What’s Happening Today?

Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha, Arabic for Festival of the Sacrifice, is the latter of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. It honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God's command. Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead.

World Chess Day. The General Assembly of the United Nations designated July 20 as World Chess Day to commemorate the date of the formation of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924. The Day not only recognizes the important role of the FIDE in supporting international cooperation for chess activity and aiming to improve friendly harmony among all peoples of the world, but also to provide an important platform to foster, dialogue, solidarity and culture of peace.

What Happened Today?

1.    In 1885,  The Football Association legalized professionalism in association football under pressure from the British Football Association. More than 30 clubs, predominantly from the north, announced that they would set up a rival British Football Association if the FA did not permit professionalism. 18 months later the FA relented, and in July 1885 professionalism was formally legalised in England.

2.    In 1973, Chinese actor Bruce Lee died at the age of 32. There was no visible external injury, however, according to autopsy reports, Lee's brain had swollen considerably.  Lee is considered by commentators, critics, media, and other martial artists to be the most influential martial artist of all time.

3.    In 2015, the United States and Cuba resumed full diplomatic relations after five decades.

Birthdays

1.    1947 – Carlos Santana, legendary Mexican-American guitarist.

2.    1973 – Michael Ezra Mulyoowa, one of the wealthiest Africans. He is the owner of SunSpace International, a holding company registered in the Seychelles, and a founding patron of the Ezra Track Team Board, a sports philanthropic financing and talent search agency.

Sources: Wikipedia, nationaldaycalendar.com & un.org

The Indian Express