August 17 is celebrated as World Day of Homeless Animals, Day of Second-hand Stores, and International Day of the Black Cat.
On August 17, 1914, the “Ukrainian Sich Riflemen” legion was created.
On August 17, 1786, Frederick the Great, the king who changed the course of European history, died.
World Day of Homeless Animals
Every year, on the third Saturday of August, the world unites to celebrate World Homeless Animals Day. This holiday was started in order to draw attention to the problem of homeless animals and encourage people to take action to help reduce their number.
Interesting facts
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million homeless dogs live on the planet. This number is constantly growing due to the imperfection of the system of sterilization and control of the animal population.
In many countries, volunteers and community organizations play an important role in caring for homeless animals. For example, in India there are special programs to sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs, which helps to reduce the number of new stray animals.
In some cities, for example in Rome, homeless animals such as cats become a symbol of the city. They receive special status and care, living in historical parts of the city under the care of local residents and volunteers.
World Homeless Animals Day is also a reminder of how important volunteers are. They are the ones who stand up for those who cannot protect themselves, helping animals find new homes and get the necessary medical care.
Many efforts are aimed at raising awareness of the importance of responsible treatment of pets. Educational programs in schools and actions on the streets of cities help to change the attitude of people towards the problem of homeless animals.
In some countries, for example, the Netherlands, the problem of homeless animals has been almost completely solved thanks to effective sterilization policies and a responsible approach to keeping pets.
Day of second-hand shops
Every year on August 17, Second-hand Store Day is celebrated, a holiday that aims to raise awareness of the environmental and social benefits of buying second-hand items. This is a great opportunity to remind about the importance of sustainable consumption and support of environmental initiatives.
Interesting facts
Buying clothes and other things in second-hand stores allows you to save significantly. You can often find branded items at much lower prices than in regular stores. This makes second-hand goods available to people of different income levels.
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters of the environment. Buying second-hand clothes helps to reduce the amount of waste and reduce the demand for the production of new things, which has a positive effect on the environment.
Each second-hand item has its own story. Some items may have great historical or cultural value. It can be vintage clothing or unique items that are hard to find elsewhere.
In many countries, profits from the sale of second-hand items go to charity. Stores often support local communities by helping people in difficult life situations or funding social programs.
Second-hand stores offer unique and non-standard items that allow you to create an individual style. It is especially attractive to fashionistas who are looking for original things that stand out from mass production.
Recently, the fashion for vintage clothing and accessories has grown significantly. Vintage items are becoming increasingly popular among young people, which adds a new impetus to the development of second-hand goods.
International Black Cat Day
Every year on August 17, the International Day of the Black Cat is celebrated – a holiday designed to destroy the stereotypes associated with these mysterious animals and emphasize their uniqueness and beauty.
Interesting facts
Black cats are often associated with magic and superstition. In the Middle Ages, they were considered accomplices of witches, which led to a negative attitude towards these animals. However, in some cultures, such as Great Britain and Japan, the black cat symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
According to various studies, black cats are more often ignored in animal shelters. This is due to the fact that they attract less attention due to their color and the stereotypes associated with them. International Black Cat Day was created to change this prejudice and promote their adoption.
Black cats have become symbols in various cultures and mythologies. For example, in Ancient Egypt, the cat was a sacred animal, and the black cat was a symbol of the goddess Bastet, who represented protection and well-being.
Black cats often appear in movies, books, and art as enigmatic characters that add an air of mystery. One of the most famous characters is the black cat Salem from the TV series “Sabrina the Young Witch”.
For many people, the black cat has become a symbol of hope and victory over superstition. Many owners of black cats share stories about how their pets brought joy and happiness into their lives, destroying negative stereotypes.
Historical events on this day
1245 – Battle near Yaroslavl
On this day in 1245, a decisive battle took place near the city of Yaroslavl, in which Prince Danylo Romanovych won a victory over the Hungarian army. This battle became a turning point in the fight against boyar resistance in the Galicia-Volyn principality. The victory allowed Danylo Romanovych to strengthen his power, which contributed to the unification of the principality and the strengthening of his position in the political arena.
