On August 7, the world celebrates Lighthouse Day and Professional Speaker Day. Margareta Gertrude Zelle, who later became known to the world as Mata Hari, was born on this day.
Lighthouse Day
August 7 is Lighthouse Day, a holiday that honors some of the most important navigational structures in the world. For centuries, lighthouses have helped sailors navigate safely at sea, avoid dangers, and find their way to shore.
Lighthouse Day aims to draw attention to the historical and contemporary role of lighthouses. These architectural masterpieces not only serve as vital landmarks, but are also symbols of hope and safety for seafarers.
Interesting facts about lighthouses
The first known lighthouse in the world was built in ancient Egypt. This is the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, or Pharos of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built on the island of Pharos off the coast of Alexandria around 280 BC. by order of Ptolemy II. The lighthouse served as a navigational landmark for sailors entering the port of Alexandria, and its light could be seen up to 50 kilometers away. The Alexandria lighthouse stood for over a thousand years until it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the 14th century.
The oldest operating lighthouse in the world is the A Coruña Lighthouse in Spain, known as the Tower of Hercules. It was built by the Romans almost 2000 years ago.
The first lighthouse on the territory of modern Ukraine was built in Chersonese, on the coast of the Black Sea, near modern Sevastopol. This lighthouse, known as the Chersonese Lighthouse, was built in 1816. It became an important navigation landmark for ships sailing in the Black Sea. The Chersonese lighthouse was one of the first lighthouses on the territory of the then Russian Empire and played an important role in ensuring the safety of navigation in this region.
The lighthouse that stands today was reconstructed in 1951 after extensive damage during World War II. It continues to work even today, being one of the oldest operating lighthouses in Ukraine.
The tallest lighthouse in the world is located in Saudi Arabia in the city of Jeddah. Its height is 133 meters.
Many modern lighthouses are automated and no longer require the constant presence of a caretaker. However, some older lighthouses are still maintained by hand.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was destroyed by an earthquake, but remains a symbol of navigation and architecture.
Today, many lighthouses are open to tourists, who can climb to their tops and enjoy the magnificent views. For example, the lighthouse on the island of Heligoland in Germany attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Lighthouses often appear in literature and art as symbols of hope, guidance, and peace. They inspired many writers and artists to create masterpieces.
Day of the professional speaker
On August 7, the world celebrates Professional Speaker Day. This day is dedicated to people who have made the art of public speaking, counseling and motivation, training and sharing experiences their profession.
Professional Speaker Day aims to highlight the importance of public speaking in today’s world. Speakers are key figures in the field of training, corporate governance, motivation and personal development. They help people achieve their goals, change their thinking and influence society.
Interesting facts about professional speakers
Some of the most famous speakers, such as Tony Robbins, earn millions of dollars a year from their speaking engagements and seminars.
Many great people in history have been great public speakers, including Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, and John F. Kennedy. Their speeches are still studied and quoted.
There are numerous courses and trainings available to help people improve their public speaking skills. One of the most famous authors of books on public speaking is Dale Carnegie, whose book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is a classic.
Successful entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Richard Branson often speak at various conferences and events, sharing their business strategies and experiences.
People like Nik Vujcic, who have extraordinary stories of life and overcoming difficulties, inspire millions of people around the world.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many speakers have moved to online platforms, allowing them to reach an even larger audience. It also made it possible for people from different parts of the world to participate in the events.
Historical events on this day:
- 2008 year: a war broke out in South Ossetia, leading to a serious military conflict between Russia and Georgia.
- 2000 year: the first hydrogen electric car was created in Japan, which was an important step in the development of environmentally friendly transport.
- 1993 year: part of Buckingham Palace has opened to visitors for the first time, allowing tourists to see the royal apartments from the inside.
- 1970 year: the first chess tournament with the participation of computers took place, which was a significant breakthrough in the development of artificial intelligence.
- 1964 year: the US adopted the Tonkin Resolution, which allowed for a significant expansion of the country’s participation in the Vietnam War.
- 1960 year: Ivory Coast declared independence from France, gaining freedom after a long period of colonial rule.
- 1944 year: the first American programmable computer “Mark I” was launched, which became an important step in the development of computing technology.
- 1942 year: the Guadalcanal Campaign begins, when Allied forces land on the islands of Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Gavutu Tanambogo in the Solomon Islands archipelago.
- 1932 year: in the Soviet Union, the “Law of Five Ears” was adopted, which led to mass repressions and convictions.
- 1918 year: The Ukrainian State and the All-Russian Don Army signed an agreement on the establishment of borders.
- 1888 year: the first victim of Jack the Ripper, one of the most famous serial killers in history, is discovered.
Margareta Gertrude Zelle
On August 7, 1876, Margareta Gertrude Zelle, who later became known to the world as Mata Hari, was born in the Netherlands. She grew up in an ordinary family, but her life turned out to be far from ordinary. After she got married and lived in Indonesia for a while, Margaretha returned to Europe, where she began a career as an exotic dancer. She quickly gained popularity in Paris and other European capitals.
Secrets and espionage
Mata Hari became famous not only for her dancing talents, but also for her “entangled relationships” with dignitaries. During the First World War, she began to engage in espionage, although she was not a professional agent. French public prosecutor Andre Mornay called her “the greatest spy of our century” and accused her of passing secrets to Germany that allegedly led to the death of 50,000 French soldiers.
Accusations and evidence
Among the accusations were: selling secrets to the Germans, receiving money from the German embassy and having a “German accent”. The established facts were only the receipt of money, her accent and connections with many influential persons. Among her acquaintances were the famous composers Jules Massenet and Giacomo Puccini, the financier Baron Henri de Rothschild, as well as numerous diplomats and soldiers from different countries.
Life and legacy
Mata Hari led a luxurious life. For example, in Berlin, a wealthy officer, Alfred Kippert, gave her 300,000 gold marks, which is equivalent to more than 4 million US dollars today. Her nickname means “Sun” in Malay – “mata” is translated as “eye” and “hari” is translated as “day”. German intelligence assigned it the code name H-21.
Trial and execution
Her defender was the 75-year-old French lawyer Edouard Clune, who was also one of her many admirers. She did not admit guilt, declaring: “A courtesan, yes, but a traitor, never! I have always lived for love and pleasure.”
On October 15, 1917, Mata Hari was executed on a military training ground in Vincennes, near Paris. According to legend, she gave up her blindfold and blew a kiss to the soldiers before giving the command: “I’m ready, gentlemen!”. One of the soldiers fainted, and the firing squad commander said: “This lady knows how to die.”
After death
Mother Hari’s body was not claimed by relatives and was transferred to the anatomical theater. Her head was embalmed and kept in the Paris Museum of Anatomy. However, in 2000, archivists discovered that the head had disappeared.
Inheritance and disputes
Many case materials still remain classified, probably because of the high-ranking persons with whom she had connections. Most historians believe that her arrest and prosecution were orchestrated by French officials to boost the nation’s morale during military defeats.
British and Dutch counter-intelligence lieutenant colonel Orest Pinto once said: “Mata Hari has definitely won great fame. In the eyes of the public, she became the personification of a charming female spy. But Mata Hari was a foolish expansive creature. If she had not been executed, she would not have become famous as a martyr and no one would have even heard of her.”
The story of Mata Hari remains complex and ambiguous, with numerous myths and legends surrounding her life and death. She will forever remain a symbol of female beauty, intrigue and mystery.
