December 2 is International Abolition Day, World Pollution Prevention Day, Special Education Day, World Computer Literacy Day and International Model Railway Day. This day is also full of interesting historical events.
International Day of Struggle for the Abolition of Slavery
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and aims to draw attention to the fight against modern forms of slavery, such as human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child labour, forced labour, forced marriages and illegal exploitation of workers.
The date to mark this day was chosen to be the anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Convention on Combating Trafficking in Persons and the Exploitation of Prostitution by Third Parties, which became a landmark step in the global fight against slavery. It was adopted on December 2, 1949.
Historically, slavery existed for thousands of years and took many forms. From ancient times to modern times, millions of people have suffered severe restrictions on their freedom. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a global movement for the abolition of slavery developed. In 1807, Great Britain became the first country to outlaw the slave trade, and in 1865, the United States of America officially abolished slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Although slavery is legally prohibited in all countries of the world, modern forms of slavery still exist. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), more than 50 million people in the world are in a state of modern slavery, of which more than 27 million are in a state of forced labor. Many of them work in the textile, construction, agricultural industries and even in households. A separate problem is human trafficking, which brings billions of dollars to criminal groups every year. The main victims of this crime are women, children and members of vulnerable population groups.
Interesting facts
Haiti became the first independent country to completely abolish slavery in 1804 after a successful revolution.
In 2007, Great Britain passed the Modern Slavery Act, which aims to combat human exploitation in all its forms.
The world is actively developing technologies for detecting and monitoring situations of modern slavery, including mobile applications for sending signals for help.
The subject of slavery is reflected in many books, films and exhibitions. For example, the film “12 Years a Slave” won an Oscar and drew the attention of millions of people to this topic.
World Pollution Prevention Day
This day is designed to draw attention to the global problem of environmental pollution and to find ways to solve it. For the first time, this day began to be celebrated as a way to remind about the serious consequences of pollution for human health and the ecosystem. Pollution of water, air, soil, as well as the accumulation of waste have become global challenges that require an urgent solution. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people die every year from diseases related to environmental pollution.
On this day, special attention is paid to preventive measures aimed at reducing emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, reducing plastic consumption, rational use of natural resources, and spreading environmental education. It is important to understand that preventing pollution is more effective than eliminating it and should become a priority for governments, businesses and every individual.
Interesting facts
More than 300 million tons of plastic are produced in the world every year, and only about 9% of it is recycled. The rest becomes waste that pollutes the oceans and land.
Air pollution is responsible for the death of about 7 million people annually, making it one of the greatest environmental threats to human health.
Innovative technologies, such as water purification with nanofilters and the use of biofuels, help to reduce the level of pollution and introduce environmentally friendly solutions.
Zero waste movements are rapidly gaining popularity, encouraging people to minimize waste and reuse resources.
Special Education Day
This day is designed to draw attention to the importance of inclusive education and support for children with special educational needs. It is a reminder of the rights of every child to access quality education, regardless of their physical, mental or emotional characteristics.
Special Education Day began in 2005 as a way to commemorate the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States in 1975. This law became an important step in the fight for equal rights for students with special needs. He ensured that every child, regardless of their ability, would have access to a free education in public schools. Over time, this holiday has spread throughout the world, because the issue of inclusion affects every society.
Special education is a learning system that adapts to the individual needs of students. It includes special teaching methods, the use of assistive technologies, as well as active support from teachers, psychologists and social workers. Inclusive approaches allow children with special needs not only to learn, but also to actively interact with their peers, which contributes to their socialization and integration into society.
Interesting facts
Modern assistive technologies, such as programs for reading text by voice or devices with a Braille display, allow children with visual or hearing impairments to learn on a par with others.
Inclusive schools promote empathy and social skills in all students, including those without special needs.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in 2006, calls on states to ensure inclusive education for all children as a basic human right.
Studies confirm that inclusive classes increase the success rate of students with special needs and contribute to their further employment.
Special Education Day is not only about ensuring access to education, but also
World Computer Literacy Day
This day is designed to draw attention to the importance of digital literacy and ensuring equal access to modern technologies. World Computer Literacy Day was first started in 2001 by NIIT Corporation (National Institute of Information Technology), an international IT company from India. The purpose of the day was to bridge the digital divide between different population groups, especially in developing countries, and to encourage women to learn computer technology.
The date of December 2 was not chosen by chance – it coincides with the anniversary of the founding of NIIT. The initiative quickly gained a global scale, as digital skills are increasingly important in today’s world.
Computer literacy is not just the ability to use a computer, but also understanding the basics of digital technologies, the ability to work with various programs and protect your data on the Internet. In today’s world, digital literacy is the key to professional growth, access to education, participation in public life and economic development.
Interesting facts
In 1981, IBM released the first personal computer (PC), which contributed to the spread of computers among the population.
According to UNESCO, more than 50% of the world’s population still does not have access to the Internet, and many people, even with access to the Internet, do not have the necessary skills to work with digital tools.
