December 15 is celebrated in Ukraine as the Day of Court Workers, in the world – the Day of the United Nations Environmental Protection Organization (UNEP) and Tea Day. This day is also full of interesting historical events.
Day of Court Employees of Ukraine
This is a professional holiday established to honor those who stand guard every day for the law and justice. This date was approved by the decree of the President of Ukraine in 2000, which emphasizes the importance and significance of the judicial system in the formation of the rule of law.
The role of court employees is extremely important for society. They ensure impartial consideration of cases, compliance with the principle of the rule of law, as well as protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens. This applies to both judges and other employees of the judicial system – secretaries of the court session, bailiffs, archivists and many other specialists, without whom the proper functioning of the courts would be impossible.
On this day, solemn events are traditionally held in Ukraine, at which employees of the judicial system are congratulated, and the best of them are awarded with honorary diplomas and awards for professional achievements. It is also an opportunity to draw society’s attention to the role of courts in ensuring law and order and protecting constitutional rights.
Interesting facts
Court Employees’ Day was introduced in honor of the adoption of the first law of independent Ukraine, which defined the foundations of the state’s judicial system.
December 15 was not chosen by chance. It was on this day that a new stage in the history of Ukrainian justice began, which determined its independence and role in a democratic society.
Court Workers’ Day coincides with universally recognized principles of justice supported by international organizations such as the United Nations.
In many countries of the world, there are also similar holidays dedicated to employees of the legal system, which emphasizes the universal importance of justice.
United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) Foundation Day
This event is an important milestone in the history of global environmental governance and sustainable development, emphasizing the need to preserve the planet’s natural resources and ensure ecological balance.
UNEP was founded in 1972 as part of the UN Conference on the Environment in Stockholm. This event was a turning point that laid the foundation for international cooperation in the field of nature protection. The organization is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, making it the only UN agency based in Africa.
The main goal of UNEP is to coordinate the efforts of countries to solve global environmental problems such as climate change, ocean pollution, biodiversity loss and many others. The organization also promotes environmental education, promotes the development of renewable energy sources, and creates political tools to ensure sustainable development.
UNEP plays a key role in shaping and enforcing international environmental standards. For example, the program supports the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and cooperates with countries within the framework of the “Green Economy” initiative, which is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and developing environmentally safe technologies.
Interesting facts
UNEP played a key role in creating the Montreal Protocol, which successfully halted the depletion of the ozone layer.
Every year, the organization publishes the report “Global Environmental Assessment”, which analyzes the state of the planet and makes recommendations for future actions.
UNEP established the “Champions of the Earth” award, which is presented annually to outstanding individuals and organizations for achievements in the field of environmental protection.
The organization is actively working on ecotourism programs, popularizing travel that has minimal impact on nature.
UNEP supports the global youth environmental movement through campaigns, educational initiatives and partnerships.
tea day
This is an unofficial holiday, which is designed to draw attention to the importance of tea as one of the most widespread cultures in the world. The holiday was first celebrated in tea-producing countries: India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malaysia and Malawi.
The initiative to celebrate Tea Day arose in the early 2000s. The main goal is to draw attention to the socio-economic issues related to the production and trade of tea, as well as to honor the millions of workers in the tea industry who work hard every day to create this popular drink.
Tea is the second most popular liquid in the world after water, and its history goes back thousands of years. Starting from ancient China, tea has spread to different corners of the world, becoming a symbol of hospitality, traditions and culture. In many countries, tea drinking is not only a habit, but also a real ritual that unites people.
Tea Day became a platform to discuss the challenges faced by the tea industry. These include low incomes for plantation workers, climate change affecting crops, and increasing competition in the international market.
Interesting facts
Tea began to be consumed more than 5000 years ago in China.
There are more than 1,500 types of tea, including black, green, white, oolong, pu-erh, and herbal teas.
In Japan, tea making is a real art that combines aesthetics, spirituality and traditions.
In Tibet, tea bars were used as a form of payment in ancient times.
India and China are the largest producers of tea in the world, providing more than half of the world’s volume.
