December 23 is celebrated in Ukraine as the Day of operational control servicemen of all levels, and in the world – the World Snowboard Day and the Feast of Human Light, or the Day of Inner Light.
Day of Ukrainian servicemen of operational control
This is a professional holiday, which is also called the Day of staff specialties and special communication troops. It honors those who ensure effective coordination of military actions, planning of operations, as well as reliable communication in the armed forces of Ukraine.
Staff specialists and military signalmen perform important tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of the army. They are key figures in the system of operational management of military units, create clear communication channels and ensure the speed and accuracy of information transfer between different levels of command.
This holiday has become a symbol of recognition of the role of people who, remaining out of the general public’s attention, perform one of the most important functions in the modern army — ensuring the operational and coordinated actions of military forces.
Interesting facts
The role of staff specialists and signalmen dates back to the earliest times when armies needed clear planning and transmission of orders. In its modern form, operational control began to develop actively in the 20th century thanks to technological advances.
Military personnel in this category not only plan and coordinate operations, but are also responsible for the functioning of secure communication systems. Their work often includes the use of the most modern data encryption technologies.
A feature of staff specialties is constant readiness for quick decision-making. In critical situations, they must ensure impeccable organization, because even the smallest mistake can affect the course of hostilities.
Special forces operate in difficult environments, ensuring the stability of communications even in the most extreme situations, such as enemy interference or adverse weather conditions.
In the course of modern hostilities, in particular during the war with Russia, operational control servicemen play a decisive role in preserving the integrity of Ukrainian defense lines.
World Snowboard Day
This is an annual holiday that unites snowboarders from all over the world. Its goal is to popularize this exciting winter sport, create a community of snowboarders and attract newcomers to an active lifestyle on snow.
This day is celebrated in many countries, usually in December, when the snow fun season begins. International winter sports federations, snowboarding clubs and sports brands act as organizers of the event.
World Snowboard Day was first celebrated in 2006. Its creation was initiated by the European Snowboard Association (EuroSIMA) and the World Snowboard Federation (WSF). This day quickly gained popularity due to the unique format of the celebration, which combines sports competitions, training, workshops and parties.
Interesting facts
More than 40 countries and more than 100 resorts participate in the holiday every year.
Many resorts have reduced prices on equipment rentals and ski passes especially for this day.
As part of the events, environmental education campaigns are often held, emphasizing the importance of preserving mountain ecosystems.
The participants of the holiday are both professionals and beginners, which makes this day a great opportunity to get to know the sport.
Often, during the celebrations, funds are collected to support young athletes or environmental projects.
The Feast of Human Light, or the Day of Inner Light
The Holiday of Human Light, also known as the Day of Inner Light, appeared in 2001 as a unique initiative aimed at uniting people in the pursuit of goodness, harmony and self-discovery. It has no religious basis, therefore it is universal and open to everyone regardless of nationality, religion or cultural traditions.
This holiday reminds us that each person is a source of inner light — a symbol of love, wisdom and inner strength. The idea is to take time for self-reflection, be thankful for what you have in life, and think about ways to make the world a better place.
The Day of Inner Light is usually celebrated in a calm and cozy atmosphere. People meditate, engage in creativity, read inspirational literature or communicate with loved ones. Some organize small events where they share their thoughts about happiness, goodness and positive influence on the environment. A popular symbol of the holiday is a lighted candle, which represents the inner light of each person.
Interesting facts
The idea of the holiday belongs to a group of enthusiasts who wanted to create a day that unites people around positive values.
Despite its recent appearance, the Day of Inner Light has gained popularity in many countries due to its universal philosophy.
On this day, many people simultaneously light candles in different parts of the world as a symbol of unity.
One of the mottos of the holiday is the phrase: “The light within us illuminates the way to others.”
Although the official date is considered to be 2001, the concept of the holiday was discussed as early as the mid-1990s.
In some countries, this day is accompanied by charity actions – people help those in need, showing their “inner light”.
