On this day

December 25: holidays and events on this day

Christmas and Hanukkah are celebrated in Ukraine and the world on December 25.

On December 25, 1914, against the background of the outbreak of the First World War, a unique phenomenon took place – the Christmas Truce.

On December 25, 1933, the Ukrainian satirist Ostap Vyshnya, whose real name is Pavlo Gubenko, was accused of counter-revolutionary activities and sentenced to be shot.

On December 25, 1977, the world lost a film legend — Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, known as Charlie Chaplin.

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine on December 25, one of the most important holidays in the Christian tradition. This date corresponds to the Gregorian and Neo-Julian calendars used by most Western churches, as well as some Orthodox churches. Previously, Christmas was mostly celebrated in Ukraine on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. The transition to the celebration on December 25 is connected with the desire for integration with European traditions and the desire for unity with other Christian denominations.

It is interesting that this day of Christ’s birth symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, because it is close to the winter solstice. Many countries also celebrate Christmas on December 25, and this day is an official holiday in more than 100 countries around the world. Since 2017, December 25 has also been recognized as a public holiday in Ukraine, which has enabled citizens to choose when to celebrate, taking into account their own religious traditions.

Interesting facts

Christmas as a holiday began to take shape in the first centuries of Christianity. At first, Christians did not celebrate the birthday of Jesus, because they considered his resurrection more important. However, already in the IV century, during the Roman Empire, December 25 was officially established as the date of Christmas. This is due to the fact that on this day Rome celebrated the Day of the Invincible Sun (Sol Invictus), and Christians decided to replace the pagan holiday with their own, symbolizing Jesus as the “Light of the World”.

In Christian tradition, there is no exact birth date for Jesus, but December 25 was chosen to show the connection with the natural cycle of renewal. In addition, the tradition of setting up Christmas nativity scenes, which originated in Italy in the 13th century, has become popular in the world. In Ukraine, this tradition has acquired a special flavor thanks to unique folk songs – carols.

In the Eastern Church, Christmas was originally celebrated on January 6, together with the Epiphany in the feast known as Theophany. However, in the 5th century, the Western tradition began to influence Eastern Christians, and the dates of the celebration were divided. However, some churches still adhere to the old traditions and celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar.

The tradition of setting up a Christmas tree appeared only in the 15th century in Germany. At first, the tree was decorated with apples, which symbolized the tree of paradise, and candles reminded of the light of Christ. While carols, which have become an integral part of the celebration in Ukraine, originate from pre-Christian songs, which later acquired a new meaning associated with the birth of the Savior.

 

Hanukkah

It is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and usually falls in December. It was established in honor of the restoration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks in the II century BC. The main event commemorated during Hanukkah is the miracle of the Menorah lamp: after the temple was cleaned, only one jar of consecrated oil was found, which should have been enough for one day, but it burned for eight days. This event became a symbol of God’s support and faith.

The holiday is accompanied by the lighting of the Menorah, a special candlestick with nine candles. One candle is lit every evening, adding to them one at a time, until they are all lit. During Hanukkah, families gather together, sing traditional songs, play dreidel (a special game with a four-sided spindle), and eat fried foods such as latkes (potato fritters) and sufganiot (doughnuts).

Interesting facts

Hanukkah has many interesting aspects that make this holiday unique in Jewish culture. For example, Hanukkah is one of the few holidays that is not mentioned in the Torah because it appeared after the events described in the sacred texts. The establishment of the holiday was due to the significance of the miracle when the Menorah lamp in the temple burned for eight days, although it had only one day’s supply of consecrated oil. This symbolic gesture emphasizes the importance of faith even in times of trial.

The game of dreidel, which is an integral part of holiday traditions, also has its own history. This four-sided jig with letters on the edges was once used as a method of covert learning. During times of persecution, the Jews held classes with the Torah, and in case of danger, they simply started a game to distract attention.

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Traditional Hanukkah meals are cooked in oil, a reminder of the miracle of the Menorah. For example, latkes – potato fritters, and sufganiot – donuts, have become favorite holiday treats. Although it is not traditional to give gifts during Hanukkah, it has become a popular practice in the modern world, especially among children, adding even more joy to the holiday.

