Today’s Motto: ‘Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm’

This is Your Day-TODAY:  Take a Determined Step Forward and Make History!   

On this day,  Aug. 05…. ….

1861 – U.S. Army abolishes flogging. (In the 18th and 19th officers centuries, European armies administered, as a disciplinary measure, floggings to common soldiers who committed breaches of the military code. Generally, were not flogged).

1891 – 1st travellers checks issued, American Express.

1914 – A lighting ceremony was held for the first electric traffic lights used to control flow of different streams of traffic in Cleveland, Ohio. The traffic signals were red and green lights on street-corner poles, wired to a manually operated switch housed inside a control booth beside the road. The switch design prevented conflicting signals. A bell warned the drivers of colour changes. The installation by the American Traffic Signal Co. was modelled after a system patented by James Hoge. (The first traffic control light used a gas-lit lantern, in London, 10 Dec 1868).

1926 – 1st talkie movie “Don Juan” at Warner Theatre, New York (pic credit-Wikipedia).

1926 – Houdini stays in a coffin under water for 1½ hrs before escaping. (pic credit-Infobae)

1939 – In the first case to be brought under Prohibition laws, a railroad passenger was today convicted of possessing a bottle of brandy in Bombay.

1963 – Britain, America and Russia signed a Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at Moscow to prohibit nuclear weapons tests “or any other nuclear explosion” in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water. (A total of 108 countries had signed before the LNTB Treaty entered into force 10 Oct 1963).

1964 – U.S. begins bombing North Vietnam.

1975 – The RSS, Anand Marg, Jamat-i-Islami, and 23 other organisations were banned.

1981 – Babu Jagjivan Ram heads breakaway Congress(U) and calls new party Congress (J).

1999 – Nisha Millet became the first Indian swimmer to receive the International Olympic Committee’s Solidarity Scholarship, given to sportspersons with outstanding track record and possessing Olympic potential.

2012 – Gunman opens fire on Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin killing six people and committing suicide.

2019 – Indian government announces it is changing the status of Kashmir from a state to a union territory, revoking Article 370 in response to security concerns.

2020 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the cornerstone for a new Hindu temple at Ayodhya.

2022 – Volkswagen launches a prototype of its first flying car, an automated, electric passenger vehicle nicknamed “Flying Tiger” (pic credit-Dezeen).

Born….

1930 – Neil Armstrong, American astronaut who was the first man to walk on the moon (20 Jul 1969, Apollo 11).

1969 – Venkatesh Prasad, cricketer (consistent Test pace bowler).

1974 – Kajol Mukherjee,  popular romantic Bollywood actor, daughter of  Tanuja, grand daighter of Shobhna Samarth. Known for films Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Baazigar,  Bekhudi, Karan Arjun, Student of the Year, Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai,  My Name is Khan, Tanhaji, Lust Stories.. etc… Won six Filmfare awards.

1987 – Genelia D’Souza, Bollywood    actor. born in Sri Lanka, married Reitesh Deshmukh, son of CM of Maharashtra. (pic credit-Times Content)

RIP….

1950 – Gopinath Bardoloi, architect of modern Assam, freedom fighter and leader.

1986 – Vellupillai Prabakaran, Tamil rebel leader fought for liberation of Tamil dominated areas of northern  Sri Lanka like Jafna etc.  Founded  rebel front LTTE.

1991 – Soichiro Honda, Japanese engineer, race car driver and industrialist who founded the Honda Motor Company, motor cycle and car manufacturer.

2000 – Lala Amarnath, legendary Indian cricketer, called Father of Indian cricket, scored First Century for India in 1933 and captained  India team in 1952 which defeated Pakistan. His 3 sons Surender, Mohinder and Rajinder Amarnath were established Test players and played longer innings.  Was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 and first CK Nayudu Trophy for Lifetime Achievment in 1994.

You may have known….

Fire-Walking – Theemithi, Tamil Nadu: Originating in Tamil Nadu, the practice of Theemithi has spread to Sri Lanka, Singapore, Japan  and South Africa as well. Theemithi is part of a larger ceremony stretching over a two-and-a-half month period where parts of the Mahabharata is re-enacted, totalling up to 18 distinguishable rites. The festival of Theemithi is a celebration of Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas. After the Battle of Kurukshetra, Draupadi walked across a bed of fire and emerged as fresh as a flower. Theemithi is a re-enactment of the same, and is believed to grant a wish or blessing by the goddess.                                           

                                                                                                                                     (Compiled by Lt. Gen. (R) Raj Kadyan}