8 November marks World Urban Development Day, International Day of Radiology, World Wi-Fi Day and World Pianist Day.
World Urban Day
World Urban Planning Day, also known as Urbanism Day, aims to draw attention to the importance of proper planning and development of urban spaces. The initiative belongs to the Argentine professor Carlos Maria della Paolera, who proposed the idea of this holiday in 1949. Since then, World Urban Day has become an international event celebrated in many countries around the world.
The main goal of World Urban Development Day is to promote the development of urban areas, taking into account environmental, social and economic aspects. This day helps to draw attention to the problems of urban congestion, the need for new public spaces, preservation of cultural heritage, improvement of transport infrastructure and ensuring a comfortable environment for all residents.
Interesting facts
The ancient Egyptian city of Amarna and the ancient Indian city of Mohenjo-Daro are considered to be among the first cities with planned development, where streets divided into rectangular blocks and water supply systems appeared more than 4000 years ago.
Modern cities are increasingly focused on environmental friendliness and sustainability. For example, Copenhagen aims to become the first carbon-neutral city by 2025, thanks to the development of cycling infrastructure and the use of renewable energy sources.
The world’s largest cities, such as Tokyo, Shanghai, and New York, have a population of more than 10 million people and continue to grow. In particular, Tokyo is home to about 37 million people, making it the most densely populated metropolis.
Urbanisation brings both benefits and challenges. One of the main tasks of city planners is to find a balance between infrastructure development, protection of green areas and creation of living conditions, in particular, taking into account the needs of all residents, including those with limited mobility.
With the development of technology, so-called smart cities have emerged that use innovative solutions to improve the lives of residents. These include automated traffic management systems, digital services for residents, air quality monitoring systems, smart lighting, etc. One example is the city of Singapore, where smart solutions control noise levels, air quality, and waste management.
International Day of Radiology
This day is dedicated to the importance of radiological diagnostics for modern medicine. The date was not chosen by chance: it was on this day in 1895 that German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays, which was a revolutionary discovery in medicine and science.
This holiday was launched in 2012 by three leading organisations – the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR). The main goal of the day is to raise awareness of the importance of radiology in medical diagnosis, treatment and research.
Modern radiology encompasses a variety of techniques, such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US) and interventional radiology. They enable doctors to diagnose diseases quickly and accurately, as well as monitor the course of treatment.
Interesting facts
The first object to be X-rayed was the hand of Roentgen’s wife Anna Bertha. Her picture with the outlines of bones and a wedding ring became historical and widely known.
Roentgen discovered his famous rays by accident when he was experimenting with cathode ray tubes. The physicist himself was surprised by his discovery and at first did not even understand what he had found.
X-rays became not only important in medicine, but also spread to the security sector. Today, X-ray machines are widely used at airports and customs to check baggage.
Thanks to the development of interventional radiology, doctors can perform complex surgeries without open incisions. For example, fluoroscopy can be used to remove blood clots, treat aneurysms, and even perform biopsies.
Radiology plays a critical role in the detection and treatment of cancer. In addition to diagnostics, radiological methods are used for radiotherapy, which helps to destroy malignant cells.
Over the years, technology has evolved, and modern X-ray machines now allow for lower levels of radiation exposure, which ensures greater safety for patients.
World Wi-Fi Day
World No Wi-Fi Day is an unofficial but highly symbolic holiday celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of ‘digital detox’ and getting back to living off screens. This day usually falls on the second Sunday of June and is an excuse for people to temporarily give up wireless communication and try to live without a constant internet connection. This holiday draws attention to the balance between virtual and real life.
In the modern world, we have become extremely dependent on the internet and Wi-Fi. The daily use of smartphones, laptops and tablets has significantly changed our habits. The World No Wi-Fi Day encourages us to pause, put down our gadgets and pay attention to the simple joys of offline life: walking in nature, socialising, reading books or doing hobbies.
This holiday is also a reminder of the importance of digital wellbeing and the impact of constant online presence on mental health.
Interesting facts
Taking breaks from the internet has been shown to significantly improve productivity. People are more likely to find creative solutions when they do not have constant access to the information flow.
Studies show that prolonged exposure to the internet and social media can cause anxiety and stress. Days without Wi-Fi can help relieve digital stress.
Face-to-face communication is something that cannot be completely replaced by texting and video calls. People who practice internet-free days often notice that they begin to understand each other better and value time with their families more.
The constant operation of Wi-Fi networks and data centres consumes a lot of electricity, which has a negative impact on the environment. Taking breaks from using the Internet is another step towards a greener life.
Sleep experts recommend that you stop using gadgets at least an hour before bedtime. Days without Wi-Fi contribute to a healthier sleep pattern and better quality of rest.
World Piano Day
This is a holiday dedicated to the skill, talent and dedication of this musical instrument. The day pays tribute to all pianists, from those who are just learning the keys to world-renowned performers who contribute to the development of musical culture.
The piano is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world and remains important in both classical and contemporary music. World Piano Day was created to honour musicians who have dedicated their lives to this instrument, as well as to promote piano music and inspire new generations to learn to play the piano.
Interesting facts
A piano consists of more than 12,000 different parts, including strings, hammers, dampers and pedals. Thanks to this complex design, the instrument can produce a very rich and deep sound.
The names of such composers and performers as Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Arthur Rubinstein, and Vladimir Horowitz have gone down in music history. Their creativity and playing techniques still inspire musicians around the world.
There are many records related to piano playing. For example, the longest marathon of continuous piano playing lasted over 127 hours, set by Venezuelan musician Charles Brunier.
Playing the piano develops cognitive abilities, improves memory and coordination. Studies show that pianists have better concentration and the ability to process information, which contributes to brain development.
