 "History Today: When India lost Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of politics")
August 16, 2018, is a sombre day in Indian history as former Indian Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away. At the time of his passing he was 93 years old.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today , will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
Usain Bolt set the record for the fastest 100-metre dash on this day in 2009 at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. The ‘King of Rock and Roll’, Elvis Presley, passed away on August 16, 1977.
Here is all that happened on this day.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away
Former Prime Minister of India and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018, at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. Aged 93, he had been battling prolonged illness for several months prior to his death.
Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, went on to become a towering figure in Indian politics. He was known for his oratory, statesmanship, and ability to bridge political divides. A founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he served as Prime Minister three times - briefly in 1996, then from 1998 to 2004. He was the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term as the Prime Minister.
During his tenure, Vajpayee oversaw the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests, asserted India’s strategic capabilities, and pursued peace initiatives with Pakistan. His leadership also steered India through the 1999 Kargil War and economic reforms that spurred growth.
News of his death sparked national mourning. The Indian government declared a seven-day state mourning, with the national flag flown at half-mast. Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, paid heartfelt tributes, calling him a ’true Bharat Ratna’ - the country’s highest civilian honour.
Usain Bolt set a record for the fastest 100-metre dash
On this day in 2009, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt stunned the world by setting a new world record in the men’s 100-metre dash at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. Clocking an astonishing 9.58 seconds, Bolt shattered his own previous record of 9.69 seconds, set exactly one year earlier at the Beijing Olympics.
Bolt’s explosive start and long strides quickly left his rivals behind, making it clear by the halfway point that a new record was imminent. His raw speed and technique allowed him to run each 10-meter split faster than any sprinter before, with analysts noting his average speed was 37.58 km/h (23.35 mph) and his peak was around 44.72 km/h (27.8 mph).
Known as the “Lightning Bolt,” he had already become a global icon for his charismatic personality, showmanship, and ability to deliver record-breaking performances under pressure. The crowd at the Olympia stadium erupted in celebration, aware they had witnessed a performance that redefined the limits of human speed.
Elvis Presley passed away
The 'King of Rock and Roll' Elvis Presley died at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 42 on this day in 1977.
That afternoon, Presley’s girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor. Despite frantic attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital. The official cause was cardiac arrest, though toxicology reports later revealed the presence of multiple prescription drugs in his system, contributing to the heart failure.
Emerging in the mid-1950s, he revolutionised music with his fusion of rock, blues, gospel, and country, breaking racial barriers in the process. With hits like Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, and Suspicious Minds, he sold over a billion records and became a symbol of charisma, rebellion, and showmanship.
News of his death sent shockwaves worldwide. Thousands of fans flocked to Graceland to pay tribute, and radio stations across America played his music nonstop. His funeral, held on August 18, drew a massive crowd, with an estimated 80,000 people lining the streets.
This Day, That Year
In 1960, the island of Cyprus achieved independence from Britain and became a republic.
The first issue of Sports Illustrated was released in 1954.
American baseball legend Babe Ruth died in 1948.
With inputs from agencies
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