On December 16, the world celebrates Summit Day, All Things Chocolate Day, and Bahrain National Day.
On this day, the “Boston Tea Party” took place, the Armed Forces switched to food according to the new system, and also the mayor of Kharkiv, Gennady Kernes, died.
Day of conquering the peaks
This holiday symbolizes the desire to reach new heights, overcome obstacles and find inspiration in every climb. Initially, this day was popular only among climbers who celebrated it in a narrow circle of family or friends. However, over time, the idea of conquering the peaks became a universal symbol available to everyone.
The Day of Conquering the Peaks is an opportunity not only for professional climbers, but also for everyone who wants to discover something new, overcome their own limitations or try themselves in unusual activities. This day reminds us that peaks are different: they can be mountains, new knowledge, achievements at work or personal victories.
Interesting facts
Everest is the highest peak in the world (8,848 meters), which was first conquered by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Since then, the mountain has become a symbol of human courage and perseverance.
There are over 1,000,000 mountains on our planet, each with a unique shape and history.
Many writers and artists, such as John Muir and Richard Strauss, found inspiration in mountain landscapes.
In 1808, Marie Paradis became the first woman to conquer Mont Blanc, proving that mountaineering is not just for men.
Although mountaineering is not a traditional Olympic event, in 2020 climbing was included in the program of the Olympic Games.
The day of everything covered in chocolate
This is a real holiday for those with a sweet tooth and everyone who adores this amazing delicacy. The event has a traditional annual character and falls on the second decade of December.
This holiday allows you to enjoy a variety of sweets and desserts covered in chocolate: from fruits and nuts to crackers, cookies and even meat products. On this day, everyone has a great opportunity to plunge into the world of chocolate pleasure and experiments.
The holiday became popular due to its versatility. Chocolate is perfectly combined with many products, giving them a special charm and exquisite taste. You can celebrate the Day of everything covered in chocolate with your family, friends or even at work by organizing a small sweet buffet.
Interesting facts
Chocolate has a long history that dates back to the Mayan civilization. They used cocoa beans as currency, and also prepared a drink from them, which they considered the food of the gods.
Chocolate has not only a pleasant taste, but also useful properties. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals and support cardiovascular health.
One of the most popular desserts in the world is chocolate-dipped strawberries. This classic is a symbol of romance and elegance.
There are even gold-plated chocolates offered in luxury restaurants as an exclusive dessert.
In some countries, such as the United States, chocolate fondue is an obligatory part of holiday feasts.
In Japan, chocolate products often have unusual flavors, for example, chocolate with wasabi or green tea.
Bahrain National Day
On December 16, National Day is celebrated in the Kingdom of Bahrain – one of the main public holidays of this country. Modern Bahrain is a state located on an archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf. This holiday is an important symbol of unity, pride and progress for the Bahraini people.
The history of this date is connected with the country’s independence. After decades of being a British protectorate, on August 15, 1971, Bahrain officially declared its independence. However, National Day is celebrated on December 16 to commemorate the accession to the throne of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the first Emir of independent Bahrain. His reign became an important stage in the formation of a modern state, the development of the economy and the preservation of cultural heritage.
National Day in Bahrain is celebrated on a grand scale. The day is filled with a variety of activities: parades and solemn ceremonies held in the capital Manami and other cities, festive concerts, fireworks and cultural performances that showcase the richness of Bahraini culture, community and family events that bring people together in a festive atmosphere.
Bahrain, despite its small size, is an important center of economy and culture in the Persian Gulf region. The country is known for its developed financial sector, rich history and tolerance for different cultures and religions.
Historical events on this day
1497 – Vasco da Gama opens new sea routes
The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama made a historic breakthrough, bypassing the Cape of Good Hope for the first time and entering the Indian Ocean. This marked the beginning of a new era of European exploration and trade with Asia, particularly with India.
1631 – Eruption of Vesuvius volcano
One of the most destructive eruptions of Vesuvius in history. Although not as famous as the 79 AD disaster, it caused significant destruction and loss of life for local residents.
1637 – Battle near Kumeyky
Rebels led by Pavel But (Pavliuk) met in a fierce battle with the Polish army. This battle became one of the important stages of the national liberation struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
1773 – Boston Tea Party
In response to the customs policy of Great Britain, residents of Boston organized a protest action, during which they threw into the sea a cargo of tea from an English ship. This event became a catalyst for the American War of Independence.
1809 – Napoleon divorced Josephine
French Emperor Napoleon I made the difficult decision to divorce Empress Josephine because she could not bear him an heir.
1838 – Battle on the Nkome River
The Boers met in a battle with the Zulus on the Nkome River, which after a bloody battle was named “Bloody River”. This battle became a symbol of the struggle of the Boers for survival in the conditions of aggression.
1880 – The beginning of the First Anglo-Boer War
A military conflict began between the British Empire and the Boer republics, which became one of the key moments in the Boers’ struggle for independence.
1899 – Founding of the football club “Milan”
In Italy, the football club “Milan” was created, which will later become one of the most successful and prestigious clubs in the world of football.
1913 – The beginning of Charlie Chaplin’s film career
At the studio “Keystone Film”, the young British actor Charlie Chaplin made his debut in the film “Fight for Life”, playing a small mustachioed swindler. This was the beginning of his legendary career.
1947 – Invention of the bipolar transistor
William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain at Bell Labs created the first working bipolar transistor, revolutionizing electronics.
