05 April - postage stamp issued on Arya Samaj in 2000

 

A commemorative postage stamp issued on 05 April 2000 on 125 years of Arya Samaj , a Vedic religion reform movement and its founder Swami Dayananda Saraswati first to give call for Swaraj in 1876 , later taken up by Bal Gangadhar Tilak . Today the Arya Samaj organisation is active all over the world. The Stamp design portrays the work done by the Arya Samaj, spreading the light of knowledge and truth , and carries the Sanskrit invocation: From the darkness lead us to the light.It also commemorates Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati , the founder.  The first day cover portrays the goal of the organization : Let us make the whole world noble.

05 April - Gregory Peck birth anniversary

 

Gregory Peck, born on 5 April 1916, was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood Cinema.

05 April - Alagappa Chettiar death anniversary

 

 Alagappa Chettiar, indeed, was born on 06 April 1909, and he passed away on 05 April 1957. Alagappa Chettiar was a prominent Indian businessman, philanthropist, and educationist. He played a significant role in the economic and educational development of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the early to mid-20th century. Chettiar founded various educational institutions and contributed to the establishment of banks and industries, leaving a lasting legacy in southern India.

05 April - The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in Japan The world’s largest suspension bridge opens to traffic.

 

The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is indeed one of the world's most remarkable engineering marvels. The opening date for traffic on the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge was April 5, 1998.

Spanning the Akashi Strait, the bridge connects the city of Kobe on the mainland of Honshu to Awaji Island, also in Japan. With a total length of about 3,911 meters (12,831 feet), it holds the title of the world's longest suspension bridge. The bridge is an iconic symbol of Japan's engineering prowess and serves as a vital transportation link between various regions.

Construction of the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge began in April 1988 and took about a decade to complete. Its design and construction faced numerous challenges due to the region's frequent earthquakes and typhoons. However, through innovative engineering techniques and meticulous planning, the bridge was successfully built and has since become a symbol of Japan's resilience and technological advancement.

05 April - Mahatma Gandhi along with his followers reached Dandi to break the salt law 1930

 

On April 5, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi, along with a group of followers, reached the coastal village of Dandi in the state of Gujarat, India, to initiate the Salt Satyagraha, also known as the Salt March or Dandi March. This historic event marked a significant moment in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

The Salt Satyagraha was a nonviolent protest against the British-imposed salt tax, which heavily burdened the Indian population, particularly the poor. Gandhi and his followers marched for about 240 miles (386 kilometers) from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi, symbolically breaking the British monopoly on salt production by making salt from the seawater along the coast.

The Salt March gained widespread attention both within India and internationally, highlighting the injustice of British colonial policies and demonstrating the power of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social and political change. The movement inspired millions of Indians to join the struggle for independence and played a crucial role in mobilizing public support against British rule.

The Salt Satyagraha was a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, leading to increased momentum for the fight against British imperialism and ultimately contributing to India's eventual independence in 1947. Mahatma Gandhi's leadership and commitment to nonviolent resistance during the Salt March solidified his status as one of the most influential figures in world history.

 

05 April - Ruchi Ram Sahni birth anniversary

 

Ruchi Ram Sahni was an Indian educationist, scholar, and social reformer who played a significant role in the field of education in British India during the early 20th century. He was born on 05 April 1863, in Lahore, which is now in Pakistan, and he passed away on 03 June 1948.

Ruchi Ram Sahni was deeply involved in the promotion of scientific education and was one of the pioneers of science education in India. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Government College in Lahore and later went on to study in the United States, where he obtained a degree in Civil Engineering.

Upon his return to India, Ruchi Ram Sahni became a professor at the Government College in Lahore. He advocated for the inclusion of science education in the curriculum and worked to establish laboratories and facilities for scientific research. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Punjab University in Lahore.

Apart from his contributions to education, Ruchi Ram Sahni was also actively involved in social and political reform movements. He was associated with the Arya Samaj and was known for his efforts in promoting scientific thinking and rationalism.

Ruchi Ram Sahni's work left a lasting impact on the educational landscape of India, particularly in the promotion of scientific education. His efforts helped lay the foundation for the growth of scientific research and education in the country.

 

05 April - Bell Bottoms Day

 

Bell Bottoms Day, which is celebrated on April 5, commemorates the fashion of the 1970s. Bell bottoms are also known as flares. These are a style of trousers and jeans that become wider from the knees to the ankles resembling the shape of a bell. Back in the day, bell bottoms were made from denim, satin polyester, or bright cotton. They were immensely popular among teenagers as they signified an outlandish fashion style.

04 April - Sri Aurobindo's arrival in Pondicherry in 1910.

 

Sri Aurobindo Ghose, an Indian philosopher, yogi, and nationalist leader, arrived in Pondicherry on April 4, 1910. He went to Pondicherry to seek spiritual solitude and to continue his spiritual practices. This marked a significant turning point in his life, as he transitioned from his active involvement in India's independence movement to a life dedicated to spiritual pursuits and inner transformation.

During his time in Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo delved deeply into yoga and meditation, eventually developing his own integral yoga philosophy, which aimed at the spiritual evolution of humanity as a whole. He founded an ashram in Pondicherry, which attracted followers from around the world, and his teachings continue to influence spiritual seekers globally. Sri Aurobindo's writings, particularly his epic poem "Savitri" and his philosophical works, have left a lasting legacy in the realms of spirituality, philosophy, and literature.

 

04 April - Commemorative postage stamp issued on Peter Paul Rubens in 1978

 

 A commemorative postage stamp issued on (04 April 1978) 400th.Birth anniversary of Peter Paul Rubens  was a Flemish artist and diplomat from the Duchy of Brabant in the Southern Netherlands . He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradition. Rubens's highly charged compositions reference erudite aspects of classical and Christian history. His unique and immensely popular Baroque style emphasized movement, colour, and sensuality, which followed the immediate, dramatic artistic style promoted in the Counter-Reformation. Rubens was a painter producing altarpieces, portraits, landscapes, and history paintings of mythological and allegorical subjects.

04 April - Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is executed.

 

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was executed on 04 April 1979. Bhutto, who founded the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977.

In July 1977, Bhutto's government was overthrown in a military coup led by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who imposed martial law and declared himself the Chief Martial Law Administrator. Bhutto was subsequently arrested and charged with authorizing the murder of a political opponent. Despite international appeals for clemency and widespread protests both within Pakistan and abroad, Bhutto was convicted and sentenced to death.

On 04 April 1979, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed by hanging at Central Jail Rawalpindi. His execution sparked controversy and condemnation from around the world, with many critics alleging that the trial and verdict were politically motivated and unjust.

Bhutto's execution marked a significant turning point in Pakistan's political history and had far-reaching consequences for the country's future trajectory. His daughter, Benazir Bhutto, would later rise to prominence as a political leader in Pakistan, eventually becoming Prime Minister herself. The legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto continues to be debated in Pakistan and remains a contentious issue in the country's political landscape.