August 26 is International Actor’s Day and International Dog Day.
Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910.
On August 26, 1907, the famous illusionist Harry Houdini performed one of his most impressive tricks, which went down in world history.
International actor’s day
International Actor’s Day, which is celebrated on August 26, is a holiday dedicated to all those who work in the theater and film industry. It’s a day when we pay tribute to the talent and dedication of actors who bring characters to life on stage and screen.
Interesting facts
The date of August 26 has a symbolic meaning, because this day in many countries of the world marks the end of the theater season, as well as the opening of new productions and premieres.
Many famous actors have other professions or achievements in different fields. One of the most famous acting presidents in the world is Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States. Before his political career, he was a successful Hollywood actor, appearing in over 50 films. Reagan was a popular film actor in the 1930s and 1940s and even became president of the Screen Actors Guild of America. His acting experience helped him in politics, especially in the art of public speaking and communication with voters.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the current president of Ukraine, also has an acting background. Before becoming president, Zelenskyi was a famous comedian, actor and producer. He gained widespread popularity thanks to his role in the TV series “Servant of the People”, where he played a teacher who unexpectedly became the president of Ukraine. This series became prophetic, because a few years after its release, Zelensky really became the president of the country.
The first president of Liberia, Joseph “Al” Jefferson, also had an acting background. Although he was not a professional actor, Jefferson was well known for his theatrical performances in the early 19th century before becoming one of the founders and the first president of Liberia in 1848.
Although Mykhailo Hrushevskyi is better known as a historian and politician, he also had an interest in theater and wrote dramatic works. His love for literature and theater played an important role in shaping his outlook and political views.
Also, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not only known as an actor, but was also the governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
Theatrical art has deep roots that go back to ancient times. The first theatrical performances took place in ancient Greece, where actors performed roles in religious rituals and mythological events.
The famous English actor Christopher Lee held the record for the longest acting career. He worked in cinema for more than 70 years, appearing in more than 250 films.
In many ancient cultures, women were forbidden to perform on stage, so all female roles were performed by men. This tradition continued until the 17th century, when women were finally allowed to act on stage.
Early films were silent and actors had to use expressive gestures and facial expressions to convey the emotions of their characters. This created a special style of acting, which differs from modern acting techniques.
Actors sometimes go through extraordinary changes to play their roles. For example, Robert De Niro gained 27 kg for the role of Jake LaMotta in the movie “Raging Bull” in order to best match the image of his character.
According to legend, the first actor was the Greek poet Thespis, who in the 6th century BC. separated from the chorus and began to perform separate roles, thereby creating the basis for the development of theater as an art.
The Oscar Award, presented by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is the most prestigious award for actors. The first laureate of this award was Emil Yannings in 1929 for his roles in the films “The Last Order” and “The Way of Smiles”.
International Dog Day
International Dog Day, celebrated annually on August 26, is a holiday dedicated to our four-legged friends. It is not only a day when we express our love for pets, but also an occasion to remind about the importance of responsible treatment of animals.
This holiday was started by the American Colin Page in 2004 to draw attention to the problems of homeless animals and the need for their protection. On this day, events are held around the world to raise awareness of animal cruelty, the importance of sterilization and responsible care.
International Dog Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that dogs make to our lives. They are not only faithful friends and family members, but also help people in various fields: from law enforcement to medical assistance.
Interesting facts
Studies have shown that dogs are able to recognize the emotions of people, focusing on facial expressions and intonation of voice. They can sense when their owner is sad or happy, and are even able to empathize.
The English Mastiff is considered one of the largest dog breeds in the world. One of the most famous representatives of the breed, named Zorba, weighed 155 kg and was more than 2.5 meters long from nose to tail.
Just as people have unique fingerprints, so dogs have unique nose prints. The pattern of their noses is so unique that it can be used to identify the animal.
Previously, it was believed that dogs see the world in black and white. However, studies have shown that they can distinguish some colors, although their color perception is limited compared to humans.
Most dog breeds are born swimmers. Breeds such as retrievers, Labradors, and Newfoundlands are especially known for their swimming skills and are used for water rescue operations.
Saluki is considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Her image was found on ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to around 2100 BC.
A dog’s sense of smell is about 40 times stronger than a human’s. Some breeds, such as Beagles or German Shepherds, have olfactory receptors that allow them to detect odors that are thousands of times weaker than those we can perceive.
Like people, dogs can have a dominant “paw”. Some studies have shown that about 50% of dogs have an advantage in using one paw.
There are more than 340 recognized dog breeds in the world, each of which has its own unique characteristics and characteristics. They range from miniature Chihuahuas to huge St. Bernards.
It is known that the presence of a dog reduces stress and increases the level of oxytocin, the hormone of happiness. This is one of the reasons why dogs are often used in therapy, especially for people with post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.
Historical events on this day
1907 year. The famous illusionist Harry Houdini performed one of his most famous tricks. Chained and submerged in water, he was able to free himself and float to the surface in just 57 seconds, once again confirming his status as the greatest illusionist of his time.
1914 year. On this day, one of the most famous football clubs in Brazil, Palmeiras, was founded. The club, which has a deep history, has become one of the main forces in Brazilian football, having won numerous trophies and recognition.
1918 year. Young Walt Disney, the future legendary animator and founder of one of the largest entertainment empires in the world, decided to play a trick by falsifying his documents in order to increase his age and enter the service of the Red Cross during the First World War.
1918 year. The Ukrainian State and the Ottoman Empire exchanged letters that officially approved the ratification of the Brest Peace Treaty. This treaty was an important step in establishing peace between the two countries after grueling military conflicts.
