History is defined by pivotal moments that leave a significant mark. This week commemorates several of these remarkable events, including the Apollo 11 Moon l…
1/7July 19 | On this day in 1977, the first GPS signal was sent by the Navigation Technology Satellite-2 and picked up at a ground station in Iowa, US. This development paved the way for the Global Positioning System (GPS), now essential for everything from smartphone navigation to aviation and military operations. (Image: Canva)
2/7July 20 | On this day in 1969, humans achieved the unimaginable by landing on the Moon for the first time, as the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle touched down on the lunar surface. Shortly thereafter, Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the Moon, followed by Buzz Aldrin, marking a monumental achievement in science and exploration. (Image: Canva)
3/7July 21 | On this day in 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, making history as the first woman to hold such a position globally. Her victory represented a significant milestone for women’s roles in politics worldwide and initiated a political dynasty influencing Sri Lankan politics for decades. (Image: Canva)
4/7July 22 | On this day in 2019, India launched Chandrayaan-2, its second mission to the Moon, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Although the Vikram lander’s attempt to soft-land near the Moon’s south pole was unsuccessful, the orbiter continued its mission, providing crucial data that would inform the subsequent successful Chandrayaan-3 mission. (Image: ISRO)
5/7July 23 | On this day in 1952, the Free Officers Movement in Egypt, led by military figures including Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser, initiated a revolution that toppled King Farouk, thereby ending the monarchy and setting Egypt on the path to becoming a republic. (Image: Canva)
6/7July 24 | On this day in 1991, Finance Minister Manmohan Singh delivered a pivotal Union Budget as India faced a severe balance-of-payments crisis. Along with reforms initiated by the PV Narasimha Rao government, this Budget played a crucial role in dismantling the Licence Raj, allowing for increased foreign investment and competition, thus marking a significant shift towards economic liberalization. (Image: Reuters)
7/7July 25 | On this day in 2007, Pratibha Patil took office as India’s first female President, representing a significant milestone for women’s representation in the nation’s highest constitutional role. (Image: Reuters) (Image: Reuters)