Many of today’s technological giants (Google, Microsoft, Apple) were created by people who taught themselves how to program and work with computers.
Modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are actively used to teach people digital skills, adapting the material to the needs of the learner.
Aruham Parsa from Great Britain received the Microsoft Certified Professional certificate at the age of 5, he is the youngest programmer in the world.
International Model Railway Day
Every year on December 2nd, enthusiasts around the world celebrate International Model Railway Day, a day dedicated to a unique hobby that combines creativity, technical knowledge and love of railway transport.
The International Day of Model Railways arose at the beginning of the 21st century thanks to the efforts of organizations that popularize this hobby. The date of December 2 was not chosen by chance – it symbolizes the winter period, when many people find time for their hobbies, and the atmosphere of the holidays creates favorable conditions for family leisure.
Model railroading has a long history. Back in the 19th century, railway companies began to create miniature models of trains to demonstrate to customers. Gradually, these models became popular among enthusiasts and turned into an independent hobby.
Model railways are large-scale replicas of real railway systems built for hobby, education or even exhibition purposes. Its scale can be different: from large models that occupy several rooms to compact systems that fit on a table. The most popular scales are HO, N and Z.
Interesting facts
The largest model railway in the world, Miniatur Wunderland, exists in Hamburg, it covers more than 1.5 km² and has more than 15 kilometers of tracks.
The first commercially available models appeared at the end of the 19th century thanks to the companies Märklin and Lionel.
Some models are capable of moving at a speed of more than 300 km/h (in scale).
Modern models are equipped with digital control systems that allow you to control trains via a smartphone or computer.
The hobby helps to develop attention to details, logical thinking and even reduce stress.
Historical events on this day
1015 – Prince Yaroslav the Wise ascended the grand ducal throne in Kyiv.
After the death of his father, Prince Volodymyr Svyatoslavich, Yaroslav strengthened his power, becoming one of the most famous rulers of Kievan Rus. During his reign, Kyivan Rus flourished, and Yaroslav himself received the nickname “The Wise” for his wise policy, the development of culture and the adoption of “Russian Truth” – the first written code of laws.
1805 – Battle of Austerlitz.
In Moravia (now the Czech Republic), Napoleon Bonaparte inflicted a decisive defeat on the Russian-Austrian army. This battle, called the “Battle of the Three Emperors”, became one of Napoleon’s most famous triumphs. The result was the capitulation of Austria and the subsequent weakening of the anti-French coalition.
1816 – Luddites staged acts of car destruction in London.
The Luddites, who protested against the introduction of new technologies, continued their struggle by mass destruction of machines in enterprises. They believed that mechanization was depriving them of their livelihood. This movement became a symbol of the conflict between technical progress and social justice.
1870 – Rome became the capital of Italy.
After the completion of the Risorgimento (the unification process of Italy), Rome was declared the capital of the newly created Italian state. It became a symbol of the completion of the unification of the country under the rule of King Victor Emmanuel II.
1896 – The first public movie screening in Ukraine.
The first public movie screening was held in the Kharkiv Opera Theater (now the regional philharmonic hall). This was the beginning of the development of cinematography in Ukraine.
1901 – Invention of King Gillette.
The American patented a safety razor with a disposable blade, which became a revolutionary product and soon gained popularity all over the world.
1942 – The first controlled nuclear reaction.
A group of scientists led by Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago demonstrated for the first time a controlled nuclear reaction. This event opened the era of atomic energy and laid the foundation for the development of nuclear physics.
1966 – Creation of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oil and Gas Institute.
The resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR led to the establishment of the institute, which became an important scientific and educational center for the training of specialists in the field of the oil and gas industry.
2001 – Bankruptcy of Enron Corporation.
The largest US oil corporation announced its bankruptcy, which became a symbol of corporate scandals. The investigation revealed numerous financial frauds that affected the US economy and led to changes in corporate reporting regulations.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s day of triumph
On December 2, 1804, one of the most solemn events in the history of France took place in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris – Napoleon Bonaparte was officially proclaimed emperor. This day was the culmination of his political triumph and the transformation of the French Republic into an empire.
Despite the fact that Napoleon accepted the title “Emperor of the French by the grace of God and by virtue of the Constitution” on May 6 of the same year, his proclamation was accompanied by a nationwide plebiscite. Support was almost unanimous: of the more than three and a half million voters, only about two and a half thousand spoke against it. However, it was on December 2 that a solemn ceremony took place that cemented Napoleon’s new status and changed the fate of France.
Although Bonaparte was considered a “child of the revolution”, he was never a true revolutionary. The revolutionary upheavals became for him only a springboard in his career. Napoleon always wanted a monarchical system, and his goal was a throne equal in importance to the throne of the French kings. Like Caesar, he saw himself as a ruler capable of ruling a great state. Under his leadership, the French Republic gradually turned into an empire.
Napoleon created a powerful police apparatus under the leadership of Joseph Fouche, and public opinion was under strict control. Of the 73 Parisian newspapers, only 13 remained, and all of them printed what the emperor approved of. However, despite the control and repression, the people adored the Corsican. Napoleon often showed respect for ordinary French people, which increased his popularity among the people.
