Dear Readers,
On this day in 1643, physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton was born. Following a tortuous path, he made significant contributions to the mathematical discipline of calculus and his theories on motion and gravitational forces laid the foundation for the field of modern physics.
On Jan. 4, 1948, Burma ended 60 years of colonial rule when it officially declared independence from Britain.
By the end of WWII, nationalist leader Aung San, whose anti-fascist movement had been prominent in the struggle against Japan, had established a political and military power base from which to negotiate with Great Britain.
Gen. San's rule was troubled by conflicts between Burma's rival ethnic groups, but he proved a unifying force for the nationalist movement. In January 1947, he signed an agreement with the British Prime Minister that granted Burma full independence within a year.
Before that plan came to fruition, in July 1947, Aung San and six other members of the cabinet were gunned down. The deaths were mourned throughout the country and for decades after. The assassinations failed to halt the country's advance toward political autonomy, which officially arrived on Jan. 4, 1948. "Thousands of Burmans caroused amiably along Rangoon's steamy, tropical waterfront," wrote Time.
Today's Interview of the Day is with Jacques Cousteau, covering interviews in 1960 and 1991.
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