On August 19, Ukraine’s Beekeeper’s Day, World Humanitarian Day, and World Photography Day are celebrated.
On August 19, 1883, the legendary Coco Chanel was born.
On August 19, 1960, the Sputnik-5 spacecraft was launched into Earth’s orbit for the first time, with dogs named Squirrel and Strelka on board.
Beekeeper’s Day of Ukraine
On August 19, Ukraine celebrates a special holiday – Beekeeper’s Day. This holiday is dedicated to all those who are engaged in beekeeping – an ancient and honorable business that has deep roots in Ukrainian culture. Beekeeping not only provides us with honey and other valuable products, but also plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance.
The holiday was founded in 1997 in accordance with the decree of the President of Ukraine in support of the initiative of the Ministry of Agro-Industrial Complex of Ukraine and the Union of Beekeepers of Ukraine. The main purpose of this holiday is to draw attention to the significant role of bees in nature and to pay tribute to the hard work of beekeepers.
In Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, the Institute of Beekeeping named after P.I. Prokopovich, founded in 1989. This establishment is named after the outstanding beekeeper Peter Prokopovich, who was the first to invent the collapsible frame beehive. Thanks to this invention, it became possible to extract honey without harming the bees and without destroying the combs, as was done before.
Interesting facts
Our country is among the five largest producers of honey in the world. Annually, Ukrainian beekeepers produce about 70,000 tons of honey, a large part of which is exported.
Beekeeping in Ukraine has a thousand-year history. Back in the days of Kievan Rus, honey was considered one of the most valuable products and was used as a food product, medicine and even as a preservative.
Beekeeper’s Day is celebrated on August 19, which coincides with the religious holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, known as the Second Savior or the Apple Savior. This holiday is associated with the blessing of the harvest, including honey and apples, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Ukrainian beekeepers continue to improve their skills and technologies. In many regions, specialized fairs and festivals are organized where you can taste different varieties of honey, learn more about beekeeping and buy products directly from producers.
Bees play a key role in pollination of plants, which ensures a rich harvest of fruits, vegetables and berries. Thus, beekeeping supports not only the food industry, but also the preservation of biodiversity.
World Humanitarian Day
Every year on August 19, the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day, a day dedicated to honoring those who save lives and help people affected by conflicts, natural disasters and other crises. It is also an opportunity to draw attention to the needs of those in the most vulnerable conditions.
Interesting facts
World Humanitarian Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2008. The date of August 19 was chosen to commemorate the tragic events of 2003, when a terrorist attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad killed 22 people, including prominent diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mella.
Every year, humanitarian aid is provided to millions of people around the world. In 2023, according to the UN, more than 235 million people needed assistance due to conflicts, economic crises, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Humanitarian assistance covers a wide range of activities: from providing food and water, medical care and housing to educational programs, psychological support and legal assistance.
World Humanitarian Day is designed to unite the efforts of governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and ordinary people in providing support to those who need it most. On this day, numerous actions, campaigns and events are held to raise awareness of humanitarian crises and attract resources.
One of the key aspects of the day is to draw attention to the dangers faced by aid workers. Every year, dozens of people die in the line of duty, and thousands are put at risk while working in conflict and other dangerous situations.
Every year, World Humanitarian Day has a specific theme that highlights important aspects of humanitarian work. For example, in 2023, the main theme was “Indomitable Women”, which highlighted the contribution of women in humanitarian operations around the world.
World Photography Day
Every year on August 19, the world celebrates World Photography Day, a holiday that unites millions of people who are passionate about the art of photography. It is a day when photographers, both professionals and amateurs, pay tribute to their passion and share the images that preserve the moments of life.
Interesting facts
World Photography Day is celebrated on August 19 in honor of the invention of the daguerreotype, the first practical photography process, announced to the world on this day in 1839. Since then, this date has become a symbol of the birth of photography as an art form and technology.
World Photography Day was initiated by Australian photographer Korske Ara, who in 2009 started this tradition to unite photographers from around the world and celebrate their contribution to art and culture.
Photography is a universal language, understood without words. With the help of one frame, you can convey emotions, a mood, an event or a whole story. Thanks to photography, we can see the world through the eyes of other people, experience culture, nature and even experiences without leaving our own home.
Modern photography has changed dramatically thanks to digital technologies. Today, anyone can take a photo using a smartphone and instantly share it with the world. This made photography accessible to everyone and social media became the main platforms for sharing visual stories.
Photographs are not only art, but also a document of history. They help us preserve important moments of the past, from family holidays to global events. Modern data storage and processing technologies allow us to archive and preserve these images for centuries to come.
Every year on this day, millions of people post their photos on social media using hashtags like #WorldPhotographyDay. It’s not only a way to showcase your work, but also a way to find inspiration and connect with other photographers from around the world.
