On August 29, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Remembrance of Defenders of Ukraine.
On this day, the world celebrates the International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests, World Video Games Day, International Motorcycle Birthday.
Memorial Day of defenders of Ukraine
On August 29, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Remembrance of Defenders of Ukraine, who died in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. This memorial day was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi in 2019. The date was not chosen by chance – it was on this day in 2014 that tragic events took place in Ilovaisk, known as the Ilovaisk tragedy.
The Ilovai tragedy became one of the most tragic episodes of the war in eastern Ukraine. During the fighting for the city of Ilovaisk, Donetsk region, in August 2014, Ukrainian troops were surrounded by regular Russian troops and separatists supported by them. Despite the agreement on a safe exit, the convoys of the Ukrainian military were fired upon, which led to significant losses among the personnel.
Memorial Day of defenders of Ukraine is a time to honor the heroes who gave their lives for the future of Ukraine, its independence and sovereignty. On this day, commemorative events, prayer services, laying of flowers at monuments and memorials to fallen soldiers are held throughout the country. Ukrainians remember not only those who died in Ilovaisk, but also all military personnel who lost their lives defending Ukraine from external aggression.
International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests
On this day, the world celebrates the International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests, which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2009 and aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of nuclear tests and their impact on the environment and human health.
On August 29, 1949, the first test of the RDS-1 atomic bomb took place at the Semipalatinsk test site in the Soviet Union. The tests were conducted by a group of Soviet scientists led by Igor Kurchatov, who is considered the “father” of the Soviet atomic bomb. This event became possible thanks to the patronage of Lavrentiy Beria, who at that time headed the NKVD.
The scientists joked that the success of their project would take them to heaven, and failure would lead to execution, alluding to Beria’s tight control, which left no room for illusions. In addition to scientific research, the project also used intelligence collected under Beria’s leadership, so the design of the Soviet bomb was largely based on the American Tovstun bomb. However, Soviet scientists managed to create a unique ballistic case and electronic stuffing.
The RDS-1 tests became a powerful signal to the US that the monopoly on nuclear weapons no longer exists.
On August 29, 1991, 42 years after the first explosion, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site was closed by the decree of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Over the years of the test site’s existence, the total power of the charges tested on it exceeded the power of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima by 2,500 times.
The International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests aims to support the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which was opened for signature in 1996. To date, 185 countries have signed it, but for it to enter into force, 8 more key countries must ratify it.
This day calls on all nations to join the global movement to end nuclear testing and achieve a nuclear-free world. The celebration of this day emphasizes the importance of peaceful resolution of conflicts and reduction of the nuclear threat.
World Video Game Day (Gamer’s Day)
World Video Game Day, also known as Gamer’s Day, is celebrated every year on August 29. This holiday is designed to unite all fans of video games, regardless of their age or preferences. On this day, gamers from all over the world gather together to enjoy their favorite games, share experiences and communicate with like-minded people.
Interesting facts
Video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. The video game market is estimated to be worth more than $200 billion in 2023, making it one of the largest segments of the entertainment industry.
Video games cover a wide range of genres, including adventure, role-playing games (RPG), first-person shooters (FPS), strategy, sports simulations, and many others, allowing everyone to find a game to suit their tastes.
In recent decades, the video game industry has evolved significantly, thanks to which new technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and cloud gaming have appeared.
International motorcycle birthday
The International Motorcycle Birthday is celebrated in honor of the invention of this popular means of transportation. This day is celebrated by motorcyclists and motorsports enthusiasts, celebrating the history of the motorcycle, its development and impact on society.
Interesting facts
The first motorcycle is believed to have been created in 1885 by German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. Their car, which was called “Daimler Reitwagen”, was equipped with a gasoline internal combustion engine.
Today, there are many styles and types of motorcycles such as cruisers, sports bikes, touring motorcycles, off-road motorcycles and many others, each of which has its own characteristics and purpose.
Motorcycles are not only a means of transportation, but have become part of the culture and lifestyle of many people around the world. They symbolize freedom, independence and the spirit of adventure. Motorcyclists unite in clubs and communities, hold festivals and meetings, celebrating a common passion for two-wheeled machines.
Historical events on this day
- 1883 year — in Ottawa, engineer Thomas Ahern demonstrated the first electric stove, which was a significant step forward in the development of household technologies.
- 1929 year — the German airship “Graf Zeppelin” completed its first round-the-world trip, proving the capabilities of aviation and technology of that time.
- 1944 year — the Slovak national uprising against the Nazi occupiers began, which became one of the key moments in the struggle for Slovakia’s freedom during the Second World War.
- 1946 year — Sweden, the Kingdom of Afghanistan and Iceland became members of the United Nations, expanding the influence of this international organization at the global level.
- 1992 year — the reburial of the relics of Patriarch Yosyp the Blind, an outstanding religious figure who was a symbol of the spiritual stability of the Ukrainian people, took place in the Church of St. George in Lviv.
- 1999 year — A memorial to the legendary Ukrainian athlete Serhiy Bubka, who gained fame as one of the best track and field athletes in the world, was erected in Donetsk.
