Boukephala and Nikaia were two cities founded by Alexander the Great on either side of the Hydaspes river during his invasion of the Indian subcontinent. The cities, two of many founded by Alexander, were built shortly after his victory over the Indian king Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes in early 326 BC. It is not certain which settlement had which name. Built on the site of the battlefield, the city on the eastern bank was most likely called Nikaia, while its western companion was probably named after Alexander's horse Bucephalus, who died during or after the battle. Their construction was supervised by Craterus, one of Alexander's leading generals. Boukephala seems to have had a more distinguished legacy than Nikaia: it was mentioned by Roman authors and appears on later manuscripts. The cities' precise locations are unknown, but it is considered likely that Boukephala was located in the vicinity of modern Jalalpur, Pakistan, and that Nikaia was across the river near present-day Mong.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boukephala_and_Nikaia
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1878:
The state funeral of Mindon Min, who ruled Myanmar for 25 years, took place; his death was reportedly preceded by strange omens, and his senior princes were unable to attend as they had all been arrested. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_state_funeral_of_Mindon_Min
1916:
Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland University 222–0 in the most lopsided college football game in American history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916_Cumberland_vs._Georgia_Tech_football_game
1991:
Croatian War of Independence: The Yugoslav People's Army conducted an air strike on Banski Dvori, the official residence of the president of Croatia in Zagreb. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_the_Banski_Dvori
2008:
2008 TC3 exploded above the Nubian Desert in Sudan, in the first time that an asteroid impact had been predicted prior to atmospheric entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_TC3
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
batten: 1. (transitive, obsolete) 2. To cause (an animal, etc.) to become fat or thrive through plenteous feeding; to fatten. 3. (rare) To enrich or fertilize (land, soil, etc.). 4. (intransitive) 5. To become better; to improve in condition; especially of animals, by feeding; to fatten up. 6. Of land, soil, etc.: to become fertile; also, of plants: to grow lush. 7. (often passive voice) Followed by on: to eat greedily; to glut. 8. (figurative) Followed by on: to prosper or thrive, especially at the expense of others. 9. (figurative) To gloat at; to revel in. 10. (figurative) To gratify a morbid appetite or craving. 11. To furnish (something) with battens (noun sense 1). 12. (chiefly nautical) Chiefly followed by down: to fasten or secure (a hatch, opening, etc.) using battens (noun sense 2.2). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/batten
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. Her brave struggle has come with tremendous personal costs. Altogether, the regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes. … In awarding her this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour her courageous fight for human rights, freedom, and democracy in Iran. This year’s Peace Prize also recognises the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against the theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women. Only by embracing equal rights for all can the world achieve the fraternity between nations that Alfred Nobel sought to promote. The award to Narges Mohammadi follows a long tradition in which the Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Peace Prize to those working to advance social justice, human rights, and democracy. These are important preconditions for lasting peace. --Norwegian Nobel Committee https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Norwegian_Nobel_Committee