In 1956 Nagpur, Ambedkar and 500,000 supporters convert to Buddhism.
Today is a very significant day in India for millions of erstwhile untouchables. It happened precisely 65 years ago today. Dr. BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, made a life-changing choice on October 14, 1956. Ambedkar's death anniversary is known as Mahaparinirvana Diwas because of his reputation as a Buddhist leader. Ambedkar, a member of the Mahar caste, which was deemed untouchable in Hinduism, turned to Buddhism after years of study.
Related On This Day
The Great Dictator, a satirical social commentary film directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, was released in 1940.
2020 A copy of William Shakespeare's First Folio sells at auction for a record $9.98 million in New York.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German writer, artist, and politician, marries mistress Christiane Vulpius at Weimar in 1806.
Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor of India (1556-1605), was born in Umerkot, Sindh, in 1542.
Mata Hari, a Dutch dancer, courtesan, and convicted German WWI spy, was killed by firing squad in 1917 at the age of 41.
Hema Malini, an Indian actress, politician, director, and producer, was born on October 16, 1948.
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France (1774-92), who supposedly uttered the words "let them eat cake," was executed in 1793 at the age of 37.
Lionel Messi, at 17, makes his league debut for FC Barcelona in a 1-0 win over cross-town rivals Espanyol at the Estadi Olmpic Llus Companys in Barcelona in 2004.