Today Importance - 24th May
24-May-1557
Sikandar Sur was forced to surrender Mankot in Punjab.
24-May-1813
Leader, essayist and journalist Krishna Mohan Bandyopadhyay was born in Bengal.
24-May-1875
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental School in 1920 which was renamed 'Aligarh Muslim University'.
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Today Importance - 25th May
24-May-1903
Bengal's famous poet Hemchandra Bandyopadhyay passed away.
24-May-1933
Hemchandra Tukaram Dani, cricketer (Test Ind v Pak, 1-19, CT 1, DNB), was born in Dudhni, Maharashtra.
24-May-1956
2500th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha is celebrated.
24-May-1960
Dr. Ida Sophie Schroeder, founder of the famous 'Vellore Hospital' passed away in Kodaikanal.
24-May-1990
Surjeet Singh Barnala sworn in as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
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24-May-1990
Former Speaker of Parliament K.S. Hegde died.
24-May-1991
Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India and son of late Indira Gandhi, was cremated in New Delhi today. He was killed three days ago in a suicide bomb attack in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Police suspect Tamil rebels fighting for independence in Sri Lanka to have carried out the killings. Gandhi's death marked the end of the Nehru dynasty in India. His two children were too young to lead the restive nation. Sonia Gandhi was under pressure to succeed her husband, but she was born in Italy and refused.
24-May-1992
Veteran journalist D.R. Bhagwat left.
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Today Importance - 26th May
24-May-1993
India and Uzbekistan have signed five agreements.
24-May-1999
Renowned wrestling coach Dronacharya awardee Guru Hanuman died in a road accident near Meerut.
24-May-2000
The Supreme Court rejected the proposal to sit the bench outside Delhi.
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1x1 Floristik - Vielfalt der Kränze |
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, International Tiara Day
Brother’s Day, Don’t Fry Day
National Scavenger Hunt Day, National Road Trip Day
National Road Trip Day, National Escargot Day
Coeliac Awareness Month, Learning at Work Week
Be Nice to Nettles Week, National Safe Sun Week
Foster Care Fortnight, Epilepsy Awareness Week
National Smile Month, Italian Beef Week
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The Advent of the Gregorian Calendar
The Gregorian calendar, the calendar system in widespread use today, represents one of the most significant advancements in the way humanity measures and organizes time. Introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, it replaced the Julian calendar, which had been in use since 45 BC. The reform was motivated by the need to correct the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar and to ensure the proper timing of Easter. This article explores the historical context, the development, adoption, and lasting impact of the Gregorian calendar, detailing its profound influence on global society.
Historical Context: The Julian Calendar
Before the Gregorian calendar, the Julian calendar, instituted by Julius Caesar, was the predominant system in Europe. The Julian calendar had a year length of 365.25 days, achieved by adding an extra day every four years. This was a significant improvement over the earlier Roman calendar, which was chaotic and irregular. However, the Julian calendar's year was slightly too long compared to the actual solar year, which is approximately 365.2422 days.
This discrepancy, though small, accumulated over centuries, resulting in the calendar drifting out of sync with the solar year by about one day every 128 years. By the 16th century, this drift had caused the spring equinox, which occurred around March 21st during Caesar's time, to fall around March 11th. This misalignment affected the calculation of Easter, which is based on the equinox, leading to calls for calendar reform.
The Need for Reform
The Council of Trent (1545-1563), a major Catholic Church council, highlighted the need to reform the calendar to correct the date of Easter and bring it back in line with the equinox. The council recognized the importance of an accurate calendar for maintaining the religious and liturgical schedule. Pope Gregory XIII took up the challenge to reform the calendar, and with the help of astronomers and mathematicians, most notably the Jesuit Christopher Clavius and the physician Aloysius Lilius, he initiated the development of the Gregorian calendar.
Development of the Gregorian Calendar
The Gregorian calendar introduced several key changes to address the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar:
Leap Year Rule: The Gregorian calendar refined the leap year system of the Julian calendar. While it retained the basic structure of a 365-day year with an extra day every four years, it added a refinement. Only century years divisible by 400 would be leap years. This means that 1600 and 2000 were leap years, but 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not. This adjustment brought the average year length to 365.2425 days, much closer to the actual solar year.
Date Adjustment: To realign the calendar with the solar year and correct the drift, Pope Gregory XIII decreed that ten days be dropped from the calendar. As a result, Thursday, October 4, 1582, was followed by Friday, October 15, 1582. This adjustment ensured that the spring equinox would once again fall around March 21st.
