Great Side Blog

Anti-Tobacco Day or World No Tobacco Day is observed on 31 May every year across the globe to make people aware and educate them about the harmful effects of tobacco on health which causes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, tooth decay, staining of teeth etc. 1818- Samachar Darpan, the first vernacular newspaper, was published in Bengali language by Carey and Marshman from Serampore, West Bengal. 1859- The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, which houses Big Ben, starts keeping time. 1911- The RMS Titanic is launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 1977- Colonel Prem Chand (retd) was the first Indian to scale Kanchenjunga in 1977 and is known as 'Snow Tiger'. He was also the founder of the Himalayan Outdoor Adventure Academy. 1987- Daman and Diu to remain as union territories after Goa becomes the 25th state of India. 2008- Usain Bolt breaks the world record in the 100m sprint, with a wind-legal (+1.7 m/s) 9.72 seconds. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 19...

The International Day of Action for Women's Health is an international observance celebrated on May 28 every year since 1987 to raise awareness on the issues related to women’s healthy and happy life. 1937- Volkswagen, the German automobile manufacturer, is founded. 1964- Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated as per Hindu rites on the banks of Yamuna in Delhi. 1964- The Palestine Liberation Organization is founded, with Yasser Arafat elected as its first leader. 1999- In Milan, Italy, after 22 years of restoration work, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece: 'The Last Supper' is put back on display. 2008- The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal formally declares Nepal a republic, ending the 240-year reign of the Shah dynasty. 2010- In West Bengal, India, the Jnaneswari Express train derailment and subsequent collision kills 148 passengers. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1860- Janakinath Bose was an Indian lawyer and the father of Indian independ...

1851- The first international chess tournament was held in London. Adolf Anderssen, a maths teacher from Wrocław, won the tournament. 1937- San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was opened to the public for the first time. 1996- Russian President Boris Yeltsin meets with Chechnyan rebels for the first time and negotiates a cease-fire. 2016- Barack Obama is the first president of United States to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and meet Hibakusha. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1931- O. N. V. Kurup was a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, who won the Jnanpith Award. 1957- Nitin Jairam Gadkari  is an Indian politician who serves as the 40th Minister of Road Transport & Highways in the Government of India since 2014. 1960- Perugu Ramakrishna is an Indian poet and writer. He wrote a long poem in English named Flemingo. 1961- K. Sridhar is an Indian scientist conducting research in the area of theoretical high energy physics and a writer of fiction. 19...

1805- Napoleon Bonaparte assumes the title of King of Italy and is crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy in Milan Cathedral. 1966- British Guiana gains independence, becoming Guyana. 1969- Apollo 10 returns to Earth after a successful eight-day test of all the components needed for the forthcoming first crewed Moon landing. 2014- Narendra Damodardas Modi is the 14th and current prime minister of India, serving since 26 May 2014. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1894- Ambulal Balkrishna Purani was an Indian writer. He was a prominent disciple and biographer of Rishi Aurobindo. 1983- Sushil Kumar is a former Indian wrestler and two-time Olympic medallist. He carried the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of 2012 London Olympics. Famous people who have death anniversaries on this day: 1908- Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was an Indian religious leader and the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement in Islam. 1972- Rajlakshmi Devi was Indian actress known for Padi Pishir Barmi Baksh...

1895- Playwright, poet and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison. 1933- The Walt Disney Company cartoon 'Three Little Pigs' premieres at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan, U.S. 1963- Africa Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The African Union will be celebrating its 62nd anniversary. 1981- In Riyadh, the Gulf Cooperation Council is created between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 2008- NASA's Phoenix lander touches down in the Green Valley region of Mars to search for environments suitable for water and microbial life. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1886- Rash Behari Bose was an Indian revolutionary leader and freedom fighter who fought against the British Empire. He was one of the key organisers of the Ghadar Mutiny and founded...

