On August 22, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Remembrance of Internal Affairs Officers who died in the line of duty, the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Beliefs, and World Folklore Day.
On August 22, 1864, the first Geneva Convention was signed, on August 22, 1920, Ray Douglas Bradbury was born – a world-famous American writer.
Day of remembrance of employees of internal affairs bodies who died in the line of duty
The Day of Remembrance of Internal Affairs Officers was officially established in Ukraine to honor all law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. This day is established as a reminder of those who sacrificed their lives for the safety of others. This date became a symbol of respect for their feat and the unification of society around the memory of the fallen.
Since the beginning of Ukraine’s independence, more than 1,600 militia and police officers have given their lives in the line of duty to their country.
This day is officially celebrated at the state level, and in various cities of Ukraine ceremonies are held to lay flowers at memorials to fallen law enforcement officers. These events are often attended by government representatives, police leadership and other high-ranking officials.
Several memorial complexes and monuments have been created in Ukraine in honor of the fallen employees of internal affairs bodies. One of the most famous memorials is located in Kyiv on the territory of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as in Kharkiv, where memorial ceremonies are held annually.
I really want to believe that the feat of those who gave their lives defending the Law will never be forgotten. Eternal memory…
International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
The day is intended to honor those who have suffered or died because of their religion or belief, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting freedom of religion and belief around the world. The UN General Assembly declared August 22 the International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief in 2019. This decision was taken in response to the increasing number of acts of violence against religious groups and individuals around the world.
In today’s world, many people face discrimination, persecution, and even death because of their religious beliefs. This day serves as a reminder of the need to respect the rights of every person to choose his faith or beliefs.
The International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is celebrated in many countries around the world. Human rights organizations, faith-based groups, and governments hold a variety of events dedicated to raising awareness and supporting victims. In many countries, this day also promotes interfaith dialogue, which helps reduce tensions between different religious groups and prevent conflicts on religious grounds.
International campaigns and actions aimed at countering religious hatred and promoting tolerance are often timed to this day. These activities help draw society’s attention to the problem of violence based on religious beliefs and contribute to the formation of a culture of peace. The celebration of this day emphasizes the importance of the right to freedom of religion, which is one of the basic freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This right includes not only the freedom to practice one’s religion, but also the freedom to change one’s beliefs or not to have them at all.
World Folklore Day
This day is dedicated to the preservation, study and popularization of the cultural heritage of the peoples of the world. This holiday is designed to draw attention to the importance of folklore as a source of cultural identity and spiritual wealth of each nation.
World Folklore Day was introduced in the middle of the 20th century to raise awareness of the importance of folk art. The idea of celebrating this day was supported by UNESCO, which emphasizes the importance of folklore for the preservation of cultural diversity. The main purpose of this day is to support and popularize traditions, customs, songs, dances and other forms of folk art that are passed down from generation to generation. Folklore is an integral part of the cultural heritage of every nation, and its preservation is a key task for the preservation of cultural diversity in the world.
Folklore plays an important role in the formation of national consciousness, the preservation of historical memory and the development of society. It includes not only songs and dances, but also legends, myths, folk rites, crafts and many other forms of cultural expression.
Interesting facts
World Folklore Day is celebrated in many countries of the world through festivals, exhibitions, concerts, workshops and other cultural events. These measures are aimed at preserving and popularizing folk art, as well as at supporting masters and performers of traditional art.
The celebration of this day emphasizes the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage. Many organizations and museums collect, archive and popularize folklore materials to preserve them for future generations.
Folklore often serves as a tool for strengthening intercultural ties and mutual understanding. At international folklore festivals, representatives of different cultures demonstrate their traditions, which promotes mutual respect and friendship between peoples.
Modern interest in folklore is observed in many countries of the world. Young people are increasingly turning to their roots, learning folk songs, dances, crafts and other forms of folklore, reviving and popularizing them in new formats.
Historical events that took place on this day
1485 year — Battle of Bosworth, War of the Red and White Roses. On this day, a decisive battle took place in England between the forces of the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. The Battle of Bosworth was the final act of the War of the Red and White Roses, a decades-long conflict for the English throne. The victory was won by Henry Tudor, who became King Henry VII and started the Tudor dynasty.
1456 year — Vlad Dracula became the prince of Wallachia. Vlad III, also known as Vlad Dracula, gained power in Wallachia (modern Romania). This ruler, thanks to his cruelty, became a legendary character, which later served as the basis for the creation of the image of Count Dracula in literature.
1770 year — Captain James Cook landed on the east coast of Australia. The British explorer James Cook landed on the east coast of Australia and declared these lands the possession of the British crown, which became an important step in the expansion of the British Empire.
1795 year — adoption of the Constitution in the French Republic. On this day, the Constitution was adopted in France, which abolished universal suffrage, laying the foundation for a new political system. This document became part of the political evolution of France after the Great French Revolution.
1849 year — the first aerial bombardment. The Austrian army, which surrounded Venice, used aviation for bombing for the first time in history, dropping incendiary shells from balloons. This case became a harbinger of the future development of military aviation.
1846 year — New Mexico joined the United States. After the Mexican-American War, New Mexico officially became part of the United States, which became part of the westward expansion of US territory.
1864 year — signing of the first Geneva Convention. On this day, the first Geneva Convention was signed, which established international humanitarian law and became the basis for the creation of the Red Cross Society. The Convention laid down the principles of protection of victims of armed conflicts.
1909 year — the world’s first air show in Reims. In the French city of Reims, the world’s first air show began, which became an important event in the history of aviation, showing the potential of aircraft and their capabilities.
