Do you know Padma Bhushan awardee Mrinal Sen was born on this day?
Here are some of the important historical events which happened on May 14 around the world
Mrinal Sen has 18 National Film Awards and was honoured the Padma Bhushan and Babasaheb Phalke award. Let’s look more into the history to know more about it. When it comes to history, we often think of it as an account of wars and crusades. There have been many discoveries and inventions which helped us to develop more wonders and serve humanity. On this day in 1796, the first vaccine for smallpox was discovered and saved many lives. This discovery became an inspiration to find a cure for many diseases in the 19th and 20th century. Let us take a quick look at some major events that have shaped the world to its present state.
Indian actress Waheeda Rehman born
Born on May 14, 1938, Waheeda Rehman is an Indian actress and dancer. She has appeared mainly in Hindi films, as well as Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam films. She has received a National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards out of eight nominations, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality. Apart from acting, Rehman is a philanthropist.
Indian Politician Arun Chandra Guha born
Born on May 14, 1892, Arun Chandra Guha was an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, from the Barasat constituency of West Bengal.
Read more: May 13 in History: Do you know Red Fort construction was completed on this day?
Indian Politician Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer
Born on May 14, 1883, in Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer was an Indian lawyer and member of the Constituent Assembly of India, which was responsible for framing the Constitution of India. From 1929 to 1944, he has also served as the Advocate General of Madras.
Indian film director Mrinal Sen
Born on May 14, 1923, Mrinal Sen was an Indian Filmmaker and nominated member of parliament. He is one of the personalities who have changed the look of Indian cinema. He has bagged the National film Award 18 times. In 2008 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan and has also received Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.
1796 first smallpox vaccine tested
Om May 14, 1796, Edward Jennifer, an English Country doctor administered the world’s first vaccine as a preventive treatment for smallpox. Over the centuries millions of people had lost life because of the disease. This day in 1976, Jennifer took fluid from the cowpox blister and scratched it into the skin of James Phillip, smallpox patient. The boy recovered and doctors across Europe started using this technique to cure the disease.
1804 Lewis and Clark left to explore the Northwest
On May 14, 1804, a year after the USA purchased Louisiana, which doubled the size of the USA, Lewis and Clark left St. Louisiana for an expedition. The duo left on a mission to explore Northwest from the Mississippi River to The Pacific Ocean. Almost two years after on September 23, 1806, the expedition returned to the city with more information about the vast unexplored lands.
Read more: Do you know Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley died on this day?
1948 State of Israel proclaimed
On May 14, 1948, in Tel Aviv, David Ben-Gurion, Jewish Agency Chairman, proclaims the state of Israel, establishing the Jewish state after 2000 years.
1973 Skylab launched
SkyLab, America’s first space station was successfully launched into the orbit
1955 Warsaw pact formed
The Soviet Union and seven other European satellites sign a treaty beginning the Warsaw pact. It was a mutual defence organization that set the Soviets in command of the armed forces of the member states. It was signed in Warsaw that is where it got its name as Warsaw Pact. Soviet Union, Albania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria were its members.
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