 "History Today: When a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Mt Everest, killing nearly 9,000 in Nepal")
April 25 has been a day of devastation for Nepal. It was on this day 10 years ago when the nation was shaken by one of the deadliest earthquakes. The powerful 7.8-magnitude temblor killed nearly 9,000 and left thousands injured.
It was also the day in 1953, when scientists James Watson and Francis Crick first described the structure of DNA, unlocking the code of life and changing the course of biology forever.
Here’s a closer look at the moments that made history on April 25 in Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today .
Powerful earthquake devastates Nepal
At 11:56 am on April 25, 2015, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck Nepal. Its epicentre was near Barpak in the Gorkha District, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu. The quake was the most powerful to hit the country since 1934.
The damage was extensive. Nearly 9,000 people lost their lives, and over 22,000 were injured. More than 600,000 structures were either damaged or reduced to rubble.
Among them were several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, as well as significant religious sites such as the Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas, and the Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan temples.
One of the most widely reported consequences of the quake was the avalanche it triggered on Mount Everest. At the time, many climbers were gathered at the Everest Base Camp during the peak of expedition season. The avalanche claimed at least 22 lives and injured more than 60 others. It was the deadliest incident on the mountain in recorded history.
Beyond the capital and tourist areas, rural communities were also severely affected. Entire villages in remote regions were flattened, and access to these areas was made difficult by landslides and damaged roads. Rescue operations were further hindered by ongoing aftershocks.
The economic impact was also significant, with estimated losses exceeding $5 billion, roughly one-quarter of Nepal’s GDP at the time. In response, the Nepalese government declared a state of emergency and mobilised the army for search and rescue operations.
International support came swiftly. Countries around the world, along with various humanitarian organisations and the United Nations, contributed aid, personnel, and resources.
When DNA structure was described for the first time
On April 25, 1953, scientists James Watson and Francis Crick published a seminal paper in the journal Nature, proposing the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery provided critical insights into how genetic information is stored and transmitted in living organisms.
Their model described DNA as two strands forming a helical structure, with complementary base pairs—adenine pairing with thymine, and guanine with cytosine—held together by hydrogen bonds. This arrangement explained the mechanism. This arrangement explained how DNA replicates and transmits genetic information.
The breakthrough was made possible by the X-ray diffraction images, particularly “Photo 51”, produced by Rosalind Franklin, whose work was instrumental in revealing the helical nature of DNA. However, Franklin did not receive the same recognition as her male counterparts during her lifetime.
In 1962, Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their contributions to understanding the molecular structure of nucleic acids.
The elucidation of DNA’s structure marked the beginning of modern molecular biology, paving the way for advancements in genetics, biotechnology, and medicine.
This day, That year
1859: Construction of the Suez Canal officially began.
1901: New York became the first US state to mandate license plates
1990: Violeta Barrios de Chamorro became Central America’s first female president as she was sworn into office in Nicaragua.
1990: The Hubble Space Telescope was sent into orbit
2021: Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao became the first person of colour to win the Academy Award for best director for Nomadland (2020)
With input from agencies
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