1883- The Brooklyn Bridge in New York City is opened to traffic after 14 years of construction. 1940- Igor Sikorsky performs the first successful single-rotor helicopter flight. 2002- Russia and the United States sign the Moscow Treaty. 2019- Under pressure over her handling of Brexit, British Prime Minister Theresa May announces her resignation as Leader of the Conservative Party, effective as of June 7. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1899- Kazi Nazrul Islam was a Bengali poet, writer, journalist, and musician. He is the national poet of Bangladesh. 1913- Kamala Chattopadhyay was a figure in the anti-British independence movement of the Indian subcontinent and a female revolutionary of the Age of Fire. 1942- Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil is an Indian ecologist, writer, columnist and the founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences, a research forum under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Science. 1954- Bachendri Pal is an Indian mountaineer, who in 1984 became t...

World Turtle Day is observed annually on May 23 to spread awareness regarding protecting turtles and tortoises and also their disappearing habitats across the world. The day promises a better future where humans and turtles can coexist peacefully. 1911- The New York Public Library is dedicated. 1951- Tibetans sign the Seventeen Point Agreement with China. 1984- Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest. 1995- The first version of the Java programming language is released. 2002- The "55 parties" clause of the Kyoto Protocol is reached after its ratification by Iceland. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1919- Gayatri Devi was the third Maharani consort of Jaipur from 1940 to 1949 through her marriage to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. 1948- Vinod Rai is a retired IAS officer who served as the 11th Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Famous people who have death anniversaries on this day: 1930- Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay was an Ind...

International Day for Biological Diversity is observed on 22 May every year to increase awareness and understanding of the issues of biodiversity. 1906- The Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, were granted US Patent No. 821,393 for a "Flying Machine". 1990- Microsoft releases Windows 3.0. This version introduced a graphical user interface (GUI) and improved multitasking capabilities. 2004- Manmohan Singh was an Indian economist, bureaucrat, and academician who served as the prime minister of India from 22 May 2004 to 26 May 2014. 2017- U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1772- Raja Ram Mohan Roy was an Indian reformer and writer who was one of the founders of the Brahmo Sabha. 1813- Ramtanu Lahiri was a Young Bengal leader, a teacher and a social reformer. 1822- Kishori Chand Mitra was a writer, civil serv...

National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on 21 May to raise awareness about the violence caused by the terrorists and also in the memory of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who passed on this day. International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. The International Tea Day aims to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world. 1904- The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris. 1991- Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally. 2005- The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. 2010- JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, launches the solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS aboard an H-2A rocket. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1899- Lilavati Muns...

Every year on May 20, International HR Day is observed to recognise and honour the achievements of HR professionals around the world. The UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day. The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators. World Metrology Day (WMD) is celebrated annually on May 20th. In 2025, it marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention, a milestone in the history of international measurement standards. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of measurement science and its impact on various aspects of life, including science, technology, and global trade. 1489- Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama discovers the sea route to India when he arrives at Kozhikode (previously known as Calicut), India. 1570- Cartographer Abraham Ortelius issues Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the first modern atlas. 1875- Signing of the Metre Convention by 17 nations leading to the establishment of the International System of Units. 1891- The f...

1802- Napoleon Bonaparte founds the Legion of Honour. 1961- At Silchar Railway Station in Assam, 11 Bengalis died in police firing on protesters demanding state recognition of Bengali language in the Bengali Language Movement. 1971- Mars 2 is launched by the Soviet Union. 1997- The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts. 2018- The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is held at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1824- Nana Saheb Peshwa II was an Indian aristocrat and fighter who led the Siege of Cawnpore (Kanpur) during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the East India Company. 1890- Ho Chí Minh was a Vietnamese revolutionary and politician who served as the founder and first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 1945 until his death in 1969. 1908- Manik Bandyopadhyay  is an Indian ...

