Today’s history: Iraq did the deadliest chemical attack on the Kurds, more than 5 thousand people were killed in the blink of an eye

Iraq-Iran war was going on since 1980, thousands of people were killed, but what happened on 16 March 1988, became one of the most brutal incidents in history. Around 11 o’clock in the morning, the Iraqi army carried out a chemical attack on Halebaja, a city bordering Iran. The army dissolved mustard gas in the air.

In the blink of an eye, more than 5 thousand people died. Whereas 10 thousand people became victims of some disease for life. The chemical was so lethal that its effect was seen in the next generations.

The city of Halebaja is on the Iraq-Iran border. Most of the Kurds lived here, who were unhappy with the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. When Iranian forces entered the area, they were welcomed by local Kurds. This was an exasperation for Saddam. He decided to teach a lesson to the Kurds. This attack was the result of that hatred.

The first dose of polio was given on this day
The month of March 2014 brought a big achievement for India. The World Health Organization declared India a polio-free country. This was the result of a long battle of 19 years for India. Its first chapter was written on this day in the year 1995. The first dose of the oral polio vaccine was given in India on 16 March 1995.

India’s pulse polio campaign is counted as one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the world. National Vaccination Day is celebrated every year on 16 March with the objective of raising awareness about vaccination.

Other important events of March 16 in the country and the world are as follows…

2014: Crimea held a referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Despite opposition from many countries, Russia annexed Crimea after the referendum.

2007: South African batsman Harshal Gibbs made a world record by hitting six sixes in an over. Gibbs hit six sixes off Dan van Bunge’s six balls during the 2007 ODI World Cup against the Netherlands.

1968: During the Vietnam War, American forces killed hundreds of innocent people.

[1945:The US Navy captured the Japanese island of Eo Jima during World War II.

[1945:During the Second World War, Britain launched an air raid on the German city of Werzburg. 90% of the city was destroyed in a 20-minute bombing.

1926: The world’s first liquid fueled rocket was launched. Launched by American engineer Robert Gollard. It used liquid oxygen and gasoline.

1910: Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi was born. He played cricket for England and India. His son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was India’s youngest Test captain.

1799: Famous photographer Anna Atkins was born. He published the first book in which photographs taken with a camera were used.

1751: James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, was born in Virginia.

1693: Malharrao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar royal family of Indore, was born.