Today’s Motto: ‘Don’t worry about the darkness. That is where the stars shine the brightest’

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

On this day,  Aug. 26…….

580 – Chinese invent toilet paper (pic credit-Etsy).

1346 – The cannon, firing a round ball, was first used in battle in France. Edward III of England reportedly used 22 cannon during the defeat of Philip VI of France at Crécy.

1843 – The first U.S. design of a typewriter that successfully typed was issued a patent to Charles Thurber as a “machine for printing by hand by pressing upon keys which contain the type, called “Thurber’s Patent Printer.”

1873 – 1st kindergarten public school opens in St. Louis.

1895 – The large-scale production of electricity using hydropower from the Niagara Falls was commercialised.

1909 – An almost perfectly preserved Cro-Magnon man skeleton was discovered by Swiss paleontologist Otto Hauser. At 34,000 years old, the remains provided an example of man’s development leading towards the emergence of Homo sapiens. (Homo sapiens (Latin: “wise man”) is the scientific name for the only extant human species).

1920 – 1st U.S. roller coaster built.

1938 – A tape recorder was used for the first time in the U.S. to send a radio broadcast.

1955 – 1st colour telecast (NBC) of a tennis match (Davis Cup).

1959 – The Morris Mini-Minor was introduced by the British Motor Corporation. It carried the greatest payload in the smallest practical space. It had all-independent suspension, good fuel economy, fast acceleration, manoeuvrability and ease of parking.

1997 – Indian Employee Provident Fund scheme of 1952 amended to ensure that all PF claims are settled within 30 days from the date of receipt of claims by the PF Commissioner.

2017 – Violent clashes after conviction of spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh kill 31 in Panchkula, 120 admitted to hospital.

Born….

1910 – Mother Teresa [Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu], Albanian born nun came to India and founded Missionaries of Charity. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize, 1979.

1927 – Bansi Lal, Hindu Jat independence activist, former Chief Minister of Haryana and central minister. Considered by many to be the architect of modern Haryana.

1956 – Maneka Gandhi, model, editor of Surya jounal, , animal welfare activist. Widow of Sanjay Gandhi and daughter-in-law of former PM Indira Gandhi. Former MP (8 times)  and Minister in NDA govt. (pic credit-Telegraph India)

1966 – Madhur Bhandarkar, Bollywood  film director, producer. Known for films like Chandni Bar, Calendar Girls, Indu Sarkar, Babli Bouncer, Fashioon, India Lockdown etc. Awarded Padam Shri, Maharashtra State, Lions Gold award 4 times and Iconic Man of the Decade by WEF in Goa in 2015.

RIP….

1935 – John North Willys, American industrialist whose company ‘Willys Overland’ developed the jeep.

2012 – AK Hangal,  born in Sialkot (now Pakistan, Avtar Kishan was a veteran character actor. Acted in about 225 films in 35 years. Known for roles in Garam Hawa, Kora Kaagaz, Sholay, Namak Haram, Lagaan, Showkeen, Manzil etc. Was awarded Padam Bhushan in 2006.

You may have known….

Malanai.e. silence of the lambs:Malana is an ancient village in Himachal Pradesh, where the inhabitants are referred to as Malanis. Reportedly, non-Malanis are considered inferior by the Malanis. On visiting Malana, non-Malanis are supposed to follow a set path and are not allowed to touch anything, be it the walls, houses or people. If they do, they have to pay a sum which also covers the sacrifice of a lamb, in order to purify the impurity caused by their touch.                                                       

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