National Unity Day marks Sardar Patel's birth anniversary; key events of October 31

National Unity Day is being observed across the country today, October 31, on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's "Iron Man". He played a major role in unifying independent India. By getting the princely states merged, he united the country, and this strengthened the foundation of India's unity and integrity.

The aim of National Unity Day is to strengthen the sentiment that, despite the country's great diversity, we must preserve our unity. Schools, colleges and government bodies hold a number of events on the occasion, including marathons such as "Run for Unity", pledges and discussion sessions.

A look at what else October 31 has brought in the history of India and the world. In 1864, Nevada became the 36th state of the United States. In 1876, a devastating cyclone struck India and many people lost their lives. In 1880, Kirloskar's musical play Shakuntal was staged for the first time at the Anandodbhav Theatre in Pune.

In 1920, Narayan Malhar Joshi, Lala Lajpat Rai and some others founded the All India Trade Union Congress. Lala Lajpat Rai became its first president. In 1924, at the first International Savings Bank Congress (World Society of Savings Banks) in Milan, Italy, members of the association announced World Savings Day. In 1941, work on the Mount Rushmore memorial was completed. In 1966, the Delhi High Court was established.

In 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards. In the same year, Rajiv Gandhi took charge as India's sixth Prime Minister. In 2011, the world's population reached seven billion, and the United Nations called the day the Day of Seven Billion.

The date is also notable for births. King Edward of Portugal was born in 1391 and died on September 9, 1438. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in 1875. He was independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna. He died on December 15, 1950. Cricketer C. K. Nayudu was born in 1895 and died on November 14, 1967.

Chiang Kai-shek, the first Premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan), was born in 1897 and died on April 5, 1975. Norodom Sihanouk, the first Prime Minister of Cambodia, was born in 1922 and died on October 15, 2012. Indian space scientist and former Indian Space Research Organisation chairman Madhavan Nair was born in 1943. Cricketer Ramnath Parkar was born in 1946 and died on August 11, 1999. Indian choreographer Dharmesh Yelande was born in 1983.

Several well-known people also died on this date. Indian-English actor Norman Pritchard died in 1929; he was born on June 23, 1877. Composer and singer Sachin Dev Burman died in 1975; he was born on October 1, 1906. In 1984, Indira Gandhi, India's third Prime Minister, was shot dead by her bodyguards; she was born on November 19, 1917.

Writer and children's author Anandibai Shirke died in 1986; she was born on June 3, 1892. Punjabi writer and poet Amrita Pritam died in 2005; she was born on August 31, 1919. Senior Marathi actress Sumati Gupte died in 2009.