History Today August 23 brings together moments that shaped science, politics, and psychology and on this day in 2023, India landed Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole. In 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became India’s first deputy prime minister. In 1966, NASA gave the world its first view of Earth from the Moon. And in 1973, a bank robbery in Stockholm introduced the world to the term “Stockholm syndrome.”
Chandrayaan-3 makes history
On 23 August 2023, India achieved a milestone in space. Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole, and this made India the fourth country to land on the Moon, after the US, Soviet Union, and China. But India was the first to reach the south pole, an area that may hold large reserves of water ice.
This success came after years of effort. Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 found water molecules on the Moon while Chandrayaan-2 in 2019 lost its lander, but its orbiter still works. Learning from failure, ISRO built Chandrayaan-3 with stronger systems and no orbiter of its own, relying on Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter.
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The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover carried instruments to study soil, detect moonquakes, and record surface temperatures. They confirmed elements like sulfur and iron on the Moon. The mission cost about ₹615 crore, or $75 million, which is less than many Hollywood movies.
Millions of Indians watched live as the lander touched down at 6:04 pm IST. ISRO scientists celebrated as Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined virtually from the Bricks summit. He called it a success for humanity. The mission not only advanced science but also inspired students across India.
Patel becomes deputy prime minister
On 23 August 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was appointed India’s first deputy prime minister and known as the Iron Man of India, Patel played a key role in uniting over 500 princely states into the Union. He also served as Home Minister and managed internal security after Partition. His leadership helped stabilize the nation in its early days.
First photo of Earth from the Moon
On 23 August 1966, NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 1 sent back the first photograph of Earth from the Moon. The image showed Earth as a small crescent in space. It gave people a new perspective of our planet and later inspired famous images like “Earthrise” and “Blue Marble.”
The Stockholm syndrome case
On 23 August 1973, a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden shocked the world. Armed criminals held four people hostage for six days. Instead of hating their captors, the hostages began sympathizing with them. This reaction became known as “Stockholm syndrome.” The case changed how psychologists studied trauma and human behavior.
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History Today August 23 reminds us of India’s space achievements, Patel’s leadership, NASA’s space milestones, and the complexity of the human mind.
