December 14 is celebrated in Ukraine as the Day of Commemoration of the participants in the liquidation of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP (Liquidator’s Day), in the world – World Energy Saving Day and “More Good Today” Day.
Day of commemoration of participants in the liquidation of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP (Liquidator’s Day)
Every year on December 14, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Commemoration of the Liquidators of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This date was not chosen by chance: it was on this day in 1986 that the construction of the sarcophagus over the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was completed. This metal and concrete dome became a temporary barrier to radiation that threatened the lives of millions of people.
The Chernobyl disaster became the largest man-made accident in the history of mankind, hundreds of thousands of people were involved in the elimination of its consequences. Liquidators are firefighters, soldiers, doctors, engineers, scientists and simple volunteers. They put out fires, cleaned the area of radioactive waste, built a shelter over the reactor and fought the consequences of radiation pollution. Many of them worked without sufficient protection, which caused serious consequences for their health. Hundreds of thousands of liquidators received fatal doses of radiation, and many of them died in the first years after the accident. However, their feat saved not only Ukraine, but also the whole world from the catastrophic consequences of the spread of radioactive materials.
The day of honoring liquidators is not only an opportunity to thank those who risked their lives for the sake of others, but also a reminder of the price of man-made disasters. Today, the memory of liquidator heroes is immortalized in memorials, books and films. Their example is a symbol of self-sacrifice and courage.
Interesting facts
The first sarcophagus, named “Shelter”, was built 206 days after the accident. It was supposed to prevent further release of radiation, although its design was temporary. In 2016, it was replaced by a modern arch – the largest mobile structure in the world.
In the first hours after the explosion, the level of radiation near the reactor exceeded permissible standards by hundreds of thousands of times. Liquidators worked in conditions where any protection was minimally effective.
The radiation background level in the first days after the accident exceeded the norm by 87,000 times!
Station employees were the first to deal with the consequences of the disaster. Then firefighters arrived at the scene of the accident, extinguishing the flames without knowing the real danger. Many of them died within days of acute radiation sickness.
According to the most modest estimates, at least 90,000 people took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chornobyl NPP.
In addition to the NPP personnel, local policemen, as well as employees seconded from Kyiv, took part in the liquidation. They were performing their official duties and were also engaged in burying radioactively contaminated soil.
From May 4, 1986 to March 1, 1987, patrols and guards at the border of the 30-kilometer zone detained about 11,000 looters who were trying to take advantage of the abandoned property and valuables of evacuated citizens.
The territory within a radius of 30 kilometers from the Chornobyl NPP was declared an exclusion zone. It remains dangerous for life even today, although nature is recovering here, creating a unique reserve.
Elimination of the consequences of Chernobyl influenced world energy policy, leading to increased control over the safety of nuclear plants.
World Energy Saving Day
This is an important date that reminds of the responsibility of each person to conserve energy resources and care for the environment. The idea of the holiday is to draw society’s attention to the rational use of energy, the promotion of ecological technologies and the development of renewable energy sources.
Energy conservation is a key aspect of the fight against climate change, because the rational use of resources allows reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources for future generations. In today’s world, energy efficiency is becoming not only a requirement of the time, but also an economically beneficial solution that helps reduce costs for electricity, heating and transport.
On this day, many countries hold educational campaigns, environmental forums, events to popularize “green” technologies and specific ways to save energy in everyday life. People are urged to turn off lights, save water, use energy-efficient appliances and reduce consumption of natural resources.
Interesting facts
World Energy Saving Day was started in 2008 on the initiative of international environmental organizations.
A simple switch to energy-efficient lamps can reduce electricity consumption by 70%.
Electric vehicles and public transport are considered the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption in the field of transport.
The solar energy that the Earth receives in 1 hour can provide the energy needs of the whole world for a year.
Devices in standby mode consume about 5-10% of electricity, so they should be turned off completely.
According to the UN, energy efficiency measures can reduce global energy consumption by 40% by 2040.
“More Good Today” Day
This holiday calls each of us to do small but good deeds to change the world for the better. It’s a day when it’s important to focus on positivity, helping others, and simple acts of kindness that can bring joy to the lives of those around you.
This day does not require large resources or complicated plans. It reminds us that even the smallest gesture – a smile, kind words, or helping someone in need – can become important to someone else. The main idea of the holiday is to create a positive impact here and now, showing how small changes can lead to big results.
