December 21 stands as a remarkable date on the calendar, a day that commemorates a fascinating blend of global milestones and the enduring legacies of influential Indian personalities. This date serves as a mirror to themes of human progress, boundless creativity, and unwavering courage, connecting pioneering events in entertainment and media with the birth of indomitable social movements that shaped India's destiny.
Groundbreaking Global Events on December 21
The day's historical significance is marked by two iconic moments in global popular culture. On December 21, 1913, the world was introduced to a new form of intellectual entertainment when Arthur Wynne's first-ever crossword puzzle was published in the New York World newspaper. Originally called a "word-cross," this diamond-shaped puzzle laid the foundation for a beloved pastime enjoyed by millions.
Exactly 24 years later, on December 21, 1937, cinema history was made at the Carthay Circle Theatre. Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered, becoming the first full-length animated feature film in colour with synchronised sound. This cinematic gamble redefined family entertainment and ushered in a new golden era for animation, proving to be a monumental critical and commercial triumph.
Celebrating Indian Luminaries: Birth Anniversaries
December 21 is also a day to honour the birth of several Indian visionaries whose contributions span social reform, governance, and cinema.
Sunderlal Sharma (1881-1940), born on this day, is revered as the 'Gandhi of Chhattisgarh'. A poet, historian, social worker, and freedom fighter, he was a pioneering force for social revolution and public awareness in the region. His legacy is immortalised through the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Open University in Chhattisgarh.
Another key social reformer, Thakur Pyarelal Singh (1891-1954), also shares this birth date. He initiated the Shramik Movement and led the Co-operative Movement in Chhattisgarh. He famously led a successful 37-day strike by mill workers in Rajnandgaon in 1920 and was an active participant in the Non-Cooperation and Satyagraha movements, for which he faced imprisonment.
In the realm of contemporary public service, Sanjiv Chaturvedi (born 1974), a 2002 batch Indian Forest Service officer, was born on December 21. He was honoured with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2015 for his relentless efforts in exposing corruption in the public sector, becoming only the second serving Indian bureaucrat to receive this award after Kiran Bedi.
The world of Bollywood celebrates the birthday of the iconic actor Govinda (born 1963). Rising to superstardom in the 1990s, Govinda, known for his impeccable comic timing and electrifying dance moves, starred in over 120 Hindi films. He delivered massive hits like Raja Babu and Coolie No. 1, cementing his place as one of the era's most beloved entertainers.
Remembering Legacy: Death Anniversaries
The day also marks the passing of notable figures. Teji Bachchan (1914-2007), the wife of renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and mother of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, passed away on December 21. A talented individual with a passion for acting and singing during her college years, she was a devoted spiritual follower.
The world also bid farewell to Bruce McCandless II (1937-2017), the pioneering US astronaut, on this date. He is eternally remembered for executing the first untethered spacewalk in 1984 using the Manned Manoeuvring Unit (MMU), an iconic moment that produced one of the most celebrated images in the history of space exploration.
Reviewing the tapestry of events and lives associated with December 21 allows us to appreciate how the ideas and actions of the past have intricately woven the fabric of our present. From puzzles and animated dreams to social reforms and stellar achievements, this date continues to inspire and pave the way for the future.
