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The martyrdom of Guru Arjun Sahib, the fifth Guru of the Sikh faith, is observed each year to mark the last time he was seen, June 16, 1606, after five days of torture. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered the torturing of Sikh gurus after their preaching resulted in conversions. As part of his torture, Guru Arjan Dev sat on a burning hot sheet while hot sand poured over him. On the fifth day, his torturers took him to the river, where he disappeared.

Africa

Jun

Sea Turtle Day, World: June 16

06:20 AM | -

Sea Turtles live much of their early life at sea, not returning to nesting grounds for up to 20 years after hatching. A group of different turtles, sea turtle species can range from about 70cm/40kg to the giant leatherback at 180cm and 500kg. Sea turtles don't have teeth, and only one out of every 1,000 born survive to adulthood. Sea turtles can swim thousands of miles in most oceans worldwide. The biggest threat to their existence is humans when hunted for food or through the plastic waste we discard in the oceans. Plastic bags resemble jellyfish, which turtles eat, and other waste forms barricades, making it impossible for hatchlings to reach the sea. Currently, six of the seven species are threatened. World Sea Turtle Day is a global awareness campaign highlighting the conservation of these gentle giants and the threats of human activity, specifically plastic, to their existence.

Africa

Jun

Shaheedi Arjan Dev (S) (1606) : June 16

06:20 AM | -

Today is the anniversary of the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib, who was born on what would today be May 2, 1563, in the Gregorian calendar. Arjan was the fifth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism, achieving that title on September 16, 1581. He was assassinated on June 16, 1606, and was the first Sikh guru martyred. Guru Arjan Dev Ji is noted for: a) Compiling the hymnal foundation of the Guru Granth Sahib b) Contributing 2218 hymns to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib c) Authoring Sukhmani Sahib Bani (Prayer for Peace) d) Compiling the Adi Granth (Sikh Bible) e) Building the Golden Temple f) Developing the Amritsar g) Founding the Masund system

Africa

Jun

Smell Day, World.: June 16

06:20 AM | -

World Smell Day began in 1988 and celebrates the sense of smell. Dr. George Dodd is the founder and driving force behind World Smell Day (WSD). "On World Smell Day, our olfactory abilities are celebrated in prose, poetry, music, and of course, through scents and aromas. It is a day pregnant with Joycean possibilities and an appreciation of Leopold Bloom's love of scents and aromas."—George Dodd.

Africa

Jun

Veggies Day, Fresh: June 16

06:20 AM | -

Fresh Veggies Day is kicking off the summer harvest season, a reminder to indulge in the bounty of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Try a salad for lunch or eggplant for dinner. Bake some radishes in orange sauce (you’ll be surprised how good they taste). Today, try something new you’ve never eaten before too. You just may be surprised and find a new favorite.

Africa

Jun

Youth Day (ZA)(1976): June 16

06:20 AM | -

Youth Day in South Africa marks the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. The Soweto Uprising, also known as the Soweto Rebellion, was a series of protests led by black South African students on June 16, 1976, in the township of Soweto, located in the southwestern part of Johannesburg, South Africa. The uprising was a turning point in the country's struggle against apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994. The uprising began as a protest against implementing the Bantu Education Act of 1953, which promoted racial segregation in the education system and reinforced the inferior quality of education for black students. The immediate trigger for the protests was the government's decision to enforce the use of Afrikaans, along with English, as the medium of instruction in African schools. Many black South Africans viewed Afrikaans as the oppressor's language to marginalize their culture and identity further. On June 16, 1976, an estimated 20,000 students took to the streets in a peaceful protest, marching toward the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. The police responded with tear gas and live ammunition, leading to widespread violence and chaos. An estimated 176 people were killed, with some sources suggesting the death toll may have been as high as 700. Many more were injured, and thousands were arrested. The Soweto Uprising sparked protests and unrest throughout South Africa, drawing international attention to the apartheid regime and its oppressive policies and creating a pivotal moment in the country's fight against apartheid. The events of June 16 are commemorated annually as Youth Day, a public holiday in South Africa.