In today’s world, full of challenges, the Day “More Good Today” inspires to pay attention to the goodness and humanity that exists in each of us. This is an opportunity to start a tradition of daily small good deeds that can eventually turn into something much bigger.
Interesting facts
Scientists have proven that even one good deed a day can improve the emotional state of both the person who does it and the one who receives help.
Many good deeds start a domino effect: after receiving good, a person often passes it on.
The day “More Good Today” is based on the concept of positive psychology, which states that good actions increase the level of happiness and satisfaction with life.
The day is celebrated in different countries and in different ways, from raising money for charity to simple gestures of support, such as treating a stranger to coffee or writing a thank-you note.
Historical events on this day
1900 – The birthday of quantum mechanics. It was on this day that the German physicist Max Planck presented his famous formula, which laid the foundations of quantum theory and changed the way we think about physics.
1901 – The first table tennis tournament was held in London. This was a significant event for the development of this sport, which today is included in the program of the Olympic Games.
1903 – The Wright brothers made the first attempt to take off in their airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Although this attempt was unsuccessful, it was an important step towards the creation of aviation.
1911 – Man conquered the South Pole for the first time. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team reached this point ahead of Robert Scott’s British expedition.
1918 – Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky abdicated power in favor of the Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, which became a key moment in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence.
1935 – The Kyiv Operetta Theater opened. His premiere performance was Johann Strauss’s operetta “Bat”, which still remains a classic of world operetta art.
1939 – The Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations due to aggression against Finland, which became an important political step of the international community.
1944 – The Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the RSFSR changed the names of 11 districts and the corresponding district centers of Crimea, replacing the Crimean Tatar and German names with Russian ones.
1949 – Jerusalem was declared the capital of Israel. This decision had a significant political and religious resonance in the world.
1950 – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was founded, which protects and supports millions of displaced people around the world.
1955 – 16 new states became members of the UN, including Austria, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Bulgaria, Finland and others. This was a significant step in the development of international diplomacy.
1958 – The Soviet Antarctic expedition reached the pole of inaccessibility in Antarctica – the farthest point from the coast.
1960 – In Paris, the Convention on the establishment of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which unites the most developed economies of the world, was signed.
1994 – Ukraine carried out the first experimental satellite broadcast of the “International Slavic Channel”, initiating a new stage in the development of television in the region.
2008 – Egyptian journalist Muntazar Al Zeidi threw a shoe at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. It became a symbolic protest against the US policy in Iraq.
2009 – Stockholm launched the world’s first mobile network based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, which opened a new era of mobile Internet.
History of achievements in Antarctica
December 14, 1911 became a significant date in the history of Antarctic research. It was on this day that the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole of the Earth for the first time, traveling by dog sled. The first thing he said when describing this historical point: “Incredibly flat plain.” This expedition was the result of an intense struggle for supremacy in the conquest of Antarctica and left a noticeable mark in world geography.
On December 14, 1958, the Soviet Antarctic expedition first reached the Pole of Inaccessibility – the furthest point of the continent from the coast. The Pole of Inaccessibility temporary station was established there. A plastic bust of Lenin was installed on the roof of the station, which symbolized the presence of the Soviet Union even in the most remote places of the planet. Today, the station building is buried under several meters of snow, but according to eyewitnesses, the statue of Lenin is still visible on the surface.
Almost half a century later, on December 14, 2005, the Spanish Transantarctic Expedition reached the same Pole of Inaccessibility using towing kites. This innovative technology made it possible to make an unusual and successful trip to this unique place.
Antarctica remains one of the most mysterious and harsh territories on the planet. Its visit is limited – only the military or specially selected scientists can get to the mainland. According to the international agreement on Antarctica, ships are prohibited from entering south of the 60th degree of latitude. The importation of any weapons, except for fake guns and knives, as well as the placement of nuclear facilities is strictly prohibited. In addition, animals and plants are not allowed to be imported in order to preserve the continent’s unique ecosystem.
The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest reservoir of ice on Earth, storing up to 90% of all the planet’s ice reserves. This vast source of fresh water is critical to the global climate system. At the same time, the depths of Antarctica hide significant natural wealth. For example, oil reserves in the Weddell Sea are twice that of Saudi Arabia.