International Museum Day is observed on 18 May every year to raise awareness about the museum and its role in society. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) created International Museum Day in 1977. World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is observed every year on 18 May. This day marks the efforts of thousands of researchers, scientists, and health professionals who have contributed to the process of finding safe and effective AIDS medicine. 1912- The first Indian film, Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne, was released in Mumbai. 1969- Apollo 10 is launched.  It was the first flight of a complete, crewed Apollo spacecraft to operate around the Moon. 1974- Under the project Smiling Buddha, India successfully detonates its first nuclear weapon becoming the sixth nation to do so. 2005- A second photo from the Hubble Space Telescope confirms that Pluto has two additional moons, Nix and Hydra. 2009- The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) are defeated by the Sri Lan...

International Day of Light is celebrated on 16 May each year, on the anniversary of the first successful laser surgery in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Light, Innovation, Society”, we explore how light transcends boundaries—driving innovations across disciplines, enhancing human experiences, and fostering collaborative solutions to shared challenges. Every year on the third Friday in May National Endangered Species Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and restoration efforts for all imperilled species. Endangered Species Act 1973, focuses on the protection of wildlife and threatened species. National Dengue Day is observed annually on May 16 in India to raise awareness about dengue fever throughout the country. Dengue is a viral illness transmitted by the bite of a female Aedes mosquito. Every year on 16th May, Sikkim Foundation Day is celebrated. This day commemorates the historic even...

International Day of Families is observed every year on 15 May. This day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the issues related to families and to increase knowledge about the social, economic and demographic processes that affect them. 1940- Mac and Dick MacDonald, two brothers, started the McDonald’s Restaurant brand in San Bernardino, California, which later became the world’s known fast-food brand. 1957- At Malden Island in the Pacific Ocean, Britain tests its first hydrogen bomb in Operation Grapple. 1958- Gift tax was introduced in India. 2010- Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1817- Debendranath Tagore was an Indian philosopher and religious reformer, active in the Brahmo Samaj. 1859- Pierre Curie was a French physicist, radiochemist, and a pioneer in crystallography, magnetism, piezoelectricity, and radioactivity. He shared the 1903 Nobel Prize in...

1796- Edward Jenner administers the first smallpox inoculation. 1870- The first game of rugby in New Zealand is played in Nelson between Nelson College and the Nelson Rugby Football Club. 1915- The May 14 Revolt takes place in Lisbon, Portugal. 1948-  Israel is declared to be an independent state and a provisional government is established. 1973- Skylab, the United States' first space station, is launched. 2021- China successfully lands Zhurong, the country's first Mars rover. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1883- Sir Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer was an Indian lawyer and member of the Constituent Assembly of India. 1923- Mrinal Sen was a Bengali film director and screenwriter. Sen was also awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award for filmmakers in India. 1979- Anupam Shobhakar is an Indian musician, composer, instrumentalist, record producer, and classically trained sarodist currently living in Brooklyn, New York. 1997- Manushi Chhillar is an Ind...

1861- Pakistan's (then a part of British India) first railway line opens, from Karachi to Kotri. 1952- The Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India, holds its first sitting. 1967- Dr. Zakir Husain becomes the third President of India. He is the first Muslim President of the Indian Union. He holds this position until August 24, 1969. 1998- India carries out two nuclear weapon tests at Pokhran. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1857- Sir Ronald Ross was a British medical doctor who received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for his work on the transmission of Malaria. 1918-  Tanjore Balasaraswati was an one of the most famous ‘Bharatanatyam’ dancers of India. 1905- Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was an Indian lawyer and politician who served as the President of India from 1974 to 1977. 1924- Kakkadan Nandanath Rajan was a veteran Indian economist. He played an important role in India's planned development, drafting sections of India'...

Every year International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May to commemorate the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birthday. This day also celebrates the contribution done by nurses to society around the world. Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, marks the birth of Prince Siddharta Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha and founded Buddhism. Buddha Purnima is a spiritual festival observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Vaisakha. This year, Buddha Purnima will be observed on Monday, May 12, 2025, celebrating Gautam Buddha's 2587th birth anniversary. 1949-  Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India was a First foreign woman ambassador in USA. 1965- The Soviet spacecraft Luna 5 crashes on the Moon. 2002- Former US President Jimmy Carter arrives in Cuba for a five-day visit with Fidel Castro, becoming the first President of the United States to visit the island since the Cuban Revolution. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1820- Flo...

