Today in history !

By the way... If you see this post on a day other than December 26th, you should have understood by now that we are actually speaking about December 26th :p (Sad one ain't it ???). So what's making me write something about December 26th? Is it such a significant day that theres something to write about it?

A simple google returned me with this on top :-

December 26th in History

1898: Radium, the radioactive element, discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie

December 26th birthdays

1716: Thomas Gray, English Poet

1891: Henry Miller, US novellist
1893: Mao Tse-tung, Chinese communist leader

1963:Lars Ulrich; Drummer, MetallicA

Well its not all of birthdays, fun and many more "days" that this day is known for. Something more thought provoking, something more depressive, something more saddening, and even more wrecking has happened on this day. It turned out to be one of the "most-searched" words of Google. It turned out to be the merciless devil that gulped thousands of innocent souls for no reason of theirs. Its the satan that blinded lakhs of people in their lives and the one that made them lifeless, homeless and penniless. Its the natural demon that none ever imagined would sound so loud and hard.

It was the unthinkable. The unexpected. The unimaginable. And the worst natural disaster that ever hit the human race in the modern history.

Yes.

Its the Tsunami.

Excerpts from Wikipedia :

"In May 2005, scientists reported that the earthquake itself lasted close to ten minutes when most major earthquakes last no more than a few seconds; it caused the entire planet to vibrate at least a few centimetres."

"The slip did not happen instantaneously but took place in two phases over a period of several minutes. Seismographic and acoustic data indicate that the first phase involved the formation of a rupture about 400 km (250 mi) long and 100 km (60 mi) wide, located 30 km (19 mi) beneath the sea bed - the longest rupture ever known to have been caused by an earthquake. The rupture proceeded at a speed of about 2.8 km/s (1.7 mi/s) or 10,000 km/h (6,300 mph), beginning off the coast of Aceh and proceeding north-westerly over a period of about 100 seconds. A pause of about another 100 seconds took place before the rupture continued northwards towards the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the northern rupture occurred more slowly than in the south, at about 2.1 km/s (4,700 mph), continuing north for another five minutes to a plate boundary"

"The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake came just three days after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake in an uninhabited region west of New Zealand, and north of Australia. This is unusual, since earthquakes of magnitude 8 or more occur only about once per year on average"

December 26th is also known as "Boxing Day". Unfortunately, there is a great dispute over the true origins of this "Day". Apart from being observed as a public holiday in nations like South Africa, it is also often celebrated by giving gifts and donations to the poor and needy in certain countries like the United Kingdom. While some give a religious attachment to this day (because its the first week day which follows Christmas), certain Commonwealth countries observe this day as the day when excess Christmas Inventory is sold out at cheaper prices. Nations like Australia and New Zealand also give a "game and sport" attachment to this day by playing a cricket test match in the Basin Reserve (Wellington) and by conducting a Yacht Race in Sydney.The sad thing, apparently, is that theres absolutely no relation between "Boxing" and "Boxing Day".

Quite an interesting day, ain't it?

Oh... by the way.. its also the day when the writer of this modest blog stepped banging on this stupendous world. Its my birthday too :p. So please wish for me. And please wish that all your wishes transform into magical mantras and take shape in my wallet. :p