1910 year — signing of the treaty on the accession of Korea to Japan. This treaty led to the annexation of Korea by Japan, which lasted until the end of World War II. This decision had serious consequences for the Korean people, particularly in terms of repression and colonial rule.
1918 year — exchange of charters between the Ottoman Empire and the Ukrainian State. This event marked the official recognition of the Ukrainian State by the Ottoman Empire in the period after the conclusion of the Brest-Litovsk Peace, which was of great importance for the international status of Ukraine.
1991 year — departmentalization of internal affairs bodies of Ukraine. The collegium of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR adopted a decision on departitioning, which became an important step in the reform of the power structures of Ukraine after the declaration of independence.
1992 year — transfer of the certificate of legal succession to the National People’s Republic of Ukraine. The President of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in exile, Mykola Plavyuk, handed the letter to the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, recognizing independent Ukraine as the legal successor of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. This symbolized the historical connection between the two states and the legitimization of Ukrainian independence.
2006 year — Tu-154 plane crash in Donetsk region. On this day, a tragic plane crash occurred, as a result of which 160 passengers and 10 crew members died. This event became one of the biggest aviation tragedies in the history of Ukraine.
On August 22, 1864, the first Geneva Convention was signed – an important event that became the basis of international humanitarian law and influenced the development of modern approaches to the protection of victims of armed conflicts.
Swiss businessman Henri Dunant was deeply moved by the brutal scenes of suffering on the battlefield of Solferino, where French and Austrian troops suffered heavy losses. This massacre was a turning point that forced Dunant to think about how to alleviate the fate of the wounded in wars. Returning to Geneva, he decided to do everything possible to change the situation. Together with the jurist Gustave Mounier, Dunant founded the organization that later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross. The initiative of this organization was the adoption of the Geneva Convention in 1864, which initiated a new approach to conducting military operations.
The first Geneva Convention was signed by representatives of 16 states that gathered at an international conference in Geneva. The main idea of the Convention was to provide assistance and protection to any wounded person, regardless of which state he belongs to – allied or enemy. This international agreement provided for the relief of the fate of wounded and sick soldiers during the war.
Later, other states joined the Convention, and at the time of its signing, it was ratified by 32 countries: all European states, six American states (USA, Argentine Republic, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, San Salvador) and one Asian country — Persia.
For the first time, the Geneva Convention established an identification mark for medical institutions and personnel — a red cross on a white background, which became a symbol of protection and humanity.
The convention also defined the rights of participants in armed conflicts, which are prohibited during wartime, and established time frames for the validity of these provisions. According to the Convention, citizens of states that have not signed the agreement are not under its protection. Violation of the provisions of the Geneva Convention was considered a war crime punishable as crimes against humanity.
Each country that signed the Convention undertook to search for persons accused of violations of this international agreement and, regardless of their nationality, to bring them to justice. Commanders could also be held responsible for war crimes if they knew about the possibility of their subordinates committing crimes, but did not take measures to prevent them. It is important to note that war crimes do not have a statute of limitations.
The history of the creation of the first Geneva Convention and its influence on the world community is well illustrated by the well-known painting of the combat artist Vasyl Vereshchagin entitled “Apotheosis of War”. This philosophical and pacifist work is dedicated to all the great conquerors of the past, present and future, as indicated on the picture frame. There is a legend that the canvas was originally called “Triumph of Tamerlane” and was inspired by the story of the cruel actions of Tamerlane, who ordered his soldiers to put the heads of sinners in pyramids. Later, having seen with his own eyes the horrors and death during the conquest of Turkestan, Vereshchagin decided to change the name of the painting to the more general and symbolic “Apotheosis of War”.
This day and the signing of the first Geneva Convention represent an important step in the fight for humanity in wars and give hope that even in the darkest times people can maintain humanity and respect for life.
Ray Douglas Bradbury was born on August 22, 1920
On August 22, 1920, Ray Douglas Bradbury, one of the greatest dreamers and visionaries of the 20th century, was born in the city of Waukegan, Illinois. This outstanding American writer became a true legend in the field of science fiction, parables and fairy tales, leaving an indelible mark in literature.
Bradbury grew up in a family that he jokingly called “an amazing collection of influential people.” He wrote about himself as follows: “Jules Verne was my father. Herbert Wells is a wise uncle. Edgar Allan Poe was my cousin who, like a bat, was forever circling in the dark attic of our house. And if we talk about my mother, then, most likely, she was Mary Shelley, the creator of “Frankenstein”. How could I not become a science fiction writer growing up in a family like that?”
Bradbury’s creativity is called unique – he was that rare author who knew how to create phrases that remain with us forever. His words are often quoted and have become life mottos for many generations. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “When you are 17, you know everything. If you are 27 and you still know everything, then you are still 17.”
- “The first thing you learn in life is that you are a fool. The last thing you’ll know is that you’re still the same fool.”
- “There are worse crimes than burning books. For example, don’t read them.”
- “No one wins in war. Everyone just loses, and the one who loses last asks for peace.”
- “Looking for rabbits in a hat is a hopeless business, just like looking for a drop of common sense in some people’s head.”
- “He who does not create must destroy. It is as old as the world. Psychology of juvenile criminals”.
- “Each new generation leaves us people who remember the mistakes of humanity.”
- “A real scientist is a romantic. Only romantics believe that everything is possible.”
- “Smile, don’t give pleasure to trouble.”
- “When they ask us what we do, we will answer: we remember. Yes, we are the memory of humanity, and therefore we will definitely win in the end.”
Bradbury left behind not only unforgettable works, but also wisdom that inspires. This great writer gave the world not just fantastic stories, but also deep reflections on human nature, society, love, fears and hopes. His works live on and influence readers around the world, making his legacy an immortal literary classic.
