Today - January 10

Today is January 10! Almost ten days over of this year!!

In 1863 today The London Underground, the world's oldest underground railway, opened between London Paddington station and Farringdon station.

In 1920 The League of Nations holds its first meeting, and ratifies the Treaty of Versailles, therefore ending World War I. Now you may think that, whoa! Some relief at last. The world is freed from the grasp of the pain and loss of war! But it was one of the main reasons for the initiation of World War II. Of the many provisions in the treaty, one of the most important and controversial required Germany to accept sole responsibility for causing the war and to disarm, make substantial territorial concessions and pay reparations to certain countries that had formed the Entente powers. The total cost of these reparations was assessed at 132 billion marks ($31.5 billion, £6.6 billion) in 1921, which inflation adjusted, is roughly equivalent to $400 billion US Dollars as of 2007. This was a sum that many economists deemed to be excessive because it would have taken Germany until 1988 to pay. The Treaty was undermined by subsequent events starting as early as 1932 and was widely flouted by the mid-1930s.
The result of these competing and sometimes conflicting goals among the victors was compromise that left none contented: Germany was not pacified, conciliated nor permanently weakened. And this proved to be one of the notable reasons of outbreak of World War II. So actually it is not a reason to celebrate the day! But thought it is good to know.

In 1946 The first General Assembly of the United Nations opened in London. Fifty-one nations are represented. Now this was one good outcome after the Second World War.

Stop Violence and Say no to War! Spread love!

Jai Gurudev!
Love!