Antarctica is not only a land of scientific research, but also a symbol of international cooperation and human efforts to preserve nature for future generations. The history of her research reminds us of the indomitability of the human spirit and the desire to know the unknown.
The fall of the hetmanate of Pavel Skoropadskyi
On December 14, 1918, at two o’clock in the afternoon, Hetman of Ukraine Pavlo Petrovych Skoropadskyi left his palace in Kyiv and went to Germany, where he spent the rest of his life in exile. He died at the end of the Second World War from a bomb.
Pavlo Skoropadskyi was an ambiguous figure who sought to develop Ukrainian statehood, but his political views often caused controversy. He believed that narrow Ukrainian nationalism is a product brought from Galicia, which lacks its own culture, and that such a model is unsuitable for the development of Ukraine. In his opinion, Ukrainian should be the state language, but rejecting Russian culture, science and art would be a mistake.
Skoropadsky emphasized that Crimea should belong to Ukraine, although the form of this union could vary from autonomy to complete merger. He also claimed that Ukraine cannot exist without cooperation with Crimea in an economic sense. The politician believed that Ukraine can prosper only if both cultures – Ukrainian and Russian – are developed, otherwise it risks becoming dependent on other nations.
In his reasoning, Skoropadskyi often analyzed the behavior of figures who came to Ukraine from Soviet Russia. He noted that such people first admired Kyiv, its climate and culture, but later changed their minds and began to argue that Ukraine has no prospects and should become a part of indivisible Russia.
Skoropadsky left behind a complex but valuable legacy. His ideas still cause debate today, and his political experience remains an important lesson for understanding the complexities of building Ukrainian statehood. The hetman’s fate is a reminder of how difficult it is to find a balance between the development of national identity and cooperation with other cultures.
Adoption of a directive on preparations for atomic bombing
On December 14, 1945, the United States Joint Military Planning Committee adopted directive No. 432/d, which provided for preparations for the atomic bombing of twenty major political and industrial centers of the Soviet Union. This military plan, known under the code name “Ticks”, aimed to use the entire available stock of atomic bombs at that time – 196 units.
To carry out the task, it was planned to use modernized B-29 bombers as carriers of atomic weapons. The main strategy was to deliver a sudden first blow, which was supposed to put the Soviet leadership in front of the fact of the futility of further resistance.
According to the “Tick” plan, a number of others appeared, with no less frightening names: “Hot Day”, “Creating Heat”, “Shake” and “Trojan”. These plans reflected the tensions and mutual distrust that prevailed between the great powers after World War II. It is worth noting that the Soviet side also developed its military strategies, although most of them remained only on paper.
Fortunately, none of these apocalyptic scenarios have come to pass. This is a reminder of how important the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully is. Remembering the lessons of the Cold War, we must strive for dialogue and cooperation to prevent the recurrence of similar threats in the future.
Detention of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Eka Zguladze
On December 14, 2015, the Ukrainian mass media reported that the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Eka Zguladze, was detained at Boryspil airport while trying to take 4 million US dollars to France. When asked by the representatives of the relevant authorities, Zguladze, smiling, explained that these were her “personal things”. According to her, the money was intended for the organization of the medical process in Paris. The situation, according to rumors, was resolved with the help of “telephone law”.
On March 11, 2016, Eka Zguladze resigned at her own request. However, she stated that she would remain an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs. Whether she really continues to hold this position is not known for sure.
Zguladze, who gained considerable experience in reforming Georgia, is known for her ambitious statements, one of which is:
“Everything must be made simpler, everything must be transparent. Public procurement, for example, tenders, to optimize traffic police. We optimized the traffic police. Yes, we fired several thousand people, and Georgia was left without a police force for two weeks – nothing like that happened. When the militia becomes the police, when the policemen have good salaries, new uniforms, cars with gasoline, and it is clear that they serve the country, not themselves, it will become prestigious. And good police officers can be found anywhere.”
Her approach to reforms was aimed at maximum openness, reducing redundant staff and creating a new police structure. In particular, she played a key role in the creation of the patrol police in Ukraine.
Despite promises and statements, Zguladze’s reforms have been repeatedly criticized. Her optimization methods have caused controversy, and financial incidents and rumors of corruption have only added to the ambiguity of her reputation. The events in Boryspil became one of the most scandalous moments of her tenure.
