THE NP CHRONICLE : 15TH SEPTEMBER

The NP Chronicle 

15th September

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Mallowan, Lady Mallowan (15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976), usually known by her first married name, Agatha Christie, was an English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short-story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot (with the novel debut being The Mysterious Affair at Styles in 1920), Tommy and Tuppence (with the novel debut being The Secret Adversary in 1922), and Miss Marple (with the novel debut being The Murder at the Vicarage in 1930). She is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers, particularly in the mystery genre.

According to UNESCO's Index Translationum, Christie remains the most-translated individual author. Her novel And Then There Were None is one of the top-selling books of all time, with about 100 million copies sold. Christie's stage play The Mousetrap holds the world record for the longest initial run. It opened at the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End on 25 November 1952, and by 2018, more than 27,500 performances had been given. The play was temporarily closed in 2020 because of COVID-19 lockdowns in London before it reopened in 2021. In 1955, Christie was the first recipient of the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award. Later that year, Witness for the Prosecution received an Edgar Award for best play. In 2013, she was voted the best crime writer and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd the best crime novel ever by 600 professional novelists of the Crime Writers' Association. In 2015, And Then There Were None was named the "World's Favourite Christie" in a vote sponsored by the author's estate. Many of Christie's books and short stories have been adapted for television, radio, video games, and graphic novels. More than 30 feature films are based on her work.

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."

-- Agatha Christie, The Hound of Death and Other Stories

"The young people think the old people are fools -- but the old people know the young people are fools."

-- Agatha Christie 

"The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it."

-- Agatha Christie 

Marco Polo (c. 1254 – 8 January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. His travels are recorded in The Travels of Marco Polo (also known as Book of the Marvels of the World and Il Milione, c. 1300), a book that described the then-mysterious culture and inner workings of the Eastern world, including the wealth and great size of the Mongol Empire and China under the Yuan dynasty, giving Europeans their first comprehensive look into China, Persia, India, Japan, and other Asian societies.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Henry Charles Albert David; born 15 September 1984), is a member of the British royal family. He is the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, and is fifth in the line of succession to the British throne.

In 2018, Harry was created Duke of Sussex ahead of his wedding to American actress Meghan Markle. The couple have two children, Archie and Lilibet. In January 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family and relocated to Southern California. They subsequently established Archewell Inc., a Beverly Hills–based organisation encompassing both commercial and charitable ventures. In March 2021, Harry and Meghan gave a widely publicised interview to Oprah Winfrey on Oprah with Meghan and Harry. In December 2022, they appeared in the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan. In 2023, Harry published his memoir, Spare. In August 2026, he and Meghan relocated to the UK with their children, without plans to resume public duties as working members of the royal family.

"Is each generation doomed to unwittingly repeat the sins of the last?"

-- Prince Harry, Spare

"Grief is a thing best shared."

-- Prince Harry, Spare

Today is:

▪︎ International Day of Democracy 

▪︎ National Online Learning Day

▪︎ National IT Professionals Day

▪︎ National Neonatal Nurses Day 

▪︎ Engineer's Day in India 

▪︎ Sanchayika Day in India 

▪︎ Birth anniversary of Agatha Christie, Marco Polo, Prince Harry