Sir Colin Hannah (1914–1978) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and a Governor of Queensland. Born in Western Australia, he joined the RAAF in 1935 and served as a pilot in Nos. 22 and 23 Squadrons. During World War II, he was the RAAF's Deputy Director of Armament, saw action in the South West Pacific as commander of No. 6 Squadron and, later, No. 71 Wing, and ended the war in charge of Western Area Command in Perth. During the Malayan Emergency, he was senior air staff officer at RAF Far East Air Force Headquarters, Singapore. His other post-war appointments included Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Operational Command, and AOC Support Command. In January 1970, he was promoted to air marshal and became Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), the RAAF's senior position. Knighted in 1971, Hannah concluded his three-year appointment as CAS a year early, in March 1972, to become Governor of Queensland, where he attracted controversy by making comments critical of the Federal government. The British government refused to agree to his term being extended. He retired in March 1977, and died the following year.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Hannah

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1769:

Having been soundly defeated in battle, the Qing dynasty agreed to terms of truce, ending the Sino-Burmese War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Burmese_War_(1765%E2%80%9369)

1920:

The 8th Congress of Soviets approved the GOELRO plan, the first Soviet plan for national economic recovery and development. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOELRO_plan

1939:

Members of the All-India Muslim League observed a "Day of Deliverance" to celebrate the resignations of members of the Indian National Congress over the decision to enter the Second World War at the request of the United Kingdom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Deliverance_(India)

1964:

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (pictured), the United States Air Force's long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft and the world's fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, made its first flight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_SR-71_Blackbird

1984:

While riding a New York City Subway train, Bernhard Goetz shot four African American youths who attempted to rob him, sparking a nationwide debate on vigilantism, racism, and the legal limits of self- defense. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhard_Goetz

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

rebirth: 1. Reincarnation, new birth subsequent to one's first: rebirth of the soul in a new body. 2. Revival, reinvigoration: the rebirth of feminism, the rebirth of the Handelian oratorio. 3. Spiritual renewal: rebirth in Christ, the doctrine of rebirth through baptism. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/rebirth

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I'm proof against that word failure. I've seen behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure of cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.   --George Eliot https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Eliot