Historical events on this day
1699 – By decree of Tsar Peter I, the Julian calendar was introduced in Muscovy, replacing the calendar from the “creation of the world”. The countdown and celebration of the new year has been postponed from September 1 to January 1. This reform was an important step in the modernization of the Russian Empire.
1880 – The first water main was built in Kharkiv. This became possible thanks to the efforts of the Kharkiv Water Supply Company. The event marked the beginning of modern water supply in the city.
1917 – The Democratic Republic of Moldova was proclaimed in Chisinau. It became an autonomous part of the Russian Republic, which reflected the desire for self-determination of peoples in the stormy revolutionary period.
1917 – The Ukrainian Central Rada adopted the law on the establishment of the General Court. This act became an important milestone in the formation of the judicial system of independent Ukraine.
1932 – The Central Committee of the CP(b)U approved the list of 82 districts of Ukraine, where the supply of industrial and food goods stopped due to disruption of grain procurement plans. This was the beginning of the policy that led to the Holodomor.
1932 – V. Molotov and Y. Stalin was ordered to stop Ukrainization in the Far East, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and other regions. Ukrainian publications and newspapers were translated into Russian in order to prevent the penetration of “bourgeois-nationalist elements”.
1934 – In Kyiv, in the basements of the NKVD, 28 people accused in the “Union of Ukrainian Nationalists” case invented by the Chekists were shot. Among the victims are writers Dmytro Falkivskyi, Hryhoriy Kosinka, Kost Burevii, Oleksa Vlyzko and Ivan Krushelnytskyi.
1950 – The Convention on the establishment of the Customs Cooperation Council, which in 1994 became the World Customs Organization, was signed in Brussels.
1966 – French astronomer Audouin Dolphus discovered Saturn’s satellite Janus, which changes orbit with the satellite Epimetheus once every four years.
1970 – For the first time, an Earth spacecraft landed on another planet. The interplanetary station “Venera-7” landed on the surface of Venus.
2000 – The Chornobyl NPP has finally stopped working in Ukraine. Despite the built protective “sarcophagus”, the destroyed reactor continued to emit radiation.
2000 – Participants of the action “Ukraine without Kuchma” set up the first tents on Independence Square in Kyiv as a sign of protest against the policy of President Leonid Kuchma.
2006 – The first test flight of the fifth-generation fighter-bomber F-35 “Lightning” II took place.
2009 – The first test flight of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
2018 – At the Unification Council in Kyiv, which was held in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, the autocephalous local Orthodox Church of Ukraine, or the Holy Church of Ukraine, was created. Epiphany, Metropolitan of Pereyaslav and Bylotserkiv UOC KP, was elected as its head with the title “Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine”. This became a historical event for Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
Metropolitan Emmanuel of Gali, who was the hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, presided over the Council. The cathedral was held in “closed” mode. The working language at the Cathedral was English, but simultaneous translation into Ukrainian was provided.
A windmill is patented in Holland
On December 15, 1593, a windmill with a crankshaft was patented in Holland. Windmills have become a real business card of Holland. The first such mills appeared in antiquity, but it was the Dutch who made them an integral part of their culture. In a flat area where the wind constantly blew, these wooden giants appeared everywhere. They were used to thresh grain, saw wood, pump water and press materials. These mills produced lumber, paint, oil, paper, and foodstuffs such as bread and mustard in Holland. Windmills also helped to drain lakes and swampy areas. Over the past 600 years, the area of the country has increased by 10% thanks to their work. This can be called the first “green” technologies.
Interestingly, windmills in Holland had their own language, which has existed since at least the 16th century. The position of the wings could indicate important events in the life of the miller and his family. If the wings stood in the shape of a straight cross, it meant that the mill was working in the usual mode. If the wings were arranged in the form of a “St. Andrew’s cross”, this indicated repairs or a temporary stoppage of work. The tilt of the wings to the right symbolized mourning for the death of someone from the family. The tilt of the wings to the left indicated a joyful event, for example, a wedding or the birth of a child.
During World War II, windmills became a means of communication for the Dutch resistance. With the help of the different position of the wings, the millers sent signals to the British pilots, indicating the location of strategically important objects, such as airfields or ammunition depots. This system remained unsolved for the Nazis.