The light of the Menorah, which is lit during Hanukkah, symbolizes not only an ancient miracle, but also a desire for spiritual enlightenment, which is still relevant today.

Variety of Dates: Since the holiday is celebrated according to the Jewish lunar calendar, it falls on different dates of the Gregorian calendar.

Historical events on this day

1492 – The caravel “Santa Maria”, on which Christopher Columbus reached the shores of America, had an accident off the coast of Haiti due to the mistake of the watchman. After the collision with the reefs, local Indians helped to save the ship’s cargo, guns and food, but the caravel itself could not be saved. This was a turning point in the expedition that discovered a new continent.

1758 – German astronomer Johann Georg Palich first observed the famous comet, the return of which was predicted by Edmund Halley. This comet, now known as Halley’s Comet, has become a symbol of the triumph of astronomy and human curiosity.

1950 – Four students from the Scottish University of Glasgow carried out a daring action: they stole the Skunk stone, which symbolized the power of Scotland, from Westminster Abbey. This artifact was once taken by the British, and its return became an act of protest against historical injustice.

1951 – The first electronic computing machine (ECM) in the USSR was put into operation in Kyiv. This breakthrough in technology became the basis for the further development of computing in the Soviet Union.

1968 – The legendary band “Led Zeppelin” went on its first tour of the United States. This event marked the beginning of an era of popularity for the band, which became one of the most influential in the world of rock music.

1969 – American traveler Arthur Blessit started the world’s longest journey on foot. For 29 years, he walked 55,011 kilometers, carrying a large wooden cross that symbolized his faith and life mission.

1975 – A monument to the Ukrainian writer Ivan Kotlyarevskyi, the founder of the new Ukrainian literature, was opened in Kyiv. This became an important event in the cultural life of the country.

1979 – The Soviet Union entered its troops into Afghanistan. This move led to a protracted war that had significant consequences for both Afghanistan and the USSR.

1987 – “Time” magazine called Mikhail Gorbachev “man of the year”, noting his contribution to changing the world order and reforming the Soviet Union.

1989 – Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed in Romania after a popular uprising. This day became a symbol of the fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe.

1991 – Mikhail Gorbachev resigned from the post of President of the USSR, which officially ended the existence of the Soviet Union.

1992 – The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine registered the company “Memorial” named after Vasyl Stus. This organization is engaged in human rights protection, preservation of historical memory and support of cultural initiatives.

2002 – The trial against the members of UNA-UNSO in the Holosiivskyi court of Kyiv has ended. They were accused of rioting on March 9, 2001, and some of them were given suspended sentences. This case caused a great resonance in society.

Christmas truce

On December 25, 1914, against the background of the outbreak of the First World War, a unique phenomenon took place – the Christmas truce, which was initiated by the soldiers of the opposing sides. It all started with the fact that Christmas carols sounded from the German trenches, to which the British soldiers unexpectedly responded with their own songs. From the greeting shouts of “Merry Christmas!” to the mutual exchange of souvenirs, tobacco, chocolate and even joint football – an unusual peace quickly spread throughout the front line.

The soldiers went to the neutral zone, exchanged gifts, said kind words to each other in different languages, and even jointly organized the burial of the dead. They buried their opponents in mass graves, reading prayers in their native languages. It was a touching and at the same time tragic event that reminded us of humanity even in the darkest times.

However, the command did not like this brotherhood. The very next year, strict orders were issued that categorically forbade friendly communication between the warring parties. Moreover, in order to avoid the repetition of such events, it was on Christmas that they began to organize increased artillery shelling. The archives contain information that one of the opponents of the Christmas truce was a young corporal Adolf Hitler, who served in the 16th reserve regiment of Bavaria.

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Society perceived this event in different ways. For some, it became a symbol of the absurdity of war, for others – a brief glimpse of hope for peace. But the main conclusion that united everyone sounded tragic: the war will continue. And indeed, after a brief reconciliation, the fighting flared up with renewed vigor, leaving the Christmas truce only a memory of humanity on the killing field.