The piano often becomes a major element in films and culture. Films such as The Pianist by Roman Polanski tell the story of the difficult path of pianists and their inner strength. The instrument symbolises endurance, beauty and emotional depth.
Historical events on this day
1519 – Hernán Cortés’s entry into Tenochtitlan. This event was a turning point in the history of Central America. The Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his army entered the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, which marked the beginning of the end for Aztec civilisation and the beginning of the colonial era in Mexico.
1655 – The siege of Lviv is lifted by the Moscow-Cossack army. After paying the ransom, the Cossack and Moscow army lifted the siege of Lviv, which was part of the military events during the period of Ruin and the struggle for power in the Ukrainian lands.
1793 – The Louvre opens to the public. The Louvre, formerly a royal residence, opened its doors to the public as a museum. This marked the birth of one of the most famous museums in the world.
1867 – The first permanent season of the opera house in Kyiv began. The Kyiv Opera House opened its first permanent season with a performance of Askold’s Grave by Alexei Verstovsky. Since then, the theatre has become the centre of the city’s cultural life.
1895 – Invention of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. During his experiments with electricity, German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered previously unknown rays that allowed him to ‘see’ through solid objects. This discovery, which would later be called X-rays, revolutionised medicine.
1909 – Constituent Assembly of the Kyiv Aeronautics Society. On this day, the first meeting of the society’s members was held, which brought together aviation and aeronautics enthusiasts and researchers in Ukraine, making Kyiv an important centre for aviation development.
1918 – Establishment of the Ruthenian People’s Council in Przyszów. Transcarpathian Ukrainians created the Ruthenian People’s Council to protect their rights and political autonomy in post-war Europe.
1923 – Beer Putsch in Munich. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) attempted to seize power in Germany. The putsch failed, but it became one of the key events that led to Hitler’s growing popularity in Germany.
1927 – The Dnipro hydroelectric power station is inaugurated. The construction of one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine, the Dnipro HPP, begins. It was a large-scale project that had a significant impact on the country’s industrialisation.
1935 – Opening of the Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi Literary and Memorial Museum in Chernihiv. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of the prominent Ukrainian writer and is an important centre of Ukrainian culture.
1957 – Boeing 377 crashes in the Pacific Ocean. The tragedy claimed the lives of 44 people and became one of the most serious disasters in the history of aviation.
1960 – John F. Kennedy is elected President of the United States. John F. Kennedy was elected the 35th President of the United States. He became the youngest president elected to this position and went down in history as one of the most influential American leaders.
1975 – Uprising on the Storoževoy ship in Riga. An anti-government uprising took place on a Soviet ship, which became one of the rare manifestations of resistance in the Soviet Union.
1988 – George H.W. Bush is elected President of the United States. George H.W. Bush became the 41st President of the United States, continuing his administration’s course in the international arena.
1999 – Pope John Paul II visits Georgia. It was the first such event in history and had a symbolic meaning for the Catholic Church and Georgia.
2016 – Election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States, whose victory caused a significant resonance around the world and changed the vector of American politics.
2020 – Capture of the city of Shusha by Azerbaijani troops. This event was an important milestone in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and marked a turning point in the hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Children’s Railway started operating in Kharkiv
On 8 November 1940, the Children’s Railway (Mala Pivdenna) was put into operation in Kharkiv. It was built on the initiative of the Komsomol members of the Southern Railway and the KhIT Institute. The station of the main station, Park, was designed by architect Yevhen Lymar.
The railway was damaged during the occupation, but resumed operations on 5 August 1945. A short film was made to celebrate the opening of the restored railway. During the restoration, the length of the run was increased from 1.5 km to 3.6 km, stretching from Gorky Park to Lesopark and including two stations.
Until 1957, the children’s railway operated two locomotives Kv4-039 and a train with wooden cars. In 1957, to mark the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution, the railway received a TEu-3-001 diesel locomotive manufactured at the Kharkiv Malyshev Transport Engineering Plant. It was the only example that also became the subject of a video called ‘Our Diesel Locomotive’.
In 1965, the Ukrainian Studio of Chronicle and Documentary Films created the first colour documentary about the Little South, entitled Masters of Small Roads. In 1972, the Little Southern Railway appeared on the big screen in the children’s film Petya in Space based on the book by the famous children’s writer Joseph Dick.
In 1989, another film was made about the history of the railway called The Game. The black-and-white film included video footage of the pre-war Palace of Pioneers, the departure of the first post-war train, and footage of the operating locomotive Kv4-039. One of the first young railway workers, Iosif Godin, took part in the film. Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, this film was never completed and never released.
Today, Mala Pivdenna has two diesel locomotives and 12 passenger cars (the Ukraine and Yunist Pivdenna2 trains have six cars each). Two bridges, a motorway and drainage systems have been built on the road. Most of the workers are children. The round trip takes 30 minutes, and the trains run on rails produced in Austria-Hungary, Germany, the Russian Empire, the USSR and the USA from 1880 to 1989.
‘Mala Pivdenna has won first place seven times in a row at the all-Ukrainian competition of children’s railways. In the late 90s, the Hungarian locomotive Kv4-039, which had been operating there since 1951, disappeared from the station. The circumstances of its disappearance and further fate remain unknown, although there are rumours that it is in the depot of the Southern Railway.
The Children’s Railway was created for the professional orientation of young people, so every year new groups of students from schools, lyceums and gymnasiums in Kharkiv and the region, aged 11 to 17, are recruited. This does not interfere with their educational process.
An interesting fact: in the 1960s, the Budy Faience Factory, located in the village of Budy, Kharkiv region, produced a series of dishes depicting the Little South: a jug and a decorative plate. Today, this tableware is a collector’s rarity.