1916 – The Kingdom of Romania joins the Entente
On this day in 1916, Romania officially joined the Entente military alliance, which included Great Britain, France and the Russian Empire. This decision became an important stage in the First World War, because the opening of a new front in the Balkans had a significant impact on the course of military operations in Europe.
1918 – Establishment of an 8-hour working day in the Ukrainian State
On August 17, 1918, Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi decided to introduce an 8-hour working day in the Ukrainian State. It was an important social achievement that became an example of the introduction of progressive labor standards in the new Ukrainian state.
1920 – The end of the Battle of Warsaw
On this day in 1920, one of the most important battles of the Polish-Soviet war ended – the Battle of Warsaw. This victory of the Polish-Ukrainian forces was decisive, as the Red Army was forced to retreat eastwards under pressure, which changed the course of the war in favor of the Entente.
1940 – Proclamation of the blockade of Great Britain
On this day in 1940, Adolf Hitler announced a total blockade of Great Britain. This move became part of Germany’s World War II strategy to isolate and weaken Great Britain by limiting its economic and military resources.
1941 – The beginning of the deportation of Crimean Germans
On August 17, 1941, the mass deportation of Crimean residents of German nationality began. About 50,000 people were evicted within a few days. This deportation became one of the tragic episodes of the Second World War, which left a deep mark in the history of Crimea.
1962 – The first murder during an attempt to cross the Berlin Wall
On this day in 1962, a tragic incident occurred when East German border guards killed 18-year-old Peter Fetchar as he tried to escape over the Berlin Wall into West Berlin. This event highlighted the brutality of the regime and symbolized the division of Europe during the Cold War.
1999 – Approval of the flag of the Donetsk region
On August 17, 1999, the flag of Donetsk region was officially approved. This symbol became an important part of the identity of the region and reflected the historical and cultural traditions of Donbas.
2009 – English Wikipedia crosses the 3 million article mark
On this day in 2009, the English version of Wikipedia reached an important milestone, passing the mark of 3 million articles. This achievement underscores Wikipedia’s importance as one of the largest and most popular sources of information in the world.
2011 – Launch of the Ukrainian satellite “Sich-2” into orbit
On August 17, 2011, the Ukrainian Sich-2 satellite was launched into Earth orbit. This satellite became the third in the “Sich” series and was intended for optical-electronic observation of the Earth. This achievement emphasizes the importance of space research for Ukraine and its scientific potential.
Creation of the “Ukrainian Sich Riflemen” legion
August 17, 1914 became a significant date in the history of the Ukrainian national liberation movement. It was on this day that a decision was made in Lviv to create a volunteer military formation – the Legion of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen (USS). This formation consisted exclusively of Ukrainians and was intended to fight on the side of the Central Powers during the First World War.
The Main Ukrainian Council, which was in Lviv at that time, initiated the creation of the legion. She issued a manifesto in which she announced the readiness of the Ukrainian people to fight on the side of the Central Powers (the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires) against the Russian imperial power. The manifesto also called on young people to join the ranks of the “Ukrainian Volunteer Legion”, which was actually formed in the structures of the Austrian army.
The city of Stryi was chosen as the place of formation of the legion, where more than 10,000 volunteers came from different parts of Galicia. However, the Austrian government, fearing the growth of patriotic sentiments among Ukrainians, decided to limit the number of legions to 2,500 people.
Austrian cavalry colonel Molik, a Czech by nationality, was appointed the first commander of the legion. The legion consisted of three infantry kurens, each of which was divided into hundreds (100-150 people), and those, in turn, into squads and swarms. The third kuren was commanded by Stepan Shukhevich. In addition to infantry, the legion also had engineering, cavalry units, machine gun and mortar units, which added mobility and combat power to the formation.
A special feature of the riflemen’s clothing was the cockade, which, since 1916, was placed on a specially designed headdress, known as a “mazepinka”.
On September 3, 1914, the shooters took a military oath twice: first, a general oath, like all soldiers of the Austrian army, and then their own, national-patriotic oath, swearing loyalty to Ukraine.
The legion received its baptism of fire on September 25, 1914, during the defense of the Uzhotsky Pass in the Carpathians, where the Second Kuban Cossack Division was advancing against them. “Usus”, as they were called, showed themselves to be steadfast and courageous warriors who received recognition for their exploits. Austrian General Fleischmann in his orders repeatedly emphasized their bravery and contribution to the joint struggle.