Ostap Vyshny was sentenced to be shot

On December 25, 1933, the Ukrainian satirist Ostap Vyshnya, whose real name is Pavlo Gubenko, was accused of counter-revolutionary activities and sentenced to be shot. Later, the sentence was changed to 10 years of imprisonment in the camps. Vishnya, who called himself “twice saved”, experienced dramatic events that changed his life forever.

He was saved from death for the first time in 1921. After his arrest by the Cheka in Kyiv in October 1920, he was transported to Kharkiv because of a single phrase: “The people did not recognize the Soviet government, do not recognize it and will never recognize it”. Thanks to the intervention of Vasyl Ellan-Blakytny, Vyshnya was then released.

In 1933, risking his life, he helped Maxim Rylsky, who was under repression. Ostap Vyshnya took the poet to his home in Kharkiv after his release from prison. In those years, he lived in a house on Kultury Street, 9 (then – 5 Krasnoy Pismennykiv Street), in the famous “House of the Word”. This house, built by a cooperative of writers, became the center of creativity of the generation of the “Shooted Revival”. However, out of 66 apartments in this building, the residents of 40 were repressed.

After his arrest in 1933, Ostapa Vyshny was charged with planning terrorist attacks against government officials, including Pavel Postyshev. When asked by the investigator to confess, he replied with bitter irony: “No, citizen investigator, I don’t want that! Because today you instruct me to kill Postyshev, and tomorrow, what’s the point, you’ll blame me for the rape of Klara Zetkin.”

But even his humor did not save him. The execution sentence was replaced by 10 years in the camps, which he served in the Ukhto-Pechora system. In 1942, on behalf of Stalin, Oleksandr Dovzhenko and Mykola Bazhan compiled a list of repressed Ukrainian writers who were “dear to the people during the Great Patriotic War.” The first on this list was Ostap Vyshnya. He was released in 1943, but the repression left a deep mark on him. As he wrote: “They planted, covered up, turned a bright smile into a crooked smile”.

“House of the Word”, where Ostap Vyshnya lived, was entered into the State Register of Immovable Monuments of Ukraine in 2019. However, on March 7, 2022, during Russian rocket and artillery fire, the building was damaged, symbolically reminding of the undying struggle for freedom of speech and justice.

Charlie Chaplin Memorial Day

On December 25, 1977, the world lost a film legend — Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, known as Charlie Chaplin. He created one of the most famous characters in the history of cinema – the image of the hobo Charlie, who became a symbol of the era and an unrivaled icon of comedy. The king of laughter, a genius of directing and a person who helped the world smile even in the darkest times with his works.

Chaplin gave joy when humanity was going through difficult trials – two world wars, the Great Depression, post-war devastation, fear and despair. His works touched the hearts of millions, because in every scene he was able to combine humor and deep humanity. The American Motion Picture Institute ranked Charlie Chaplin 10th on its list of the 100 greatest male movie stars of the last century.

Chaplin left us not only his talent, but also wise words that still inspire. He said:

“The mirror is my best friend because when I cry, it never laughs.”

“The ability to think, like playing the violin or the piano, requires daily practice.”

“I hate elephants: so strong and so submissive.”

“To create a comedy, all I need is a park, a policeman and a beautiful girl.”

“A woman can make any billionaire a millionaire.”

“I was not an angel, but I always wanted to remain human.”

“My pain may be the cause of someone’s laughter, but my laughter should never be the cause of someone’s pain.”

“Nothing is eternal in this sinful world, not even our troubles.”

“The worst day in life is the day we didn’t laugh.”

“Chaplin. With this name I have made people laugh on earth for more than forty years. But I have cried more than they laughed.”

“Life is just a journey. So live today, because tomorrow may not come.”

Charlie Chaplin left behind a huge legacy that reminds us that even in the most difficult moments, you can find a reason for laughter and light. His life was an example that joy and humanity can overcome any adversity.

 

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