January 26 History: Know About These Historical Events Apart From The Republic Day

January 26 History: India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day (also known as Ganatantra Diwas) on 26 January this year. 26 January or Ganatantra Diwas is one of three Indian national holidays and it commemorates the enactment of the constitution of India, which took place on 26 January 1950.

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The constitution of India - the largest written constitution in the world, with 395 articles and 8 schedules, was implemented on January 26. However, the date of January 26 in India is remembered not only for Republic Day but also some of the other historical events from the past.

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1. Death of Humayun - January 26, 1556

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The Mughal Emperor Humayun died on January 26, 1556. On the evening of January 24, 1556, King Humayun was sitting on the roof of his library of the building known as Din Panah likewise called Sher Mandal.

He was conversing with his nobles and astrologers in regards to holding a durbar at the time of the appearance of the planet Venus.

At that point, he heard the Muazzin's call for prayer from the neighbouring mosque. So, he had gotten up to descend the stairs, to attend the evening prayer. He slipped, tumbled down from stairs and his skull got fractured.

2. First and last Governor-General of independent India Chakravarti Rajagopalachari resigned - January 26, 1950

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Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was independent India¡¯s first Indian Governor-General. He was also the last one. At the time of Partition, Rajagopalachari was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal.

In June 1948, as Mountbatten was set to leave India, Rajagopalachari was given the position which he held till January 26, 1950, when the Indian Constitution was enacted and the country became a republic. On January 26, 1950, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and last Governor-General of independent India, resigned from his post. After this, Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of the country.

3. Declared as Purna Swaraj Day - January 26, 1930

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The father of the nation had declared it as Swatantrata Sankalp Divas after Jawaharlal Nehru demanded complete independence in the Lahore session on January 26, 1930. Mahatma Gandhi had named January 26 as 'Swatantrata Sankalp Divas'. From 1931 onwards, every year, including 1947, January 26 was observed all over the country as Independence Day.

After 190 years, the British were thrown out of the country and the power was transferred to the Indian hands at midnight of August 15, 1947, which is celebrated as Independence Day.

4. Ashoka Pillar adopted as 'National Emblem' - January 26, 1950

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On January 26, 1950, a representation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka placed above the motto, Satyameva Jayate, was adopted as the State Emblem of India. The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital, originally found atop the Ashoka Column at Sarnath, established in 250 BC.

The National Emblem of India is a representative seal of the Republic of India.

5. National Memorial 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' installed at Delhi's India Gate - January 26, 1972

Amar Jawan Jyoti | File Photo

The Amar Jawan Jyoti was built as a memorial for Indian soldiers lost in battle during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which India won and led to Bangladesh's formation. On January 26, 1972, it was instituted by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

It's a memorial with an inverted bayonet and a soldier's helmet atop it, as well as an eternal flame blazing alongside it.

It's to be noted that after 50 years, the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame at India Gate was merged with the flame at the National War Memorial on 21 January 2022.

Other Historical Events On 26 January

• In 1340, English King Edward III was declared the King of France.
• In 1788, British captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Flag at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, officially designating the territory as a British colony. This day has been celebrated as Australia Day since then.
• In 1887, construction commenced on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
• In 1905, the discovery of the Cullinan, the world¡¯s largest diamond weighing 3106 carats, was made in South Africa.
• In 1930, the Indian National Congress declared January 26 as the day of "Poorna Swaraj," signifying complete independence.
• In 1942, the first US military force destined for Europe during World War II landed in Northern Ireland.
• In 1950, India became a republic after adopting the world¡¯s longest constitution, achieving complete independence from Britain.
• In 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first president of India, succeeding Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and last Governor-General of independent India.
• In 1963, the peacock was declared the national bird of India by the Government of India.
• In 2001, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck Bhuj, Gujarat, claiming the lives of around 13,000¨C20,000 people and causing significant damage and injuries.
• In 2004, President Hamid Karzai signed the new constitution of Afghanistan.
• In 2009, Nadya Suleman gave birth to the world's first surviving octuplet babies.

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