Important pictures in from the history of March 13.

This Day in History: March 13

Birth of Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley was an 18th-century English scientist, philosopher, and theologian. He was born on March 13, 1733, near Leeds, England. Priestley is credited with discovering the process of artificially producing oxygen through the decomposition of mercuric oxide. He also identified and characterized several other gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Priestley’s work significantly contributed to the understanding of chemistry and the nature of gases. His experiments on the properties of different gases paved the way for the modern understanding of chemistry.

Birth of Burgula Ramakrishna Rao

Burgula Ramakrishna Rao was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, politician, and lawyer. He was born on March 13, 1899, in Padakal village near Kalvakurti in present-day Telangana, India. Rao played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and served as the first Chief Minister of Hyderabad State after its integration into the Indian Union in 1956. He was known for his advocacy of social justice and his efforts to uplift the marginalized sections of society. Rao’s contributions to the political and social landscape of India are widely recognized and remembered.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 12

Srinivasa Chakravarti was born

Srinivasa Chakravarti Venkata Srinivasa Ranga Raghavacharyulu, commonly known as Srinivasa Chakravarti, was a renowned Telugu playwright, journalist, and translator. He was born on March 13, 1911, in Agrahara, Hanumanthapuram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Chakravarti made significant contributions to Telugu literature, particularly in the field of drama. His works, such as “Vignana Sarvasvam,” are considered classics in Telugu drama. He also wrote extensively on acting, producing a notable treatise titled “Abhinayam”. Chakravarti’s translations of works from various languages into Telugu enriched the literary landscape of the region.

Launch of Arjuna Award

The Arjuna Award, instituted by the Government of India, is one of the highest honours bestowed upon athletes for their outstanding achievements in sports. Established in 1961, the award recognizes excellence in various sporting disciplines. In addition to the prestigious honour, recipients of the Arjuna Award receive a cash prize, which has been increased to Rs 5,00,000 in recent years. The eligibility criteria for the award have evolved over time, now emphasizing not only sporting talent but also exemplary discipline and conduct on and off the field.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 11

Other Historical Events on March 13

1940: Indian revolutionary Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’Dwyer in London as retribution for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

1774: The first postal service office in India was opened.

1781: German astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, initially mistaking it for a comet.

1808: Following the death of Christian VII, Frederick VI ascended to the throne as King of Denmark, prompting Denmark to declare war on Sweden the next day.