1957 – Soviet expedition to the South Geomagnetic Pole
Soviet researchers reached the South Geomagnetic Pole for the first time, making a significant contribution to the study of the Antarctic.
1970 – The Hague Convention against hijacking of aircraft
The adoption of the Convention on Combating Illegal Seizure of Aircraft was an important step in international aviation security.
1979 – The first overcoming of the sound barrier on Earth
American race car driver Stan Barrett for the first time exceeded the speed of sound while driving on the earth’s surface, which became a significant event in the history of technology.
1989 – The beginning of anti-communist protests in Romania
Mass protests began in Romania, which eventually led to the overthrow of the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu. These events became part of a wave of democratic changes in Eastern Europe.
1991 – Turkey recognized the independence of Ukraine
Turkey became one of the first countries to officially recognize the independence of Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR.
2014 – Russia has terminated the agreement with the US on nuclear security
Russia terminated a secret agreement from 1991 that provided for cooperation with the United States in ensuring the safety of nuclear waste. The US has invested more than $2 billion in this program, helping to build the infrastructure to prevent nuclear materials from entering the black market.
“Boston Tea Party”
On December 16, 1773, a significant event took place, which went down in history under the name “Boston Tea Party”. It actually led to the creation of the United States of America.
The reason for the conflict was money, or rather, the method of obtaining it. The English king found a way to replenish the treasury at the expense of the colonists. First, a high tax on correspondence was introduced. The Americans were outraged and completely stopped writing letters. Then the king issued a decree according to which the colonists could buy goods only in England. All American merchants importing goods from other countries were required to pass customs control in British ports.
The culmination was that the East India Company, thanks to corrupt connections, received the right to import duty-free tea to the colonies. This caused real indignation among the residents of Boston. The Sons of Liberty organization, which consisted of colonial merchants and traders and was founded in protest against the Stamp Duty Act and other forms of taxation, decided to act. On December 16, 1773, members of this organization, dressed in traditional Indian clothing, raided British ships and threw overboard all 342 bales of high-quality English tea with a total value of 10,000 pounds (which exceeds $1 million by today’s standards).
It is interesting that the revolutionaries acted very carefully: the next day they replaced the broken lock of the captain of one of the ships with a new one, and all the property of the ships remained intact and intact. Everything that was displaced during the action, they returned back.
In response to these actions, the British government decided to: close the port of Boston until full compensation for damages; change the governor of the colony; introduce martial law and send additional troops to the colonies; pass the Intolerance Act (also known as the Quartering Act), which allowed British troops to be stationed in colonists’ homes without their consent.
At the same time, not all Americans supported the action in Boston Harbor. George Washington sharply condemned the actions of the revolutionaries, calling the Bostonians “insane”. He, like many other representatives of the elite, considered private property inviolable. Benjamin Franklin insisted that the East India Company should receive compensation for the lost tea and even offered to pay for his losses with his own money.
However, the “Boston Tea Party” became a symbol of resistance to the British government and ended with the slogan of the “Sons of Liberty”: “Liberty or death.” Already in the spring of 1775, the first military clashes between colonists and British troops took place in Lexington and Concord. These events marked the beginning of the War of Independence and led to the creation of the United States of America.
Transition to the food of the Armed Forces under the new system
On December 16, 2007, the Ukrainian army reformed the supply system, completely switching to a new food system with the involvement of private business structures. Acting Minister of Defense Anatoly Hrytsenko then stated:
“From today, 100% of the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine switched to food under a new system of provision with the involvement of private business structures. From now on, about 2,000 people, or about 20 companies, who used to line up daily in the kitchen to wash dishes, peel potatoes, and clean dining halls, will be engaged exclusively in combat training.”
This reform aimed to increase the efficiency of the army by reducing the support functions in the military units. Thanks to this, it was possible to increase the number of combat units by 16% and reduce 3,259 positions in the food supply system of the troops. It seemed that this approach would become the foundation for a modern and combat-ready army.
However, the events of 2014 revealed that despite reforming the food system and other attempts at modernization, the Ukrainian army was unprepared for large-scale challenges. This forced the government and the military leadership to reconsider the approach to the provision and organization of the army.
The next reform of the food system in the Armed Forces of Ukraine began in 2015. It became fully operational in 2018, when the implementation of NATO standards became a priority. The new food system was aimed at improving the quality of provision of servicemen, their diet and logistics. This transition not only brought the Ukrainian army closer to NATO standards, but also became a symbol of ongoing reforms in the military sphere.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Hennadiy Kernes, died
On the night of December 16-17, 2020, Kharkiv Mayor Gennadiy Kernes passed away at the Charite clinic in Berlin due to complications caused by COVID-19. This news came as a shock to many Kharkiv residents. In his memory, December 17 and 18 were declared days of mourning in Kharkiv. His figure left an ambiguous, but undoubtedly important mark in the history of the city and the country.
Gennadiy Kernes entered the history of Kharkiv not only with his deeds, but also with his statements, which became iconic. He often impressed his interlocutors with directness and sharpness of expressions, which made his public speeches unforgettable. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
“Calculations and reality are different indicators.”
“You can meet me everywhere – on the entire territory of Kharkiv. Citizens should know and see their mayor. In turn, the city manager must also know and see what is happening in the city.”
His activities and words evoked various thoughts and emotions among the residents of Kharkiv and beyond. Even after his death, there are many rumors, including that Kernes may have been killed. However, whatever the truth, he will remain a part of the history of Kharkiv and Ukraine with his work, charisma and ambiguity.