Every year National Technology Day is observed on 11 May to highlight the important role of Science in our daily lives and encourage students to opt for science as an option for a career. On this day Shakti, the Pokhran nuclear test was held on 11 May 1998. Mother's Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May to honour motherhood and is observed in different forms throughout the world. Mother's Day was founded by Anna Jarvis who had given the idea of celebrating Mother's Day in honour of mothers and motherhood in 1907. 1857- Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British. 1927- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences is founded in Los Angeles, California, United States. 1951- President Rajendra Prasad inaugurates the newly constructed Somnath temple. 1997- Deep Blue, a chess-playing supercomputer, defeats Garry Kasparov in the last game of the rematch, becoming the first computer to beat a world-champion chess player in a classic m...

Every year on May 10, people worldwide observe World Lupus Day. Its purpose was to make us more aware of the fact that the seemingly unrelated symptoms are actually signs of a chronic, crippling autoimmune disease. 1857- In India, the first war of Independence begins.Sepoys mutiny against their commanding officers at Meerut. 1994- Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president. 2013- One World Trade Center becomes the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1671- Alivardi Khan was the fourth Nawab of Bengal from 1740 to 1756. 1882- Gurusaday Dutt was a civil servant, folklorist, and writer. He was the founder of the Bratachari Movement in the 1930s. 1905- Pankaj Kumar Mullick was an Indian music composer, playback singer and actor. 1929- Asim Mukhopadhyay was a figure in the history of mountaineering in West Bengal, India. He was the pioneer in India for organizing high altitude scientific expeditions...

According to English calendar Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7th May 1861 in Kolkata to parents Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. However, as per the Bengali calendar, Rabindra Jayanti will be observed on May 9 this year. Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2025 commemorates the 164th birth anniversary of the versatile Bengali Poet, known for his literary contributions. In 1913, he was honoured with Nobel Prize in Literature. He also established Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal. 1901- Australia opens its first national parliament in Melbourne. 1955- West Germany joins NATO. 1988- New Parliament House, Canberra officially opens. 2022- United States President Joe Biden signs the 2022 Lend-Lease Act into law. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1540- Maharana Pratap was king of the Kingdom of Mewar, in north-western India in the present-day state of Rajasthan, from 1572 until his death in 1597. 1866- Gopal Krishna Gokhale was an Indian political leader ...

World Red Cross Day is observed every year on 8 May to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross. The founder of the Red Cross was Henry Dunant as well as the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He became the first recipient of the 1st Nobel Peace Prize. World Thalassaemia Day or International Thalassaemia Day is observed every year on 8 May in honour of all patients suffering from Thalassaemia and for their parents who have never lost hope for life, despite the burden of their disease. 1758- The Maratha Empire captures Peshawar from the Durrani Empire in the Battle of Peshawar. 1933- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi begins a 21-day fast of self-purification and launched a one-year campaign to help the Harijan movement. 1962- Jorasanko Thakur Bari is now located inside Rabindra Bharati University campus, the university was setup in 1962. 1969- Indian fantasy adventure comedy film-  Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne written and directed by Satyajit ...

World Athletics Day is observed on 7 May to raise awareness about sports among youth, in schools and institutions to promote athletics as the primary sport. And to introduce new talent and youngsters in the field of athletics. 1846- The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1849- Bethune College was founded as the Calcutta Female School in 1849 by John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune, with the financial support of Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee. 1907- The first electric tram car in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) was introduced in 1907 by the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramway Company (BEST). 1952- The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1986- Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits. 2000- Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: ...

International No Diet Day is observed on May 6 annually. It is a celebration of body acceptance, including fat acceptance and body shape diversity. World Asthma Day is observed every year on the first Tuesday of May to spread awareness and care about asthma in the world. An annual event is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of bronchitis causing cough, breathlessness, chest tightness etc. 1857- The East India Company disbands the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry whose sepoy Mangal Pandey had earlier revolted against the British in the lead up to the War of Indian Independence. 1889-  The Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition in Paris. 1901- The first issue of Gorkhapatra, the oldest still running state-owned Nepali newspaper was published. 1909- Indian nationalist Sri Aurobindo acquitted in the Alipore Bomb Case in Calcutta, India. 1940- John Steinbeck is awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his nov...

