Today’s Motto: ‘The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs, is to be ruled by evil men’

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

On this day, 18 Jul….
(This day was officially declared by the United Nations in 2009 through a resolution in the General Assembly, and the first UN Mandela Day was held on July 18, 2010. The day is not meant as a public holiday but to celebrate the life and works of Nelson Mandela through volunteering and community service).

1743 – 1st half-page newspaper ad is published (New York Weekly Journal).

1896 – Ranjitsinhji completes 154* on Test Cricket debut vs. Australia, Old Trafford.

1940 – 1st successful helicopter flight, Stratford, Connecticut.

1942 – Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, Germany’s first operational jet fighter, takes first flight. The Me 262surprised the Allies with its speed advantage – around 100 or more miles per hour. Although it could still be intercepted by Allied piston-engine fighters, when the Nazi jet was at speed it could escape an enemy. However, introduced near the end of World War II, and with limited numbers available, the Me 262 had limited effect on the progress of the war (pic credit-cr.photos.com).

1946 – U.K. Parliament approves British Cabinet mission report on India but Churchill says that the mission went too far in offering India independence outside of the Commonwealth.

1947 – Indian Independence Act, signed by King George VI, was proclaimed as Indian Freedom Act, 1947.

1968 – The Intel Corporation, inventor of the microchip, was incorporated. Co-founded by a Hungarian immigrant by with a collaboration of colleagues with the same interest, to revolutionize the computer world. In 1971, Intel released its first microprocessor, the 4004 designed for a calculator. In 1972 came the more powerful 8008. With the introduction of the 8080 in 1974, the first personal computers were made possible.

1980 – Rohini 1, 1st Indian satellite, launches into orbit.

2012 – Kim Jong-un is officially appointed Supreme Leader of North Korea and given the rank of Marshal in the Korean People’s Army.

2024 – Bangladeshi student protesters storm state broadcaster as part of national protests led by students against job system that favours relatives of veterans.

Born…. 1926 – Veena. (born as Tazour Sultana).  Veteran actress born in Quetta (now  in Pakistan) has acted in old films films like Garib,  Gawandhi, then Chalti ka Naam Gaadi, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Do Raaste, Taaz Mahal, Paakizah, Razia Sultan etc.

1946 – Kalpana Mohan. popular glamour actress  born in Srinagar to a freedomfighter family. She acted in films Pyar Ki Jeet,Professor, Teen Deviyan, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Saheli, Tasveer, Teesra Kaun, Ek Bechara  etc.

1982 – Priyanka Chopra,  Bollywood film actress and producer. She won the 2000  Niss World pagent and did modelling.  One of the highest paid actress started her cinema carrier with Tamil  film  Thamishan and then  Hindi film  Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Andaaz, Mujhse Shadi Karogi, Aitraz, Krish,  Koi Mil Gaya, Fashion, Don, Bluffmaster, Big Brother, God Tussi Great Ho,  7 Lhoon Maaf,  Barfi etc. She won a National Film award, 5 Fiomfare awards, Critis award and many other accolades.   (pic credit-www.masala.com).

1989 – Bhoomi Pednekar. young actress known for common middle class roles, has acted in Toilet,  Ek Prem Katha, Badhai Ho, Dam Laga Ke Haisha, Saandh Ki Aankh  etc. She has won 3 Filmfare awards.

RIP….  2012 – Rajesh Khanna,  one of  the greatest  Indian actors  and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema,  as the first Superstar of Hindi cinema. He was also a producer and  active Congress Party politician afer retirement from cinema. Khanna acted in over 180 films starting with Aakhri Khat in 1967 and later did blockbusters like Do Raaste, Aaradhana, Aan Milo Sajna, Kati Patang, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Anand, Andaaz, Maryada,  Haathi Mere Saathi, Chhoti Bahu, Khamoshi, Baawarchi etc. He won 3 Filmfare awsards, a Filmfare Best Actor award and Lifetime Achievement award. He was also honoured with Padma Bhushan. He was Lok Sabha member in 1992 to 1998. 

You may have known….

There are total 22 Constitutionally recognised languages in India. There are total 31 languages that have received the status of official languages. The total number of languages spoken by people living in India is 880. Hindi is the official language of Indian Union.

                                                                                                                                   {Complied by Lt. Gen. (R)  Raj Kadyan}