History Today: When ex-Indian Army chief Sam Manekshaw breathed his last

One of the most decorated officers of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw bid adieu to the world on June 27, 2008. Revered as ‘Sam Bahadur’, Manekshaw served the Indian Army for over four decades and played a pivotal role in shaping its modern legacy.

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.

America witnessed a technological milestone on this day in 1951, with the first-ever colour television broadcast in the country. On this day in 1871, Japan officially adopted the yen as its national currency.

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Here is all that happened on this day.

Sam Manekshaw breathed his last

It was on June 27, 2008, that the distinguished officer of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw passed away at the age of 94. Affectionately known as ‘Sam Bahadur’, he died at the Military Hospital in Tamil Nadu’s Wellington due to complications from pneumonia.

Born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar, he was among the first batch of cadets to graduate from the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in 1934. He served with distinction in World War II and rose through the ranks over the years with his trademark wit, courage and integrity.

His most defining achievement came as the Chief of the Army Staff during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw's strategic brilliance , unwavering resolve and charismatic leadership were instrumental in India’s decisive victory. Under his command, the Indian forces achieved a swift and overwhelming triumph, leading to the surrender of nearly 93,000 Pakistani troops.

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In recognition of his extraordinary service and contributions, Sam Manekshaw was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in January 1973, becoming the first Indian Army officer to achieve this highest honorary rank. He was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, India’s second and third-highest civilian awards, respectively.

After retirement, he lived a quiet life in Coonoor. Despite his immense contributions, controversy surrounded the lack of national recognition at his passing as no top government leaders attended his funeral, drawing criticism from many quarters.

Japan adopted the Yen

History was scripted on June 27, 1871, in Japan after the country adopted the yen as its national currency. This marked a major step in the country’s economic modernisation during the Meiji Restoration. With this move, Japan aimed to unify its fragmented monetary system and bring it in line with international standards.

Before the Yen’s introduction, Japan had a complex and decentralised currency system, with various feudal domains issuing their own notes and coins. The Meiji government introduced the New Currency Act of 1871 which sought to replace this patchwork system with a consistent currency, mirroring the decimal systems prevalent in Western nations. The Yen was defined as 1.5 grams of gold or 24.26 grams of silver, establishing a clear value and facilitating international trade.

The name “yen” (meaning “round object” in Japanese) reflected the coin’s shape and followed the naming convention of other Asian currencies like the Chinese yuan and Korean won. The adoption of the yen helped in Japan’s transformation from a feudal society into a modern industrial state. The coins were minted at the newly established Osaka Mint while banknotes were also introduced shortly after .

In the decades that followed, the yen evolved through wars, inflation, and economic reforms. After World War II, it was fixed to the US dollar under the Bretton Woods system and later became a floating currency in 1973. Today, the yen is one of the most traded and trusted currencies in the world.

First colour TV broadcast in US

One of the path-breaking discoveries in the history of American television took place on this day in 1951. The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) aired the first commercial colour broadcast in the United States. The program, a musical variety special simply titled “Premiere,” aired over a network of five East Coast CBS affiliates.

The broadcast was made from CBS’s New York City studio and transmitted to a small group of specially equipped colour television sets in Washington, DC, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Premiere featured appearances by CBS stars such as Arthur Godfrey, Ed Sullivan, and Garry Moore and included musical performances, comedy and variety segments. All of these were designed to showcase the possibilities of colour television.

This landmark moment came after years of research and development. CBS’s colour system, based on a mechanical rotating disk technology, was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier that year. However, it was not compatible with existing black-and-white TVs, which limited its reach and led to resistance from other networks and manufacturers.

Eventually, a competing electronic colour system developed by Radio Corporation of America (RCA), which was compatible with black-and-white TVs, became the industry standard by 1953. While CBS’s June 27, 1951, broadcast was short-lived in its immediate impact, it remains a historic milestone.

This Day, That Year

• On this day in 1977, Djibouti gained its independence from France.

• During World War I Greece declared war on the Central Powers on June 27, 1917.

• In 1844, the founder of the Mormon church Joseph Smith, was murdered by an armed mob in Carthage, Illinois.