April 16 is an important date in the history of the India and world. On this day one of the greatest rail systems of world started its first journey; it was also the day of birth of pioneers in the fields of aviation and cinema. To understand what is so special about today in history, we have to examine the technological, political, and cultural developments that took place during the centuries.
The first passenger train in India was operated between Bori Bunder and Thane on April 16, 1853. This was the birth of Indian Railways. Other historical events on this day are the birth of Charlie Chaplin in 1889, the return of Vladimir Lenin to Russia in 1917, and the launch of the Apollo 16 moon mission in 1972.
This Day in History
Let us look at the events and happenings around the world that took place on this day in history.
First Passenger Train in India, 1853
Indian Railways started its journey on April 16, 1853. It was on this day in 1853 that a passenger train first ran between Bori Bunder, in Mumbai to Thane. The Bori Bunder is today the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
The train travelled a distance of 34 kilometers (21 miles). 400 people were invited and there were 14 carriages in the train. The train was pulled by three steam locomotives. They were called Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan.
Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of India during this time. He is referred to as the father of the Indian Railways. This 75-minute journey changed the economy of India forever. It enabled quicker transportation of goods and people within the subcontinent.
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Wilbur Wright Was Born, 1867
American aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright was born on Milville, Indiana on 16th April, 1867.
Charlie Chaplin Was Born, 1889
The most famous personality born on April 16 was Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, known as Charlie Chaplin. He was born in London in 1889. Chaplin became a global icon through his screen persona, "The Tramp."
He was an innovator of the silent film era. His career was over 75 years. He was not only an actor but also a director, composer, and producer.
Chaplin's films often used comedy to comment on social and political issues. His 1940 film, The Great Dictator, was a brave parody of Adolf Hitler.
First Woman To Fly Across The English Channel, 1912
The American aviator Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly across the English Channel, guiding her airplane from Dover, England, to Hardelot, France in 1912.
Lenin Returns From Exile, 1917
In 1917, Vladimir Lenin returned to Petrograd, Russia, after years of exile. He arrived at the Finland Station in a sealed train provided by Germany. This event is a pillar of modern political history.
Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party. His return occurred during the Russian Revolution. Upon his arrival, he delivered a speech that became known as the April Theses. He called for "Peace, Land, and Bread."
This move directly led to the October Revolution later that year. It resulted in the fall of the provisional government. The Soviet Union was eventually established as a result of the events set in motion on this day.
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Apollo 16 Mission, 1972
Apollo 16, the fifth of six U.S. lunar landing missions, was successfully launched on its 238,000-mile journey to the moon from the Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Campus Shootout at Virginia Tech, 2007
33 people, including the shooter, lost their lives in one of the deadliest mass shootings in the history of the USA. This event occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. 27 students and 5 faculty members lost their lives in the shootout, and the shooter Seung-Hui Cho died by self-inflicted gunshot wound later.
Kendrick Lamar Wins Pulitzer For Music, 2018
Kendrick Lamar became the first musician outside the genres of classical and Jazz to win the Pulitzer Prize in 2018.
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