1926 year. Fiorentina football club was founded in the Kingdom of Italy, which later became one of the most famous football clubs in Italy. “Fiorentina” repeatedly won national championships and European tournaments.
1939 year. On the eve of the Second World War, Adolf Hitler issued an ultimatum to Poland demanding the transfer of the city of Danzig (now Gdańsk) to Germany. This event was one of the last steps that led to the beginning of the global conflict.
1939 year. The II Great Meeting of Ukrainian Nationalists took place in Rome, at which the political program of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists was adopted. During the meeting, the head of the OUN was re-elected, and Andriy Melnyk, known for his contribution to the struggle for Ukraine’s independence, remained.
1945 year. The Ukrainian SSR, being one of the founders of the United Nations, ratified the UN Charter, thereby officially confirming its participation in this international organization.
1972 year. The 20th Olympic Games, which were supposed to be a celebration of sports and peace, were solemnly opened in Munich. However, these Games were overshadowed by tragic events – a terrorist act against Israeli athletes that shocked the whole world.
1991 year. In the conditions of political changes and transformations in Ukraine, the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR decided to temporarily suspend the activities of the Communist Party of Ukraine. This decision became one of the symbolic moments in the process of Ukraine gaining independence.
August 26, 1910 in the Macedonian city of Skopje, Agnesa Gonje Boyadzhiu was born, who later became known to the whole world as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, or Mother Teresa. Her life became an example of tireless work and sacrificial love for the needy.
At the age of 18, Agnes went to Ireland to learn English, which was to become her main language of communication in her future missionary work. This trip was a turning point in her life, because she never saw her mother or her sisters again. Devoting herself to the service of God, Agnes entered the monastery and took monastic vows in 1931, taking the name Thérèse in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
After the haircut, Mother Teresa was sent to India, where she immersed herself in the work that became her life’s calling – helping the poorest and most rejected people. In 1950, she founded the “Missionary Sisters of Love” monastic community, which by 2012 had more than 4,500 sisters and was active in 133 countries of the world. The missions of the Mother Teresa community were usually located in natural disaster zones and in economically disadvantaged regions, where they provided assistance to those who needed it most.
During her lifetime, Mother Teresa received more than 120 awards and prizes, including the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize, which was a recognition of her enormous contribution to helping humanity.
In 2003, Mother Teresa was canonized by the Catholic Church, and on September 4, 2016, Pope Francis declared her a saint in St. Peter’s Square. At this solemn ceremony, he emphasized her unique role, noting: “Most likely, I think we will continue to call her Mother Teresa.”
The quotes of Saint Teresa of Calcutta have become a kind of guide for many people around the world. They express her deep understanding of life and love:
- “After receiving another blow from life, tell yourself: “Everything could have been much worse” and smile!”.
- “If you want to make the whole world happy, go home and love your family.”
- “The hunger for love is much more difficult to satisfy than the hunger for bread.”
- “Loneliness and the feeling of one’s uselessness is the most terrible kind of poverty.”
- “Everything we do is just a drop in the ocean. But without this drop, the ocean would be smaller”
- “There are no keys to happiness – the door is always open.”
- “God doesn’t wait for you to succeed, God waits for you to try.”
However, not everyone felt the same way about Mother Teresa. Some critics argued that she was not a friend of the poor, but a friend of poverty itself, pointing out that her approach to aid was more about maintaining the system than tackling the roots of poverty. She was also accused of corruption and even of ties to Masonic lodges, although these allegations were never proven. The life and work of St. Teresa of Calcutta remains a symbol of selfless love and service to one’s neighbor, and her legacy continues to inspire millions of people around the world.
On August 26, 1907, the famous illusionist Harry Houdini performed one of his most impressive tricks, which went down in world history. In San Francisco, in the water park “Orpheum”, Houdini, wrapped in heavy chains, was immersed in water. The audience held their breath as they watched him sink under the water, from which it seemed impossible to get out. But after only 57 seconds, Houdini rose to the surface, completely freed from the shackles, which caused an explosion of applause from the audience. This trick was another confirmation of his reputation as the greatest master of escapes.
Breaking free from shackles was Harry Houdini’s favorite trick. He gained worldwide fame by exhibiting his art in all major prisons in the United States and Europe. Handcuffed, he not only freed himself from them, but also managed to get out of locked cells, often leaving the door open behind him. In one of the most famous cases, in Washington, he was placed in the cell that once held the assassin of President Garfield. Houdini not only managed to get out, but also managed to change the places of all the prisoners in the neighboring cells, which left an impression of real magic.
No less impressive was his performance in 1903 during a tour of Russia, when he demonstrated his art in the infamous Butyr prison in Moscow. Houdini was locked in a special box made of wood and lined with iron. This box was used to transport particularly dangerous criminals to hard labor in Siberia. One key to the box was kept in Moscow, the other – at the final destination in Siberia. During several weeks of moving, the doors were not opened, and the prisoners had no chance to escape. However, Houdini was able to get out of the box in just 27 minutes, again stunning everyone with his artistry.
Despite all his triumphs, Harry Houdini’s death was tragic and unexpected. One of his fans, who decided to test the magician’s famous “abdominal press”, punched him several times in the stomach without giving him time to prepare. This led to a rupture of the appendix, which caused fatal complications. On October 31, 1926, on Halloween, the “king of magicians” passed away. Before his death, he said to his brother Theo: “I’m tired of fighting. It seems that this time I lost.”
Harry Houdini’s magic tricks remain a mystery even decades after his death. During his lifetime, he promised to reveal his secrets in his will, but when his heirs opened the document, they found not a single word about his magical techniques. This became the last, symbolic miracle of the master magician, who until the end left the world guessing about his incredible abilities.