Easter Calculation: The method for determining the date of Easter was also revised. The new system ensured that Easter would fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, maintaining its association with the equinox. READ MORE
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How to Make a Family History Photo Book for Grandad
Creating a family history photo book for Grandad is a wonderful way to preserve memories and honor his legacy. This guide will walk you through the steps of gathering photos, organizing them, and creating a beautiful and meaningful photo book that he will cherish for years to come.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Collect Photos
Start by gathering all the photographs you want to include in the photo book. Reach out to family members to collect old photos from various periods of your grandad’s life. This can include childhood photos, family gatherings, holidays, and other significant events. Both digital and physical photos are valuable.
Scan Physical Photos
For physical photos, use a high-quality scanner to digitize them. Ensure that the scanner is set to a high resolution (at least 300 DPI) to maintain the quality of the images. If you don’t have a scanner, many print shops offer scanning services.
Collect Stories and Memories
In addition to photos, gather stories, anecdotes, and memories from family members. These can add a personal touch and context to the photos. Interviewing relatives can help capture these narratives. Record these stories or ask family members to write them down.
Step 2: Organize Your Content
Chronological Order
One way to organize the photo book is chronologically. Start with your grandad’s earliest photos and progress through the different stages of his life. This method provides a clear timeline of his life’s journey.
Thematic Order
Alternatively, you can organize the book thematically. Themes could include family vacations, holidays, achievements, and everyday life. This approach allows you to group similar events and highlight different aspects of his life.
Create a Storyboard
Before you start placing photos in the book, create a storyboard or outline. This will help you plan the layout and ensure a smooth flow. Decide which photos will go on each page and what stories or captions will accompany them.
Step 3: Choose a Photo Book Service
There are many online services where you can create and print photo books. Some popular ones include:
Shutterfly
Blurb
Snapfish
Mixbook
Research and choose a service that fits your needs in terms of quality, price, and customization options. Most of these services offer templates and tools to help you design the book.
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Step 4: Design the Photo Book
Select a Template
Choose a template from the photo book service. Many services offer templates specifically designed for family history or memory books. Select one that suits the style you’re aiming for.
Upload Photos and Text
Upload the digitized photos and any text (stories, captions) to the photo book service. Most platforms allow you to drag and drop photos into the template.
Layout and Design Tips
Balance: Ensure that each page is balanced in terms of photo placement and text. Avoid overcrowding.
White Space: Don’t be afraid to leave some white space. It makes the book look clean and professional.
Captions: Add captions to provide context to the photos. Captions can be dates, names, places, or brief descriptions.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent style throughout the book. Use the same font and color scheme for all text.
Add Personal Touches
Consider adding personal touches such as:
Handwritten notes: Scan and include handwritten notes or letters.
Maps: Include maps showing significant locations.
Family Tree: Add a family tree diagram to show connections.
Step 5: Review and Edit
Proofread
Carefully proofread all the text for any typos or errors. It’s a good idea to have another family member review it as well.
Check Photo Quality
Ensure that all photos are high-quality and clear. Double-check the resolution and clarity of the images.
Final Adjustments
Make any necessary adjustments to the layout, design, or content. This is your chance to ensure everything is perfect before printing.
Step 6: Print and Present
Order the Photo Book
Once you’re satisfied with the design, place the order with the photo book service. Choose a high-quality paper and binding option to ensure the book is durable and looks professional.
Create a Special Presentation
Think about how you want to present the photo book to your grandad. You could wrap it beautifully and include a heartfelt letter or card. You might also want to gather family members for a special presentation event.
Tips for a Successful Family History Photo Book
Start Early: Give yourself plenty of time to gather materials, design, and make edits. Rushing can lead to mistakes.
Collaborate: Involve other family members in the process. They can provide photos, stories, and feedback.
Preserve Originals: If you’re handling old, delicate photos, ensure they are stored properly to avoid damage.
Backup Digital Files: Keep backups of all digital files in case of data loss.
Tell a Story: Remember, the goal is to tell a story. Make sure the photos and text together create a cohesive narrative of your grandad’s life.
Conclusion
Creating a family history photo book for your grandad is a heartfelt project that can bring joy and nostalgia to him and your entire family. It’s a way to celebrate his life, preserve family history, and create a cherished keepsake. With careful planning, thoughtful organization, and a touch of creativity, you can create a photo book that will be treasured for generations.