The coronation ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral was organized with unprecedented splendor. To participate in it, Pope Pius VII was brought from Rome to Paris, who was actually forced to bless the emperor. However, the symbolism of the event was overshadowed by Napoleon’s gesture. When the Pope raised the crown (laurel wreath), Napoleon unexpectedly snatched it from the high priest’s hands and put it on his head. This gesture symbolized his refusal to accept the crown from anyone but himself. At the same time, the Pope had the honor of placing the crown on the head of Josephine, Napoleon’s wife, who became empress.
December 2, 1804 marked the beginning of a new era in the history of France. Napoleon not only strengthened his power, but also became a symbol of ambitions that exceeded the limits of his time. His reign promised the greatness of France, although it was accompanied by authoritarianism and wars. This day will go down in history as the moment when a great man took the final step towards his goal, cementing his name among the most famous rulers in history.
The Monroe Doctrine: “America for Americans” and its consequences
On December 2, 1823, US President James Monroe, in his annual address to Congress, announced the doctrine that became defining for US foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. The main idea of the doctrine was that the American continent should be free from European influence, and the United States undertakes not to interfere in the internal affairs of European states.
The Monroe Doctrine considered America as a territory where there should be no colonial ambitions of European states. President Monroe declared that the USA is not “a boat that follows the wake of a British cruiser”, but a country with its own system of government. In his message, he stressed that the American continents, which had gained independence, should remain free from future colonization. The US also called on its neighbors for continental solidarity.
Despite these principles, the Monroe Doctrine had other aspects. Under the slogan “America for Americans”, the USA gradually expanded its territory, annexing as a result of wars and diplomatic agreements almost half of the territory of Mexico – it is the current Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and part of Wyoming. Many countries of Latin America remain in the zone of political and economic influence of the USA to this day.
The Monroe Doctrine was first put into practice in 1865. The US government supported Mexican President Benito Juarez by providing diplomatic and military aid to fight Emperor Maximilian, who had been installed on the throne by the French government. This support was decisive in the victory of the Mexican republicans over the French troops.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt supplemented the Monroe Doctrine with the so-called “Roosevelt Justification”, which gave the US the right to exercise “international police power” in Latin America. This made it possible to intervene in the internal affairs of the countries of the region under the pretext of protection from European creditors or “chronic violations”. As a result, US Marines were sent to Santo Domingo in 1904, Nicaragua in 1911, and Haiti in 1915, ostensibly to prevent intervention by European powers.
In 1962, the Monroe Doctrine regained symbolic significance during the Caribbean crisis, when the United States opposed the placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba. This became a vivid example of how the principle of non-intervention was used to justify active US actions.
However, the doctrine was not always followed. For example, in the case of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, when Great Britain, violating the principles of the Monroe Doctrine, forcibly returned control over the territory previously held by Argentina.
The Monroe Doctrine became the basis for American geopolitical dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Although its proclamation called for non-intervention and freedom for American countries, in practice it was often used to justify US expansion and influence on neighboring states.
The scandalous case of Pavlo Lazarenko
On December 2, 1998, former Prime Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Lazarenko was detained in Switzerland on charges of financial fraud and money laundering stolen from the Ukrainian budget. After being in a Swiss prison, Lazarenko was released on bail and returned to Kyiv. However, his political career soon collapsed due to a series of corruption allegations.
On February 9, 1999, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine appealed to the Verkhovna Rada with a request to deprive Lazarenko of parliamentary immunity. Already on February 17, the Verkhovna Rada supported this decision with 310 votes, which paved the way for his arrest. Only the members of the “Hromada” faction and the socialists of Oleksandr Moroz voted against it, who declared that this was a confrontation between “criminal clans” — the government and the opposition Lazarenko.
After losing his immunity, Lazarenko left Ukraine. At first, according to the official version, he went to Greece for treatment. However, in February 1999, he was deported to the United States at the request of the San Francisco court, which began hearing the case of the stolen $113 million. According to the UN and the World Bank, Lazarenko illegally appropriated about 200 million dollars during his tenure as prime minister. Ukrainian sources claimed that the total amount of illegally withdrawn funds exceeded 320 million dollars, but the American side was able to prove the transfer of only 114 million dollars.
The scandal with Lazarenko also caused a political split. His faction “Hromada” ceased to exist, and a number of its members, including Yulia Tymoshenko and Oleksandr Turchynov, created a new party “Batkivshchyna”. This left Lazarenko a political outcast.
In the USA, the San Francisco federal court found Pavlo Lazarenko guilty of corruption, money laundering, extortion and fraud. He was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined $10 million. Lazarenko served more than eight years in an American prison.
Today Pavlo Lazarenko lives in California, using the remains of his capital. His case became one of the biggest international corruption scandals that overshadowed Ukrainian politics in the late 1990s. It still remains a symbol of abuse of power and a challenge to the fight against corruption in Ukraine.