Africa

Jun

Eid al-Adha (M): June 16/17

06:20 AM | -

Eid al-Adha is one of the two religious holidays observed by Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the obedience of Abraham to God when He commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael at Mount Moriah. But, the angel Jibra’il (Gabrial) stopped him at the last minute. Eid al-Adha is a significant holiday in Islamic majority nations and often lasts five days. The celebration begins with a prayer and then with a sermon. Eid al-Adha is part of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Also called the Feast of Sacrifice, it is on this day that Muslims buy udhiya or asqurbani, usually a goat or a sheep, for the sacrifice. The animal is killed, and the meat is divided into three parts. One part is given to relatives, the second to neighbors, and the family keeps the third. If you are Christian or Jewish, you’re probably doing a double-take at those mentioned above. Rest assured, the above is not a typo. In Islam, it is Ishmael portrayed in the story. In Christianity and Judaism, it is Isaac. The importance of this goes to lineage and the prophet Mohammed. Jesus is descended from Abraham through Isaac. Mohammed from Abraham through Ishmael. Isaac and Ishmael have the same father but different mothers. The story of the sacrifice, which Eid al-Adha celebrates, is one of the key departure points of the three faiths of the Book. How Jesus Christ is defined, and the resurrection is another. The Jewish faith believes Jesus was simply a rabbi (teacher), nothing more. The Muslims believe He was a prophet but was not killed on the cross; instead, God replaced Him with another man before He died, which means He was not resurrected. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah promised to Abraham and the Israelites and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. He was sacrificed on the cross and resurrected three days later. All three faiths follow the first five books of the Old Testament. Each, however, has its different interpretations of it. Eid al-Adha is an example of an event interpreted differently by the three faiths, and it is celebrated in Islam, but not Christianity or Judaism.

Africa

Jun

Apple Strudel Day, Ntl.: June 17

06:20 AM | -

If you love apple strudel, Apple Strudel Day is for you. In celebration of this sweet, strudel competitions abound with awards for the best recipe given. This sweet pastry originated in Vienna, Austria. The pastry pocket is filled with apples, sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and breadcrumbs, then baked and served warm with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Africa

Jun

Bunker Hill Day (US-MA)(1775): June 17

06:20 AM | -

The Battle of Bunker Hill occurred over three weeks during the Siege of Boston, before the Declaration of Independence in the American colonies and in the early days of the Revolutionary War. It began on June 17, 1775. The Americans were underrepresented and needed more ammunition. Because of this, the famous battle command "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes" became part of American history. The British won the battle, though with high casualties. Its importance in American history remains in its impact on the colonists' morale. It proved they could fight the most powerful military in the world and hold their own. George Washington would take command of the colonial army three weeks later. Ultimately, the Americans would win the war, but it would take eight years to do it. Bunker Hill Day is a state holiday in Massachusetts.

Africa

Jun

Combat Decertification & Drought, World Day of: June 17

06:20 AM | -

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an awareness campaign sponsored by United Nations. It aims to prevent desertification (where fertile land turns into a desert) and find ways to improve drought conditions worldwide. Officially recognized by the organization on January 30, 1995, under the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/115, each year's event has a different theme.

Africa

Jun

Independence Day (IS)(1944): June 17

06:20 AM | -

On June 17, 1944, Iceland gained its independence from Denmark. Independence Day is its national holiday celebrating this event.

Africa

Jun

Mascot Day, Ntl.: June 17

06:20 AM | -

Mascots have been around since the mid-nineteenth century and often serve as ambassadors for sports teams, municipalities, and brands beginning in the 20th century. The word comes from the original French "mascotte' which means 'lucky charm,' or can also refer to a female sorceress. The New York Times was responsible for the spelling of mascot when it published the word, with one 't,' about baseball player Charlie Gallager's teeth and his pension for superstition on June 20, 1886. Unsurprisingly, these symbols, whether furry, feathery, scaled, or human, should find their day. Alas, we can't figure out why June 17 is the date. The baseball player Charlie Gallager was born in April and died June 23.1924. The Chicago Times first mentioned the word mascot concerning sports on June 18, 1886. It could be about Handsome Dan, Yale's bulldog mascot, the first of its kind and one of 17 known bulldog mascots. Whatever the reason, one thing is sure. National Mascot Day has no mascot.

Africa

Jun

Meow Monday, Take Your Cat to Work Day: June 17

06:20 AM | -

Meow Monday is held annually by Pet Sitters International in the US and encourages Americans to bring their cats to work for the day. It also kicks off National Take Your Pet to Work Week, which concludes with Fido Friday—Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Africa

Jun

Organic Act Day, (VI): June 17

06:20 AM | -

Organic Act Day celebrates the June 22, 1954, issuance of the Revised Organic Act defining the governance of the US Virgin Islands. This state holiday occurs on the third Monday in June.

Africa