However, modern “green” energy is facing new challenges. For example, modern wind turbine blades are made of composite materials that are practically impossible to recycle. The lack of technologies for the disposal of such blades creates serious problems for the environment. Moreover, in Scotland, during winter weather, windmills were started with the help of diesel generators to ensure the production of electricity. This caused a lot of criticism and ironic remarks, because such “green” technologies are not always environmentally friendly.
These cases remind us that even the most innovative eco-technologies can have their drawbacks. For example, one AA battery can pollute up to 20 square meters of land. This calls for a careful attitude towards nature and the need to find new solutions to protect the environment.
The ceremony of transferring Napoleon’s ashes
On December 15, 1840, a solemn ceremony was held in Paris to transfer Napoleon’s ashes, brought from the island of St. Helena, to the tomb in the cathedral of the House of Invalids. Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in exile on May 5, 1821, ended his life with the words: “France… the army… the vanguard…”.
The initiative to return Napoleon’s ashes belonged to King Louis-Philippe, who sought to restore the greatness of France. Negotiations with Great Britain for the removal of the remains continued for several years, as even the deceased Napoleon aroused fears among his former enemies. However, the king managed to achieve his goal.
Honoré de Balzac described the event as follows:
“The banks of the Seine were black with throngs, and all fell to their knees as the ship sailed past them. This is greater than the triumphs of the Roman emperors. His face did not blacken, his hand remained expressive. He is a person who retained his influence until the end.”
Hundreds of statues and triumphal columns were created for the ceremony, and the building of the House of Invalids was draped with purple velvet decorated with bees.
The following took part in the ceremony: a military band, which performed mourning melodies; the emperor’s war horse under saddle and harness; honorary escort of officers and horsemen; former adjutants of Napoleon, employees of the Imperial House, prefects, mayors of Paris and rural communes.
The ceremony was accompanied by the performance of Mozart’s famous requiem, which was performed by 150 musicians and 150 singers, and solo parts were performed by artists of the “Grand Opera” and the Italian theater. The climax was the moment when a veteran of the Battle of Wagram shouted: “Emperor!”, after which the Prince de Jouanville, on behalf of France, accepted Napoleon’s ashes and placed his sword on the coffin.
The emperor’s ashes were encased in six coffins, which were placed in a red porphyry sarcophagus donated by Emperor Nicholas I. Napoleon’s eternal peace is guarded by twelve sculptures of the goddess of victory, Nika, each of which symbolizes one of the great battles won by Bonaparte.
Napoleon said:
“I was going to create a Europe where citizens would have one nationality and could move from one end to the other with one passport.”
These words still provoke reflection on the legacy of this outstanding historical figure.
The world’s first open trial of German-fascist criminals
On December 15, 1943, the world’s first open trial of German-fascist criminals who participated in war crimes on the territory of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region during the occupation began in Kharkiv. Three Hitlerites were on the dock: Captain Wilhelm Landheld, Untersturmführer SS Hans Ritz, senior corporal of the German secret field police Reinhard Retzlav, as well as a Soviet citizen, the driver of the “dushogapka” M. P. Bulanov. They were accused of mass destruction of civilians.
On December 18, 1943, all the accused were found guilty of the crimes provided for in the first part of the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 19, 1943. The court sentenced them to death by hanging. The guilt of the defendants was proven on the basis of trophy documents, forensic medical examinations, testimonies of victims, interrogations of German prisoners of war, as well as acts of the Extraordinary State Commission (SSC). Qualified translators and three well-known lawyers in the USSR worked at the court. The investigation was able to document only 30,000 murders with specific perpetrators. The defendants tried to justify themselves with the “system” and hierarchy of orders.
On December 19, 1943, in the presence of more than 40,000 Kharkiv residents, the criminals were hanged at Blagovishchenskyi Market, a place where the occupiers had previously carried out mass executions themselves.
The Kharkiv trial created a legal precedent that was later confirmed by the Nuremberg Tribunal: “The order does not exempt from responsibility for genocide.”
