14 April - The Titanic strikes an iceberg and starts to sink 1912

 

April 14th, 1912 marks one of the most tragic maritime disasters in history—the sinking of the RMS Titanic. On that fateful night, the Titanic, a luxurious British passenger liner, struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.

The collision occurred shortly before midnight on April 14th, causing extensive damage to the ship's hull. As a result, the Titanic began to take on water rapidly. Despite efforts to save the vessel, including the activation of watertight compartments, the scale of the damage proved catastrophic.

In the early hours of April 15th, the Titanic sank beneath the frigid waters, claiming the lives of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. The disaster shocked the world and led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, including the implementation of stricter standards for lifeboat capacity and emergency procedures.

The sinking of the Titanic remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of human endeavors and the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of life, particularly in the realm of transportation and exploration.

 

14 April - World Chagas Disease Day

 

World Chagas Disease Day is observed on April 14th each year. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease primarily affects people in Latin America, but it is increasingly becoming a global health concern due to migration and travel.

The observance of World Chagas Disease Day aims to highlight the importance of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. It provides an opportunity to educate the public, policymakers, and healthcare professionals about the risks, symptoms, and consequences of Chagas disease, as well as the need for improved access to healthcare services for affected populations.

Through advocacy, outreach activities, and research initiatives, World Chagas Disease Day seeks to promote greater attention and action towards addressing the challenges associated with Chagas disease and ultimately working towards its elimination as a public health threat.

 

14 April - M. Visvesvaraya death anniversary

 

Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, often referred to as Sir M. Visvesvaraya, was an eminent Indian engineer, scholar, and statesman. He passed away on 14 April 1962,

Visvesvaraya was born on 15 September 1861, in Muddenahalli, a village in present-day Karnataka, India. He made significant contributions to various fields, particularly in engineering, education, and public administration.

Visvesvaraya played a key role in the development of India's infrastructure during the British colonial era and in the early years of independent India. He served as the Chief Engineer of the Mysore State and was instrumental in the construction of dams, bridges, and irrigation systems, including the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysore.

Visvesvaraya's contributions to engineering and nation-building earned him numerous honors and accolades, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1955. His birthday, 15 September is celebrated as Engineer's Day in in India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania in his memory, in recognition of his remarkable achievements and contributions to the field of engineering.

Though he did not pass away on 12 April , his legacy continues to inspire generations of engineers and policymakers in India and beyond.

14 April - Henry I of Castile was born in 1204

 

Henry I of Castile, also known as Henry I of Castile and León, was born on 14 April 1204. He was the son of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of England. Henry succeeded his father as King of Castile in 1214 at the age of ten, under the regency of his mother, Queen Eleanor.

Henry's reign was marked by internal conflicts and struggles for power within the kingdom. He faced opposition from nobles and rival claimants to the throne, leading to periods of instability. However, Henry managed to assert his authority and consolidate power during his reign.

Henry I of Castile died on 06 June 1217, at the young age of thirteen. His younger sister Berengaria succeeded him briefly as Queen of Castile until her marriage to Alfonso IX of León, which led to the union of the crowns of Castile and León. Henry's premature death marked the end of his brief but eventful reign as King of Castile.

14 April - Christiaan Huygens birth anniversary

 

Christiaan Huygens was a Dutch mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, born on 14 April 1629, in The Hague, Netherlands. He made significant contributions to various fields of science during the 17th century.

Huygens is perhaps best known for his work in astronomy. He made groundbreaking discoveries using telescopes, including the first observation of Saturn's rings in 1655 and the discovery of its moon Titan in 1655. Huygens also proposed a wave theory of light, which challenged the prevailing view of light as composed of particles. His work laid the foundation for modern optics and wave theory.

In mathematics, Huygens made significant contributions to the fields of probability theory and calculus. He developed the concept of mathematical expectation and made advancements in the understanding of the cycloid curve.

Huygens was also an inventor, credited with inventing the pendulum clock in 1656, which greatly improved timekeeping accuracy. His work in mechanics and dynamics contributed to the development of modern physics.

Christiaan Huygens is remembered as one of the most influential scientists of his time, whose work had a lasting impact on multiple fields of science and technology. He passed away on 08 July 1695, in The Hague, Netherlands.

14 April - Nitin Bose death anniversary

 

Nitin Bose was a pioneering Indian filmmaker and cinematographer known for his significant contributions to the Indian film industry. He was born on April 26, 1897, in Calcutta, British India (now Kolkata, India), and he passed away on April 14, 1986.

Nitin Bose played a crucial role in shaping Indian cinema during its early years. He began his career as a cinematographer and worked on several notable films, demonstrating his innovative use of lighting and camera techniques. Bose is credited with introducing the technique of playback singing in Indian cinema, which revolutionized the way songs were recorded and filmed.

As a filmmaker, Nitin Bose directed several successful films in Hindi, Bengali, and other languages. Some of his notable works include "Dharam" (1935), "Achut Kanya" (1936), and "Ganga Jamuna" (1961). He was known for his ability to blend artistic expression with commercial appeal, creating films that resonated with audiences across India.

Nitin Bose's contributions to Indian cinema have earned him a revered place in its history. He is remembered as a visionary filmmaker and cinematographer who played a key role in shaping the industry during its formative years.

14 April - Abraham Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth

 

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He was born on 12 February 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky (now part of LaRue County). Lincoln grew up in a poor family and largely self-educated himself, becoming a lawyer and entering politics.

As president, Lincoln faced the immense challenge of leading the country through the American Civil War, which erupted in 1861 over issues including slavery, states' rights, and the preservation of the Union. He is best remembered for his leadership during this tumultuous period and for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered in 1863, is one of the most famous speeches in American history, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and democracy. He was re-elected in 1864 but tragically did not live to see the end of the Civil War. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, on 14 April 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He passed away the following day, 15 April 1865.

Lincoln's leadership during a time of national crisis, his commitment to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery, and his enduring legacy as a symbol of American values have earned him a revered place in history.

14 April - The first commercial motion picture house was opened in New York

 

On 14 April 1894, The first commercial motion picture house  was opened in New York City. It has 10 peep-show Kinetoscopes through which the films can be seen.

The Kinetoscope was patented by Thomas Edison. It had been developed primarily by one of his team members, William Kennedy Dickson who was the star and producer of the first motion picture shown to a public audience.

14 April - Abraham Ortelius birth anniversary

 

 Abraham Ortelius, born on 14 April 1527, was a Brabantian cartographer and geographer, conventionally recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World). Ortelius was often considered one of the founders of the Netherlandish school of cartography and one of the most notable figures of the school in its golden age (approximately 1570s–1670s). The publication of his atlas in 1570 was often considered as the official beginning of the Golden Age of Netherlandish cartography. He was also believed to be the first person to imagine that the continents were joined together before drifting to their present positions 

 

 

14 April - Hindu Astrology - Zodiac sign and Elements stamps were issued in 2010

 

 

A Miniature sheet consisting 12nos.of Commemorative postage stamps issued on (14 April 2010) Hindu Astrology - Zodiac sign and Elements : The design of the stamps are rooted in Indian folk and depicts the 12 Zodiac sign - against four base colours which reflects the elements of Earth, Air , Fire and water. The Miniature sheet is based on the format of a horoscope, a different version of which is also reflected on the First day cover each of the four reflected a different elements.