15 October marks Pharmacist’s Day, International Rural Women’s Day and the Day of the Lost Child.
Pharmacist’s Day
Ukraine celebrates Pharmacist’s Day on the third Tuesday of October. This holiday pays tribute to the professionals who work every day to provide people with quality medicines, taking care of the health of each of us.
Interesting facts
Pharmacists are experts not only in dispensing medicines. They also often advise patients on dosages and drug interactions, help them choose the most appropriate medicine, and analyse doctor’s prescriptions.
The roots of the pharmaceutical profession go back to antiquity. It is believed that the first pharmacists appeared in Egypt more than 3000 years ago. Back then, they prepared medicines from plants and natural materials.
One of the biggest challenges of modern pharmacy is the problem of antibiotic resistance. Pharmacists play a key role in ensuring that patients use these drugs correctly and prevent uncontrolled use.
Modern pharmacy is actively using the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence and automation, to improve the quality of healthcare services and simplify the work of pharmacists.
During the war in Ukraine, pharmacists played a key role in providing the population with vital medicines, especially in the war zones and occupied territories.
International Day of Rural Women
This day has been celebrated annually on 15 October since 2008 to highlight the important role of women in rural areas and their contribution to sustainable development, food security and poverty alleviation. The day was proclaimed by the UN to honour the importance of rural women in society, as they play a critical role in agriculture, forestry, fishing and food production.
Interesting facts
According to the UN, rural women make up about 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries. They play a key role in food production and food security.
Women in rural areas often work in low-paid or unpaid jobs, but their contribution to family provisioning and the production and sale of food has a significant impact on poverty alleviation.
Despite their contribution to the development of rural communities, rural women often have limited access to finance, land, education and technology, which hinders their economic independence and development.
In addition to working in agriculture, rural women are actively involved in community life, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage, education and healthcare.
Rural women are at the forefront of the fight against climate change, as their livelihoods depend on natural resources. They adapt to climate change and play an important role in maintaining environmental sustainability.
Day of the Lost Child
The Day of the Lost Child, or the International Day of Remembrance for Children Who Die in Pregnancy or Shortly After Birth, has been observed annually on 15 October since 1988. The initiative was launched in the United States by President Ronald Reagan to support families who have lost a child during pregnancy, birth or in the first months of life.
On this day, many countries hold the Wave of Light event, when candles are lit at 19:00 local time in memory of deceased children. The candles burn for one hour, forming a global wave of light that symbolises unity and support for bereaved families.
This day helps bereaved families to talk openly about their experiences, share their emotions and receive psychological support. Many countries organise events where parents can find understanding and help.
Many parents who have lost their children during pregnancy or after birth feel lonely and in silent pain, as this is a topic that is often silenced in society. This day aims to break the taboo on such conversations and help people heal.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 2.6 million babies die from miscarriage or are stillborn every year. This is a tragedy that affects families around the world.
In many countries, it is a common tradition to wear blue and pink ribbons in solidarity with bereaved families.
Historical events on this day
1615 – foundation of the Kyiv Epiphany Brotherhood and its school
On this day, the Kyiv Epiphany Brotherhood was founded in Kyiv, which was important for the development of education and cultural identity of Ukraine. The Brotherhood founded a school, which was transformed into a college in 1632. In 1701, it was granted the status of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Eastern Europe. The Academy played a key role in the development of science, education and spiritual life not only in Ukraine but also in the entire region.
1815 – Napoleon’s exile to St Helena
After his defeat at Waterloo, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St Helena, a remote British colony in the Atlantic Ocean. This exile was the end of his political career. Napoleon spent six years on the island until his death in 1821.
1840 – transportation of Napoleon’s ashes to France
25 years after Napoleon’s death, his ashes were transported from St Helena to France. He was buried in the Invalides in Paris, where his tomb has become a place of pilgrimage for many admirers of his legacy and role in the history of France and Europe.
1894 – the arrest of Alfred Dreyfus
On this day, a Jewish officer, Alfred Dreyfus, was arrested in the French Republic and accused of spying for Germany. This event caused a great resonance and divided French society for years to come. ‘The Dreyfus Affair became a symbol of the fight against anti-Semitism and human rights violations, and Dreyfus was later acquitted.
1926 – Opening of the Russian Drama Theatre in Kyiv
The Russian Drama Theatre was opened in Kyiv, which later became the Lesya Ukrainka Theatre. The theatre became an important cultural centre for the capital of Ukraine, hosting performances by the most famous playwrights and directors, making it one of the country’s leading theatres.
1959 – Stepan Bandera’s assassination in Munich
Stepan Bandera, the leader of the ideological Ukrainian nationalist movement, was assassinated in Munich by KGB agent Bohdan Stashynskyi. This assassination had a major impact on the Ukrainian liberation movement and world politics, becoming one of the symbols of the struggle for Ukrainian independence.
1981 – Metallica was founded
On this day, the American rock band Metallica was founded, which eventually became one of the most influential and successful metal bands in the world. Their style and music changed the development of rock music and influenced generations of musicians and fans.
1995 – Saddam Hussein received almost 100% of the vote in the Iraqi presidential election
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein received 99.96% of the vote in the election, indicating the absence of democratic processes and manipulation of results in a dictatorship. His regime lasted until 2003, when Hussein was overthrown by the US invasion.
2003 – China makes its first successful manned space flight
China became the third country after the USSR and the United States to send a man into space. Astronaut Yang Liwei flew on the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft, which was a huge achievement for the Chinese space programme and an important event in global astronautics.
