April 10th: A Glimpse into Asia’s History and Progress

Past Event 1: The Good Friday Earthquake in Alaska (1964) and its impact on Asia

On April 10, 1964, the Good Friday Earthquake, also known as the Great Alaskan Earthquake, struck Southcentral Alaska with a magnitude of 9.2. It remains the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded. Although not situated in Asia, the earthquake caused a series of tsunamis that reached countries across the Pacific, including Japan. Japan experienced significant damage, particularly in the Tohoku region, resulting in the loss of 21 lives and the destruction of hundreds of homes.

Following the disaster, Japan and other affected countries took steps to improve their earthquake and tsunami early warning systems. These efforts have helped to save countless lives during subsequent disasters.

References:

1. USGS | Historic Earthquakes – 1964 Alaska Earthquake. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/historic-earthquakes-1964-alaska-earthquake

2. Kanamori, H. (1970). The Alaska earthquake of 1964: Radiation of long-period surface waves and source mechanism. Journal of Geophysical Research, 75(26), 5029-5040.

3. Abe, K., & Kanamori, H. (1972). New data on the magnitude of the great Alaska earthquake of 1964. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 5, 298-302.

Past Event 2: Indian Ocean Trade Agreement (1997)

On April 10, 1997, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) was established with the objective of promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development among the member countries. The IORA, initially known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative, has grown to include 22 member countries from Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The organization focuses on promoting economic cooperation, maritime safety and security, and sustainable development, among other priorities.

Since its establishment, IORA has facilitated numerous trade and investment opportunities, leading to increased economic growth and development in the region.

References:

1. Indian Ocean Rim Association | About IORA. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.iora.int/en/about

2. Vinesh, R. (2012). The Indian Ocean Rim Association: Progress and Prospects. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 66(5), 527-542.

3. Van der Merwe, J. W. (1999). A perspective on the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). GeoJournal, 48(1), 27-37.

Event 3: Hong Kong Disneyland launches the “Hong Kong Disneyland is Here” campaign in 2009

On April 10, 2009, Hong Kong Disneyland started the “Hong Kong Disneyland is Here” campaign to increase the number of visitors to the park. This campaign highlighted the attractions, shows, and events at Hong Kong Disneyland, attracting tourists not only from Hong Kong but also from all over Asia.

As a result of the campaign’s success, Hong Kong Disneyland has continued to increase the number of tourists, making a significant contribution to Hong Kong’s tourism industry.

References:

1. Hong Kong Disneyland. (n.d.). Company Overview. Retrieved from: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/about/

2. Hong Kong Disneyland. (n.d.). 2009 – Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates. Retrieved from: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/about/milestones/

3. Cheung, C., & Lam, P. (2009). Exploring the synergy between tourism and external trading: The case of Hong Kong. Journal of China Tourism Research, 5(1), 64-77.