History is something that illuminates the culture and its origin. It also forecasts the awareness and how and when everything evolved and fell into place. It not only helps us trace the origins of the past but also helps us understand it better which leads to an understanding of the present more desirably. We, at Brag Social, try to keep you updated with the happening of past and present through our today column. Let us now read the historical milestones of August 25.
1886 – First international polo meet ( the US vs England)
The first international Polo meet was played under the Westchester Cup in 1886 between the US and England. Throughout its history, it has been played 17 times out of which only four have taken place since World War II. Currently, the cup is held by England who defeated the USA team of Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Polito Pieres, and Mike Azzaro in 2013.
1875 – “Captain” Matthew Webb becomes the first man to swim across the English Channel.
The first man to successfully swim through the English Channel without any assistance was Captain Matthew Webb of Great Britain. Admired for both his prowess in the water and his penchant for risk-taking, Webb officially became an international celebrity. The Englishman completed the feat in 21 hours, 45 minutes crossing the 21-mile strait between England and France in 1875.
1890 – Would be the start of England/Australia Test Cricket at Old Trafford washed out
The Australian side was bowled out cheaply in both the tests as the Oval Test went down to the wire as England squeezed home by two wickets. Yorkshire refused to release Bobby Peel and George Ulyett while Andrew Stoddart opted to play for Middlesex rather than his country. Nutty Martin played only one more test after his debut in which he took 12 for 102, hence the win at the Oval owed much to him. Unfortunately, the final match at Old Trafford was washed out.
1980 – Zimbabwe joins the United Nations
Zimbabwe’s membership application was examined and unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 477. On the recommendation by the Security Council, the General Assembly officially admitted the Republic of Zimbabwe as the 153rd member of the United Nations on the 25th of August, 1980. On behalf of the Zimbabwean government, the membership was accepted on hand by minister Robert Mugabe.
1989 – NASA scientists receive stunning photographs of Neptune and its moons from Voyager 2.
NASA’s Voyager 2 was one of the first spacecraft to observe the planet Neptune closely, which was also one of its final mission targets. It was in summer 1989 when the spacecraft passed 4,950 kilometers (3,000 miles) above Neptune’s north pole and made its closest approach to any planet since leaving Earth 12 years ago. Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune was observed closely by Voyager 2 five hours later after having passed 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) from the moon. Pictures were clicked and sent to the scientists of NASA allowing them to study the last solid body observed by the spacecraft.
1989 – Mayumi Moriyama, formerly head of Japan’s Environmental Agency, becomes Japan’s first female cabinet secretary
Mayumi Moriyama was the first woman to be appointed as the chief Cabinet secretary. She broke all norms by holding the highest government post ever by a woman in a male-dominated society. Along with Cabinet secretary, she was also the director of the Environmental Agency, also a Cabinet position. Her appointment was seen as an attempt to limit the damage caused by the formation of a government just 16 days earlier to remove the scandalous image of the Liberal Democratic Party.
