Motto for Today: ‘There are plenty of obstacles in your path. Don’t be one of them’.

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

On this day, 05 August ……….

1861 – U.S. Army abolishes flogging. (In the 18th and 19th centuries, European armies administered floggings to common soldiers who committed breaches of the military code. During the American Revolutionary War, the American Congress raised the legal limit on lashes from 39 to 100 for soldiers who were convicted by courts-martial. Generally, officers were not flogged. However, in 1745, a cashiered British officer could have his sword broken over his head, among other indignities inflicted on him. Flogging was a common disciplinary measure in the British Royal Navy that became associated with a seaman’s manly disregard for pain. In the Napoleonic Wars, the maximum number of lashes that could be inflicted on soldiers in the British Army reached 1,200. One soldier was sentenced to 700 lashes for stealing a beehive).

1891 – 1st travelers 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.

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. (123 other states have become party to the treaty. Ten states have signed but not ratified the treaty.).

1964 – U.S. begins bombing North Vietnam.

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

1981 – 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.

2014 – Obama signs The Iron Dome Bill providing $225 million in additional funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defense.

2019 – Indian government revokes Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir.

2020 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the cornerstone for Ayodhya Temple.

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 Mukherjeea, actor.

1987 – Genelia D’Souza, actor.

RIP….

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

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

2000 – Lala Amarnath, cricketer.

Titbits….

1926 – Houdini stays in a coffin under water for 1½ hrs before escaping.

You may have known….

Dolphins sleep with one half of the brain at a time, and one eye closed. 

Good morning. Have a nice day.

{Compilation credits–Lt. Gen.(R) Raj. Kadyan}