Historical events on this day
1583 year
Pope Clement VIII officially accepted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of the Vatican. Although this act was intended to unify Christianity, it caused outrage in Ukraine. The population perceived this step as a threat of Latinization and Polonization, which increased tensions between religious communities.
1846 year
Brothers George and Michael Boeing started a bicycle manufacturing company. Over time, this business evolved into the aircraft giant known today as the Boeing Corporation, which is engaged in the creation of aircraft and the organization of air transportation.
1873 year
Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society was founded on this day. This organization became a key platform for the development of Ukrainian science, culture and literature.
1913 year
The first flight of Igor Sikorsky’s legendary plane “Ilya Muromets” took place. It was a breakthrough in aircraft construction, because “Ilya Muromets” became one of the first heavy bombers in the world.
1947 year
American scientists Walter Brattain and William Shockley presented the transistor at Bell Laboratories. This invention revolutionized the world of electronics, ushering in the era of computer technology. Later, the inventors were awarded the Nobel Prize.
1953 year
At a special session of the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR Lavrentiy Beria was sentenced to death. The official version says that he was executed on the same day.
1954 year
The first ever successful kidney transplant was performed in Boston (Brigham Hospital). The donor was Ronald Herrick, who donated an organ to his twin brother. This operation became an important stage in the development of transplantology.
1968 year
American astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill Anders became the first people to reach the orbit of the moon. Their flight became part of the Apollo 8 mission, which opened a new era in space exploration.
1972 year
The capital of Nicaragua, Managua, suffered a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5. As a result of the tragedy, more than 10 thousand people died, and the city was practically destroyed.
1986 year
Dissident and academician Andriy Sakharov returned to Moscow after a seven-year exile in Gorky. His return became an important moment in the struggle for human rights in the USSR.
1990 year
At the referendum in Slovenia, 88% of citizens voted for independence from Yugoslavia. This step marked the beginning of the breakup of Yugoslavia and the creation of a sovereign Slovenian state.
1991 year
Ukraine received recognition of its independence from Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Costa Rica. Diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan were also established on this day.
1995 year
In India, during the New Year holidays, a fire broke out in the city of Dabwali, which killed 540 people, including 170 children. This tragedy became one of the deadliest in the recent history of the country.
2015 year
Russian hackers launched a large-scale cyber attack on energy companies of Ukraine. This incident was the first documented case of successful use of cyber attacks to disrupt the operation of the power system.
The story of Van Gogh’s severed ear
On December 23, 1888, the Republican Forum newspaper reported on a shocking incident:
“At half past twelve at night, a certain Vincent Van Gogh, an artist from Holland, appeared at brothel No. 1. When he met a girl named Rachel, he handed her his severed ear with the words, “Keep it like the apple of your eye,” and then disappeared. In the morning, the police found this man at home, in bed, with almost no signs of life. The unfortunate man was urgently taken to the hospital.”
This story, which became a symbol of the artist’s dramatic life, was surrounded by myths for many years.
Modern journalists conducted their own investigation and found out that the real name of the girl to whom Van Gogh gave his ear is Gabrielle Berliatier. Her father was a farmer, and the girl herself worked as a maid in a brothel, not a prostitute, as was previously believed. Later, Gabrielle got married and did not talk about this episode of her life until her death.
It is believed that the artist, prone to unstable behavior and depression, self-harmed. That day, he had a big fight with his friend and colleague Paul Gauguin, with whom he lived in a rented house. Enraged, Van Gogh attacked Gauguin with a razor, but he managed to escape and stayed the night in a hotel. In desperation, the artist rinsed his ear.
Van Gogh remained obscure during his lifetime. For the entire time, he sold only one painting – “Red Vineyards in Arles”, receiving 400 francs for it. In 1890, experiencing another mental breakdown, the artist shot himself.
Today, Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous and most expensive artists in the world. His works are valued at tens of millions of dollars, and his life remains a symbol of the artist’s struggle with his demons and misunderstanding of the world.
