was noted for her naturalistic acting style in parts of conflicted women often deemed unconventional.Her accolades include a record five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress and the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1974.She died from breast cancer in 1991 

21 February - Comstar 4 launched in 1981

 

Comstar 4, launched 21 February 1981, has completed 17 years of service from 75.4 degrees W longitude. Designed to keep pace with the burgeoning growth of telephone usage in the United States, Comstar employed the new dual polarized antenna system.

21 February - The Battle of Verdun

 

The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and deadliest battles of World War I, fought between the French and German armies on the Western Front. The battle took place from 21 February to 18 December 1916, around the town of Verdun-sur-Meuse in northeastern France.

Key points about the Battle of Verdun:

1. Strategic Importance: Verdun held great strategic importance for the French, as it was situated on a high ridge overlooking the Meuse River. Both the French and Germans recognized its significance, leading to intense fighting over the control of this region.

2. German Offensive: The battle began with a massive German offensive aimed at capturing Verdun. The German Chief of the General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, believed that by inflicting heavy casualties on the French army, he could "bleed France white" and weaken its ability to continue the war.

3. French Defense: The French, under the command of General Philippe Petain (who later became a prominent figure in World War II), fiercely defended Verdun. The French army, despite suffering heavy casualties, managed to hold on to key positions.

4. Trench Warfare: The Battle of Verdun is often associated with the brutal trench warfare characteristic of World War I. Both sides dug extensive trench systems, and the fighting was marked by artillery bombardments, gas attacks, and intense infantry battles.

5. High Casualties: The battle resulted in staggering casualties on both sides. Estimates vary, but it is believed that several hundred thousand soldiers were killed, and many more were wounded. The exact number of casualties remains a topic of historical debate.

6. Outcome: While the French successfully defended Verdun and repelled the German offensive, the battle did not lead to a decisive breakthrough for either side. It became a symbol of French determination and resilience.

7. Legacy: The Battle of Verdun left a lasting impact on the collective memory of France and Germany. The landscape around Verdun is still marked by the scars of war, with preserved trenches, forts, and cemeteries serving as a reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

The Battle of Verdun is often remembered as one of the most iconic and grueling battles of World War I, symbolizing the horrors and hardships of the war on the Western Front.

 

21 February - Language Movement Day (Bangladesh)

 

Language Movement Day, also known as International Mother Language Day, is observed in Bangladesh on February 21 each year. This day commemorates the events of February 21, 1952, when a group of students and political activists protested against the imposition of Urdu as the sole official language of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

The people of East Pakistan, where Bengali was the predominant language, opposed the decision as it marginalized their language and culture. The protest reached its peak on February 21, 1952, when the police opened fire on the demonstrating students in Dhaka, resulting in the death of several protesters.

The sacrifices made by the Language Movement activists eventually led to the recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of Pakistan. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Bengali became the sole official language of the newly formed country.

Language Movement Day is observed as a national holiday in Bangladesh, and various events and activities take place to honor the language martyrs and celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country. The day also has international significance, as UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity and the protection of mother languages worldwide.

 

21 February - Sir Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar birth anniversary

 

Sir Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar OBE, FNI, FASc,FRS,FRIC, FInstP (21 February 1894 – 01 January 1955) was an Indian colloid chemist, academic and scientific administrator. The first director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), he is revered as the "father of research laboratories" in India. He was also the first Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In 1958, to honour his name and legacy, the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) instituted the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology for scientists who have made significant contributions in various branches of science.

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar was elected one of the first Fellows of the Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc) in 1934; he was appointed a Foundation Fellow of the National Institute of Sciences of India (FNI; now the Indian National Science Academy) the following year.For his contributions to pure and applied chemistry, Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1936 New Year Honours List.The British government knighted him in the 1941 New Year Honours List for his contributions to the advancement of science.Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar was appointed a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP) in 1942, and was also appointed a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry (FRIC) that year.In 1943 the Society of Chemical Industry, London, elected him as Honorary Member and later as Vice-President. Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1943.

In independent India, he was the President of the Indian Chemical Society, National Institute of Sciences of India and the Indian National Science Congress. He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 1954.

An Indian science award, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology was created in his honour.

20 February - John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962

 

Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program conducted by the United States. It was initiated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1958 with the goal of putting an American astronaut into orbit around the Earth and bringing them safely back. The project took its name from the ancient Roman god Mercury, who was the messenger to the gods and symbolized speed.

Key points about Project Mercury:

1. Objective: The primary objective of Project Mercury was to develop the capability to put humans into space and safely return them to Earth. The program laid the groundwork for future space missions and aimed to gather data on human performance in space, particularly in the weightlessness of orbit.

2. Astronauts: Seven astronauts, known as the "Mercury Seven," were selected to participate in the program. The members were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton.

3. Spacecraft: The spacecraft used in Project Mercury was named the Mercury spacecraft. It was a small, single-person capsule designed to carry astronauts into space and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.

4. Suborbital and Orbital Flights: The program included both suborbital and orbital flights. The first American in space was Alan Shepard, who made a suborbital flight on May 5, 1961. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962.

5. Launch Vehicle: The Redstone and Atlas rockets were used as launch vehicles for the Mercury missions.

6. Conclusion: Project Mercury paved the way for subsequent human spaceflight programs, such as Gemini and Apollo, which eventually led to the United States landing astronauts on the Moon in 1969. The success of Project Mercury demonstrated the feasibility of human space exploration and marked the beginning of the U.S. space program's efforts to explore the cosmos.