Photography has the power to influence public opinion and even change the world. Some historical photographs have become symbols of entire eras and contributed to significant social changes. For example, photos from military conflicts, environmental disasters or social protests often become catalysts for action.
Historical events on this day
1562 year – The Muscovite army suffered a crushing defeat from the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia in the Battle of Nevel. This battle became an important moment in the struggle of Lithuania and Russia against the expansion of Moscow, emphasizing the strength and unity of the principality in confronting the enemy.
1692 year – five women were hanged for witchcraft in Massachusetts.
1919 year – During the offensive on Kyiv, the 1st Corps of the Ukrainian Galician Army gained control over the city of Berdychiv. It was an important strategic victory in the context of the national liberation struggle of the Ukrainian people for independence.
1936 year – In Moscow, an open trial of the “United Trotskyite-Zinoviev Anti-Soviet Center” began. This process became one of the symbols of Stalin’s repressions, as a result of which thousands of people who were considered a threat to the Soviet government were destroyed.
1941 year – The main command of the Romanian army issued a decree on the establishment of an occupation administration on a part of the territory that previously belonged to the Ukrainian SSR between the Dniester and the Bug. This territory was called “Transnistria”, with the administrative center in Tiraspol. The occupation was accompanied by brutal repression against the local population.
1943 year – US President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed a secret agreement on cooperation in creating an atomic bomb. This agreement was the beginning of the Manhattan Project, which led to the creation of the world’s first nuclear weapons.
1945 year – The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR ratified the UN Charter, confirming the participation of the Soviet Union in the new international organization, which was created to maintain peace and security after the end of World War II.
1960 year – The first successful orbital flight of living beings with a return to Earth took place. This event became an important milestone in the development of space research and preparation for manned flights.
1989 year – The parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Lviv was the first in the Ukrainian SSR to leave the Russian Orthodox Church and declare itself a part of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. This became an important step in the process of reviving Ukrainian church independence.
1989 year – In Khmelnytskyi, a memorial sign was opened, perpetuating the memory of the victims of the repressions of the 1930s-1940s and the beginning of the 1950s. This sign became a symbol of mourning for thousands of people who suffered from the repressions of the Soviet regime.
1990 year – The German Democratic Republic (GDR) adopted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), which became an important step on the way to the unification of Germany.
1991 year – attempted coup d’état in the USSR. Leonid Kravchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR, spoke on Ukrainian television at 4:00 p.m. calling on citizens to remain calm, stressing that the state of emergency in the Ukrainian SSR does not apply. Later, he announced his resignation from the ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSR), which became an important step in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence.
1992 year – The First World Forum of Ukrainians started its work in Kyiv. This event became a landmark for the Ukrainian diaspora, bringing together Ukrainians from all over the world to discuss issues of national revival and strengthening ties with Ukraine.
On August 19, 1883, the legendary “Queen of Fashion” – Gabrielle Bonner Chanel, known as Coco Chanel, was born. Her childhood was not easy: her mother worked as a laundress, and her father was an ordinary street seller of work clothes. There were six children in the family, and the future fashion icon grew up in difficult conditions.
She received the nickname “Coco” thanks to one of the songs she often performed – “Who has seen Coco?”. However, Chanel herself often joked that her father gave her this name. Her career in the fashion industry began with the production of hats for European aristocrats, and later she founded her own fashion house – Chanel, which had a huge impact on the international fashion of the 20th century. Thanks to her, fashion became one of the central phenomena of the last century.
It is interesting that Coco Chanel did not know how to draw or cut, but this did not prevent her from becoming a legendary designer. Men played an important role in her life, but she never got married. When journalists once asked her why she did not marry Hugh Grovenor, Duke of Westminster, Chanel replied: “There were several Duchesses of Westminster, and Chanel – one.”
Coco Chanel is known for her wise and witty quotes that have become catchphrases:
- “Fashion passes, style remains.”
- “Remember: you won’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”
- “We need beauty to be loved by men, and stupidity to be loved by men.”
- “At twenty, a woman has the face that nature gave her, at thirty, the one she created herself, and at forty, the one she deserves.”
- “Old age does not protect against love, but love protects against old age.”
One of Coco’s most famous creations was Chanel No. 5, a fragrance she described as “the kind that smells like a woman.” The story of the creation of this legendary fragrance began with the fact that Madame Chanel mixed 80 different scents in one bottle. Out of ten tubes, she chose the fifth one, added a little lily of the valley to it and, without thinking for a long time, gave the new fragrance its name with the serial number of the test bottle. That’s it! On May 5, 1921, the presentation of the new Chanel No. 5 perfume, which cost 1,500 francs, took place in Paris. During the presentation, Chanel was putting a bottle of the new fragrance on the table and pressing the atomizer when an elegant lady walked by. Later she recalled: “The effect was amazing: all the women who passed by our table stopped for a breath.”
