What makes June 21 special? Much more than #InternationalYogaDay
What's the story
The United Nations started observing June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2015 and it has since been used to promote a healthy lifestyle. But the longest day of the year has other feats attached to it. From being the day influential personalities, including Edward Snowden, were born to the World Music Day, here's looking at what makes June 21 so special.
Celebrate music
The perfect therapy: Today is also the World Music Day
June 21 is also the World Music Day, which originated after French Culture Minister Jack Lang first celebrated it in 1982. Since then, the World Music Day celebrates music and all things related to it. To mark the day, 150 artists from over 16 countries will be performing at different venues in Udaipur, today. So, buffs dedicate today to basking in music's glory.
Magic, magic!
Interestingly, June 21 also has a Harry Potter connection
On June 21, 2003, author JK Rowling's 'Harry Potter and Order of Phoenix' was released. The fifth book of the Harry Potter series was much-awaited by bookworms around the globe. Upon its release, Amazon.com sold one million copies of the longest book in the series, a record in e-commerce. In total, five million copies were sold in the first 24 hours of publication.
Looking back
Benazir Bhutto, Prince William, Edward Snowden were born today
June 21 is also the day when influential personalities were born. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was born on June 21, 1953. England's Prince William was born today in the year 1982. Edward Snowden, former CIA employee, was born on June 21, 1983. Further, singer Lana Del Ray was born on June 21, 1985, and actor Chris Patt on June 21, 1979.
This day
#ThisDayThatYear: PV Narsimha Rao became India's ninth Prime Minister
On June 21, PV Narsimha Rao became India's Prime Minister in 1991, after his predecessor Rajiv Gandhi was killed. He was India's ninth PM. Rao, born to a humble Brahmin family, continued to stay in office till May 16, 1996. He was the first PM outside the Nehru-Gandhi clan to complete his term in office. He passed away on December 23, 2004.