Tag Archives: 1965

15 February 1965

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The maple leaf is adopted as the flag of Canada, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign flag.

The flag of Canada, commonly known as the Maple Leaf or l’Unifolié (French for “the one-leafed”), is a striking and symbolic national emblem. Officially adopted on February 15, 1965, it features a red field with a white square at its center, bearing a stylized, 11-pointed red maple leaf. The red and white colors are derived from Canada’s historical ties to France and England, with red symbolizing sacrifice and valor, while white represents peace and honesty. The maple leaf, a long-standing symbol of Canada, reflects the nation’s natural beauty and its people’s strength and unity. Designed by George F. G. Stanley and John Matheson, the flag replaced the Red Ensign, marking Canada’s shift toward a more distinct national identity. Today, it stands as a proud representation of Canadian heritage, diversity, and unity.

15 November 1965

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Craig Breedlove sets a land speed record of 600.601 mph (966.574 km/h) in his car, the Spirit of America, at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The world land speed record for a car represents the highest speed achieved on land by a vehicle under controlled conditions and is a thrilling benchmark in automotive engineering and human ambition. As of the current record, set on October 15, 1997, by British Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green, the supersonic car ThrustSSC reached a speed of 763 mph (1,228 km/h), breaking the sound barrier and making it the first car to do so. This record was achieved in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, USA, with ThrustSSC, a jet-powered car designed by Richard Noble and powered by two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines. The record’s legacy stretches back over a century, as drivers and engineers have continuously pushed the boundaries of speed through innovative designs, advanced materials, and increasingly powerful engines. Today, the land speed record remains a formidable challenge, with teams from around the world working on even more powerful, rocket-assisted cars in hopes of surpassing ThrustSSC’s achievement and reaching speeds of 1,000 mph or more.

22 September 1965

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The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 between India and Pakistan over Kashmir ends after the United Nations calls for a ceasefire.

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a significant military conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between August and September 1965. It was the second major war fought between the two countries after their independence from British rule in 1947, and it was primarily driven by the long-standing dispute over the Kashmir region.

Causes of the War:

Territorial Dispute over Kashmir: The central cause of the war was the conflict over the region of Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claimed as their own. The Kashmir issue had been unresolved since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48, resulting in a UN-mediated ceasefire and the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC), but no permanent resolution.

Operation Gibraltar: In early 1965, Pakistan initiated a covert operation called Operation Gibraltar, aimed at infiltrating forces into Indian-administered Kashmir to incite insurgency among the local Muslim population and cause instability. Pakistan believed that the Kashmiri people would rise up against Indian control, leading to an international intervention in its favor.

Escalation of Border Clashes: Initial skirmishes took place in the Rann of Kutch (April 1965) in the southern part of the Indo-Pakistani border, which set the stage for a larger conflict. By August 1965, fighting escalated along the Kashmir border, with India launching retaliatory attacks after Pakistani infiltrations.

16 July 1965

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The Mont Blanc Tunnel linking France and Italy opens.

The Mont Blanc Tunnel is a major highway tunnel in Europe that connects Chamonix, France, with Courmayeur, Italy, passing under the Mont Blanc mountain in the Alps.

Length: The tunnel is approximately 11.6 kilometers (7.2 miles) long.
Construction: It was constructed between 1957 and 1965 and officially opened on July 19, 1965.
Purpose: The tunnel serves as a crucial link for transportation between France and Italy, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers.
Traffic: It is used by a significant amount of road traffic, including cars, trucks, and buses.
Safety and Upgrades: Following a tragic fire in 1999 that resulted in the loss of 39 lives, the tunnel underwent extensive safety upgrades and reopened in 2002 with improved safety measures.
Economic Impact: The tunnel plays an important role in the regional economies by providing a direct route through the Alps, reducing travel time and costs associated with transportation.

The Mont Blanc Tunnel remains one of the major trans-Alpine road tunnels in Europe, contributing significantly to the connectivity between the two countries it links.

6 April 1965

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Launch of Early Bird, the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit.

Early Bird, also known as Intelsat I, was indeed the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit. It was launched on April 6, 1965, by NASA for the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT), which later became Intelsat.

Purpose: Early Bird was designed to relay television, telephone, and telegraph signals between the United States and Europe. Its geosynchronous orbit meant that it stayed fixed relative to a point on Earth, allowing for continuous communication coverage between these regions.

Design and Technology: The satellite was cylindrical in shape, measuring about 76 centimeters (30 inches) in diameter and 170 centimeters (67 inches) in length. It weighed approximately 34 kilograms (75 pounds). Early Bird used a system of microwave relay and ground stations to receive, amplify, and retransmit signals.

Launch and Orbit: Early Bird was launched aboard a Delta D rocket from Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral) in Florida. It was placed into a geosynchronous orbit, specifically positioned over the Atlantic Ocean.

Operational Success: Early Bird was highly successful and revolutionized global communications. It facilitated the transmission of the first live television broadcasts across the Atlantic, including the historic boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston in 1965. It also significantly reduced the time delay in international telephone calls.

Later Operations: Early Bird operated for almost four years, far surpassing its expected operational lifespan of 18 months. It was eventually retired in 1969 but remained in orbit as a backup until 1976.

Legacy: Early Bird’s success paved the way for the development and deployment of subsequent communications satellites. It demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of satellite communication systems, leading to the rapid expansion of global telecommunications networks.

17 September 1965

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The Battle of Chawinda is fought between Pakistan and India.

The Battle of Chawinda was a significant engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. This conflict, also known as the Second Kashmir War, took place between India and Pakistan over the disputed regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The Battle of Chawinda occurred in the Sialkot sector of Punjab, Pakistan, and it was one of the largest tank battles since World War II.

Background: The war began in April 1965 and escalated in September. Both India and Pakistan had territorial disputes in the region of Jammu and Kashmir, which led to this conflict. The Pakistani military, under the leadership of President Ayub Khan, sought to challenge Indian control over certain areas.

Location: Chawinda is a town in the Sialkot district of Punjab, Pakistan. It was strategically important because it was situated near the border and had good road connectivity.

Tank Warfare: The battle primarily involved tank warfare. The Indian Army’s 1st Armored Division, commanded by Major General Rajendra Singh Yadav, faced off against the Pakistani Army’s 6th Armored Division, commanded by Major General Nasir Ahmad. Both sides had American-made M48 Patton tanks and British-made Centurion tanks.

Fierce Fighting: The battle commenced on September 11, 1965, and continued for several days. It was characterized by intense tank battles, artillery duels, and infantry engagements. The terrain was flat and open, which favored tank warfare.

Pakistani Defense: The Pakistani forces, under the leadership of General Ahmad, put up a determined defense. They used anti-tank mines and well-prepared defensive positions to slow down the Indian advance.

Stalemate: Despite heavy fighting and casualties on both sides, the battle reached a stalemate. Neither side could achieve a decisive victory in the Chawinda sector. The battle eventually subsided, with both sides claiming success.

Ceasefire: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations and the Tashkent Agreement in January 1966. The ceasefire left the situation in Kashmir largely unchanged.

Legacy: The Battle of Chawinda is often regarded as a symbol of the courage and determination of both the Indian and Pakistani soldiers. It also underscored the limitations of armored warfare in the subcontinent’s terrain.

28 March 1965

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An Mw? 7.4 earthquake in Chile sets off a series of tailings dam failures, burying the town of El Cobre and killing at least 500 people.

The earthquake that occurred in Chile in 1965 is known as the Great Chilean earthquake or the Valdivia earthquake. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale, and it caused widespread damage throughout the country.