After that, Coco Chanel started launching her new collections on the fifth day of the fifth month. Marilyn Monroe admitted in one of the interviews that she goes to bed “wearing only a drop of Chanel No. 5.” Coco herself said: “Perfume should be applied where you want a man to kiss you”. This perfume became the most popular fragrance of the 20th century and still remains a bestseller.
Coco Chanel died at the age of 87 from a heart attack in the Ritz hotel in Paris, where she lived for a long time. Her life was full of work and she was always a workaholic, working for hours without noticing the time. Perhaps her recipe for longevity was her famous slogan: “The most important thing is not to eat.” Indeed, for lunch she often chose baked potatoes or mashed chestnuts. During the day, she consumed up to 50 cigarettes, champagne, hot chocolate, cheese, crackers, caviar and red wine, but the most important thing for her was always work.
On August 19, 1960, a significant event took place in the history of cosmonautics: the Sputnik-5 spacecraft was launched into Earth’s orbit for the first time, with dogs named Squirrel and Strelka on board. The flight lasted more than 25 hours, during which time the ship made 17 complete revolutions around the Earth. Belka and Strelka became the first living creatures to successfully make an orbital space flight and return safely to Earth. Before this, two previous flights were conducted, but they ended unsuccessfully.
Together with the dogs, 12 mice, various insects, plants, fungal cultures, seeds of corn, wheat, peas, onions, as well as some types of microorganisms and other biological objects visited space. All of them were in the ejection container, and their flight was also successful. It was thanks to this experiment that it was possible to make important conclusions about the possibility of human orbital flight around the Earth.
It is interesting that at that time the Americans mostly launched monkeys into space for their space experiments, while Soviet scientists chose dogs. After returning to Earth, Squirrel and Arrow became real heroes. They lived in the aviary of the Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine, from where they were often taken to shows in kindergartens, schools and orphanages. A few months after the flight, Strelka gave birth to six healthy puppies, one of which, named Pushinka, was given by Nikita Khrushchev to Jacqueline Kennedy, the wife of US President John F. Kennedy, and their daughter Caroline.
Belka and Strelka lived to a very old age and died of natural causes. It is worth noting that their nicknames were changed before preparing for the flight – at first they were called Albina and Marquisa. They were given new names in particular thanks to Marshal Mitrofan Nedelin, who believed that simpler and more understandable names are better suited for such important events.
This flight not only laid the foundation for further achievements in space exploration, but also became an important page in the history of science and technology, proving the possibility of safe orbital flight for humans.
On August 19, 1995, Mike Tyson returned to the ring after a long prison term, which he served on charges of raping Miss Black America-91 beauty pageant Desiree Washington. It was his first fight after more than four years of absence. And although Tyson still denies his guilt and claims that he will remain confident of his innocence for the rest of his life, this episode seriously affected his career. Interestingly, it later emerged that Desiree had repeatedly filed lawsuits against other wealthy men, accusing them of rape, which only added controversy to Tyson’s case.
According to many lawyers, the decisive factor in the trial was Mike’s reputation, which was far from perfect – during his life he had several problems with the law.
His opponent in that match was 26-year-old Peter McNeely, known by the nickname “Hurricane”. Although Tyson had not appeared in the ring for more than four years, his return caused a real stir among fans who welcomed him as a hero. Tyson’s physical form remained at a high level, but new tattoos appeared on his body: portraits of Martin Luther King and Mao Zedong, and later Che Guevara joined them.
The fight lasted less than one round. Peter McNeely was on the floor twice after Tyson’s punches. In the middle of the round, Mike made a successful attack, ending it with a right uppercut that sent McNeely to a knockdown. Referee Mills Lane started the countdown, but at that moment representatives of the McNeely team entered the ring, which violated the rules. Despite requests from the referee to leave the ring, they refused to do so, causing Lane to disqualify McNeely.
Although the match lasted only 1.5 minutes, it became unforgettable. The Tyson vs. McNealy fight grossed more than $180 million worldwide, including a record $63 million in the United States. He entered the top five most popular fights in the history of boxing. It is worth noting that even in his best years before imprisonment, Tyson did not arouse such interest.
Peter McNeely became the sixth boxer to lose to Tyson without a knockout, and after that fight he was quickly forgotten. However, for Mike Tyson, this was only the beginning of new trials and legendary stories: two fights with Evander Holyfield, the famous episode with the bitten earlobe, the loss and restoration of his boxing license, new problems with the law, fines and probation for drug possession, as well as filming in cinema and creative evenings around the world.