Over time, the “USS” regiment was created from two military kurens, numbering about 2,200 soldiers, under the command of Ataman Grigory Kossak. The Legion of “Ukrainian Sich Riflemen” not only fought, but also took an active part in cultural and educational activities in Volyn, where the riflemen organized 46 primary schools and worked there as teachers.
The legion became an important symbol of national revival and the first example of the organization of a national army. Among the shooters were many outstanding personalities, such as Dmytro Vitovskyi, Grigory Kossak, Wilhelm Habsburg (Embroidered), Ivan Franko’s son Peter.
After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the SSS became the basis of the Galician army, which defended the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic from Polish aggression. The “Sich Riflemen” regiment, under the command of Yevhen Konovalts, actively participated in the national liberation struggle of 1917-1920.
The death of Frederick the Great, the king who changed the course of European history
On August 17, 1786, Prussia lost its most famous ruler – Frederick the Great. His name caused awe among European monarchs, because Frederick was not only an outstanding commander, but also a reformer who turned his kingdom into one of the most powerful states in Europe.
Frederick the Great, as King of Prussia, ruled as an absolute monarch, but believed that his power should serve the people. His famous saying: “I am the first servant of my state” reflects his approach to government. Unlike the French king Louis XVI, who proclaimed: “The state is me”, Frederick believed that the ruler should be a servant of his people and work for their good.
His reign was full of reforms aimed at strengthening the state and improving the lives of his subjects. Frederick was convinced that the glory of the ruler without the welfare of the people is empty, and the glory that does not bring happiness to the subjects is a shame.
Frederick the Great went down in history as one of the greatest generals of his time. Thanks to his conquering policy, the territory of Prussia almost doubled, and it turned from a small principality into one of the most powerful states in Europe. Frederick personally led his troops on the battlefield and often led his soldiers to attack. He paid special attention to discipline and unity of command in the army, believing that without these elements the army cannot exist.
Frederick was a soldier-king who did not allow weakness either in himself or in his subordinates. His tactics of delivering a pre-emptive strike against the enemy were admired even by such outstanding military leaders as Napoleon Bonaparte. During the 46 years of his reign, Frederick strengthened Prussia, turning it into one of the leading military powers in Europe.
During the reign of Frederick the Great, those virtues were formed in Germany, which later became the basis of the German national spirit. Thrift, God-fearing, faithfulness, discipline, commitment to order, the ability to suffer without complaints, directness and punctuality, modesty and firmness – all these traits have become an integral part of German culture.
Friedrich was also a polyglot and an intellectual. He spoke several languages, including French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, and read Latin, Greek, and ancient Greek. The king was known for his love of simplicity, played the flute and wrote musical works. He also created the political-philosophical treatise “Anti-Machiavelli”, in which he criticized the ideas of Niccolò Machiavelli expressed in his famous work “The Ruler”.
Friedrich was a great patron of the arts and opened a public library in Berlin, which became the center of cultural life at that time. He was also known for his tolerance of different religions. In his opinion, all religions are equal if their followers are honest people. He believed in freedom of religion and was ready to build mosques and prayer rooms even for Muslims and pagans, if they wanted to live in Prussia.
The king also abolished censorship, allowing the publication of caricatures of himself in newspapers, and said: “Let them laugh, if only they obey!”. During his reign, Prussia finally became a legal state. The famous case, when a miller from Potsdam won a legal case against the king himself, entered the national folklore.
Frederick was also a passionate lover of dogs and left behind a memory as a king who not only strengthened the state, but also cared about the development of culture and justice.
Frederick the Great is considered one of the three German national heroes, along with Otto von Bismarck and Konrad Adenauer. His reign left a deep mark in the history of Germany and Europe, turning Prussia into a great power.
His famous quotes reflect a deep understanding of politics and the nature of power:
- “No matter how much you want peace, you should never sacrifice safety and honor.”
- “The older you get, the more clearly you see that in this unhappy world His Majesty Chance does three-quarters of the work.”
- “If our soldiers understood what we are fighting for, no war would be possible.”
- “All religions must be treated tolerantly, because each person must get to heaven in his own way.”
- “The great art of every politician is not to swim against the current, but to turn any circumstance to his advantage.”
