This Day in History: February 13

Sarojini Naidu Jayanti (February 13, 1879 – March 2, 1949)

Sarojini Naidu, freedom fighter and poet, was born on 13th February 1879. She went on to become the first woman president of the All India Congress Mahasabha in 1925. She also created a record as the first female Governor in India. Sarojini Naidu is not only a great freedom fighter in the history of India, but also a great political leader, who has remained in the hearts of the Telugu people. Moreover, she is known as the Nightingale of India.

New Delhi becomes the capital of India

New Delhi was designated as the capital of India on 13th February 1931. New Delhi continues to be the capital of India till date.

2010 Pune Bombing

On February 13, 2010, a bomb exploded in ‘German Bakery’ in Pune. 18 people were killed and at least 60 were injured in this attack. Indian intelligence agencies suspect that the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out the attack that shook the country.

World Radio Day

In September 2011 UNESCO issued a statement, following a request by the Spanish Radio Academy, proclaiming February 13 as World Radio Day. The same was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013. In 1946, the United Nations had designated February 13 as the day on which radio was invented.

A few more important events on February 13

• On this day in 1945, Allied forces began bombing the German city of Dresden during World War II. More than 22,000 people died in this.

• In 1960, France detonated its first atomic bomb in the Sahara desert, on this day.

• In 1980, the 13th Winter Olympic Games began in Lake Placid, New York, on February 13.

• On this day in 1996, American rapper Tupac Shakur (2Pac) released his fourth album, All Eyez on Me. It is recognized as his best hip-hop album.