1809- Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread. 1821- The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published.   1883- Surendra Nath Banerjee became the first journalist to go to jail. He was also given the title of Rashtra Guru. 1955- Indian parliament accepts Hindu divorce. 2010- The Supreme Court of India rejected the use of polygraph tests, along with narco-analysis and brain mapping, on suspects without their consent. 2023- The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1905- Pandit Raghunath Murmu was an Indian Santali writer and educator. 1911- Pritilata Waddedar was an East Bengali revolutionary nationalist from the Indian subcontinent who was influential in the Indian independence movement. 1916- Giani Zail Singh was an Indian politician from Punjab who served as the seventh president of India from 1982 ...

International Firefighter’s Day is observed every year on 4 May. It was instituted on January 4, 1999, after a proposal via email out across the world due to the deaths of five firefighters in a bushfire in Australia. Therefore, this day is observed to recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. Every year on 4 May, Coal Miners Day is observed to honour the coal miners. Coal Mining is one of India's most dangerous professions. Coal Miners are the men who know that they may not return home back after work when the day is over. Then, also they walk in the coal mines and earn their daily wages. World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. In 1998, the first celebration took place in Mumbai, India. It was arranged by Dr Madan Kataria founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. 1927- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is incorporated. 1953- Ernest Hemingw...

  May 3rd: A Day for Press Freedom, Cinematic Beginnings, and Historical Turning Points May 3rd is a date of diverse historical and cultural significance around the world, particularly recognized for its dedication to press freedom. 1 For India, it holds a special place as the birth date of its vibrant film industry and a crucial moment in its freedom struggle. Here's a breakdown of the significance of May 3rd: Global Significance: World Press Freedom Day: This is the most widely recognized significance of May 3rd. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, it commemorates the 1991 Windhoek Declaration, which emphasized the need for a free, independent, and pluralistic press. 2 It serves as a reminder to governments of their commitment to press freedom, a day of reflection for media professionals, and an occasion to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. 3 Constitutional Milestones: 1791: Constitution of May 3 (Poland): This date marks th...

International Harry Potter Day was officially declared by David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Britain at the time, in 2012. It is designated to be on the 2nd of May, the day Harry Potter defeated Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts. World Tuna Day is established by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness about the importance of tuna fish. 1986- America’s 30-year-old Ann Bancraff became the first woman in the world to reach the North Pole. 1998- The European Central Bank is founded in Brussels in order to define and execute the European Union's monetary policy. 2002- Pakistan’s batsman Inzamam ul Haq made history by scoring 329 runs in a Test match against New Zealand. 2011- Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the September 11 attacks and the FBI's most wanted man, is killed by the United States special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Famous people who had responded birthdays on this day: 1921- Satyajit Ray was an Indian director, screenwriter, document...

International Labour Day is also known as Labour Day or May Day. It is celebrated globally every year on the 1st of May. In India, Labour Day is referred to as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din. Maharashtra Day is also known as Maharashtra Diwas in Marathi. It is a state holiday in Maharashtra. The state of Maharashtra was formed from the division of the Bombay State on 1 May 1960. Gujarat Day, celebrated on May 1st every year, marks the formation of the state of Gujarat on May 1st, 1960. 1897- Ramakrishna Mission was founded near Calcutta (now Kolkata) by Vivekananda in 1897. 1930- "Pluto" is officially proposed for the name of the newly discovered dwarf planet Pluto by Vesto Slipher in the Lowell Observatory Observation Circular. 1956- The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk is made available to the public. 1978- Japan's Naomi Uemura, travelling by dog sled, becomes the first person to reach the North Pole alone. 1961- The Prime Minister of Cuba, Fidel Castro...