(USA) Wright Brothers Day (1903)
(Bhutan) National Day – Ugyen Wangchuck (1907)
(Bahrain) Accession Day – Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (1961)
(USA) Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (2003)
Battle of Panipat
Event: 17 Dec 1398 in Delhi, India
(India) The Mongol invader, Timur (Tamerlane), defeated the Delhi sultan Mahmud Tughluq at the Battle of Panipat using his horde of 70,000 horse cavalry. At least 100,000 prisoners were executed and he entered Delhi on 18 December to plunder.
John Abraham
Birth: 17 Dec 1972 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Indian model (1999: Gladrags Manhunt Contest) and actor, he made his debut in the successful, but controversial movie ‘Jism’ (2003), and has continued to remain in the limelight with his striking looks and clean image. Vicky Donor (2012).
Ritesh Deshmukh
Birth: 17 Dec 1978 in Latur, Maharashtra, India
Indian actor, he rose to fame in ‘Masti’ (2004) with a Filmfare nomination and followed it up with ‘Bluffmaster’ and ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum’ (2005). He is the son of politician, Vilasrao Deshmukh and is married (03 Feb 2012) to Genelia D’Souza.
Timur’s invasion of India
Event: 17 Dec 1398 in Delhi, India
After conquering most of Persia and Russia, the Mongol ruler, Timur, crossed the Indus river on his way to Delhi, where he defeated the armies of the Sultan, Mahmud Tughluq.
On the 18th, he entered Delhi, and plundered the city.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Birth: 17 Dec 1770 in Bonn, Cologne, Germany
German pianist and composer, he was taught by his father, Johann, gave his first performance at the age of seven (Mar 1778), and is acknowledged as one of the great composers, in Western art music, although he was deaf in his last years.
First Flight by Wright Brothers
Event: 17 Dec 1903 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA
(USA) The Wright brother made four flights, which will be the first powered flight of a heavier-than-air machine under the control of the pilot, at Kitty Hawk. Gustave Whitehead of Germany appears to have made one earlier (14 Aug 1901).
Manny Pacquiao
Birth: 17 Dec 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines
Filipino boxer, he is the first to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions, and was voted ‘Fighter of the Decade’ by BWAA in 2010, but lost to Mayweather in 2015. He is also a member of the House of Representatives.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Born: 17 Dec 1770 in Cologne, Germany
Amongst the World’s greatest musical composers. He was taught by his father, Johann and by composer Christian Gottlob Neefe. He gave his 1st concert at the age of seven and at 21 moved to Vienna, where he established himself as a Virtuoso
At the age of 30, his hearing began to deteriorate.
Manny Pacquiao
Birth: 17 Dec 1978 in Kibawe, Philippines
He is the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. Counted among the greatest boxers in the world. Voted by the BWAA as the “Fighter of the Decade” in 2010. He is also a member of the House of Representatives in the Philippines.
Pope Francis
Birth: 17 Dec 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jorge Mario Bergoglio succeeded Pope Benedict XVI to the Papacy on March 13, 2013. He comes from humble beginnings in Argentina, born to Italian parents who immigrated to Argentina to escape the regime of Benito Mussolini
First Flight by the Wright Brothers
Event: 17 Dec 1903 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
While not the first to test experimental flying machines, the Wright Brothers were the first to create and fly a sustained aircraft that could be effectively controlled by its pilot.
Similar (but more advanced) aircraft controls are still used today.
2nd Lt Shamsher Singh Samra MVC
Death: 17 Dec 1971 in Uthila, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Indian army officer (8 Guards), he single handedly destroyed a medium machine gun post and although wounded, he rushed onto the next bunker and paid with his life during the 1971 Bangladesh War. He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra (P).
Lance Naik Shangara Singh MVC
Death: 17 Dec 1971 in Amritsar, Punjab, India
Indian army soldier (2 Sikh), he single handedly destroyed two machine gun positions with grenades, to capture Pul Kanjri in the operations after the ceasefire. He died victorious, and was awarded Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous).
Sheikh Hasina Rescued by Army
Event: 17 Dec 1971 in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(Bangladesh) A day after the liberation and surrender, the family of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was rescued by an Indian army team led by Maj Ashok Tara. His wife, two daughters (including Sheikh Hasina) and son were captive since March.
Simo Hayha
The most successful sniper in history
Sheikh Hasina rescued by Indian Army – a group of Pak soldiers guarding the First Family, were shooting at random, when Major AK Tara at great risk to his own life, walked up to them and successfully persuaded them to release the captives.
Lt Shamsher Singh Samra, and LN Shangara Singh were pushed into battle after a signed-surrender and unilateral ceasefire (16 Dec). Was it necessary to sacrifice soldiers?
Today We Remember 