December 7 is the Day of Local Self-Government in Ukraine, the International Civil Aviation Day, the World Ukrainian Handkerchief Day and the International Fat Bike Day.
Day of local self-government
The Day of Local Self-Government was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine in 2000. It is designed to emphasize the importance of local councils, their executive bodies, as well as the initiative of citizens themselves. This holiday is important for a democratic society, because local self-government is the basis for the development of communities and the formation of an active civil society. It reminds us of the power of initiative on the ground and the need for the participation of every citizen in solving local problems.
This day can also be spent reflecting on the role of local communities in the establishment of independence and development of Ukraine. Communities are places where ideas are born, changes occur and a unique cultural environment is created. It is through the community’s activity and cooperation that effective solutions are formed that can improve people’s lives.
Interesting facts
Local self-government in Ukraine has a long history. In the days of Kyivan Rus, communities were governed through vichas — people’s assemblies that decided important local issues. During the Cossack era, Cossack councils played a significant role in local self-government.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, Ukrainian cities began to receive Magdeburg law, which gave them the right to self-government. This system allowed cities to independently elect authorities, implement their own laws, and control economic activity.
Local self-government as an integral part of the state system is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 140). It is recognized as the right of the territorial community to independently resolve issues of local importance.
One of the key reforms of independent Ukraine is decentralization, which began in 2014. It transferred more powers and resources to local self-government bodies. This enabled communities to solve local problems more effectively and contributed to their development.
There are different levels of local self-government in Ukraine: village, settlement, city councils and united territorial communities (UTH). All of them have their own executive bodies that deal with the everyday affairs of the communities.
Introduced within the framework of decentralization, the OTG became a new management format that unites several rural or village communities into one administrative unit. This allowed communities to pool resources to solve common problems.
In the united communities, the institute of elders representing the interests of the residents of the villages included in the community has been introduced. This ensures communication between the management of the OTG and residents of remote settlements.
In 2020, Ukraine actively implemented the decentralization reform, which gave communities more powers and resources. It was this reform that showed how important it is to have an effective local government.
International Civil Aviation Day
This holiday was established in 1994 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in honor of its 50th anniversary, and in 1996 the UN General Assembly officially approved this day in the calendar of international dates.
The main goal of this day is to increase public awareness of the importance of civil aviation in the socio-economic development of the world. Aviation promotes the unification of cultures, the development of trade, tourism, and provides fast and safe transportation between different countries and continents.
Interesting facts
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was established in 1944 as part of the Chicago Convention for the Regulation of International Air Transport.
Every year, civil aviation transports more than 4 billion passengers around the world.
The busiest airport in the world by the number of passengers is Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta (USA).
The longest non-stop commercial flight in the world is operated by Singapore Airlines on the New York – Singapore route. The flight time is approximately 19 hours.
Ukrainian designers play an important role in civil aviation. For example, the An-225 “Mriya” aircraft, built in Kyiv, was the largest and most powerful aircraft in the world before its destruction.
World Ukrainian Handkerchief Day
This is a relatively new, but very important cultural holiday that appeared in Ukraine in 2019. Its goal is to popularize Ukrainian traditions, in particular, such a symbol of femininity and beauty as the headscarf, which has been an important part of national clothing for centuries.
The Ukrainian handkerchief symbolizes love, care, family warmth and the connection of generations. It was often passed down from mother to daughter, and its ornaments carried a sacred meaning. The scarf served not only as an ornament, but also as a talisman, because it was believed that it protects against evil forces and brings prosperity.
On this day, flash mobs, photo sessions, exhibitions and educational events are held throughout Ukraine and beyond. Women of all ages and status wear headscarves, publish their photos on social networks with the hashtags #WorldDay of Ukrainian Headscarf or #UkrainianHeadscarf. Ukrainian communities abroad actively participate in the celebration, popularizing our culture in the world.
Interesting facts
The first headscarves worn by Ukrainian women were pure white. Color patterns appeared thanks to the influence of Turkey. Today, some brands are reviving the fashion for scarves by adding them to their collections.
A headscarf was considered a mandatory element of a married woman’s clothing. In some regions, it was used during a wedding ceremony as a symbol of a girl’s transition to a new status.
Each region of Ukraine had its own unique handkerchiefs. For example, Hutsul scarves were usually brightly colored with rich floral patterns, while Poltava scarves were more delicate, with pastel shades.
The tradition of tying a headscarf has survived to this day, especially during holidays or religious ceremonies.
International fat bike day
Every year on the first Saturday of December, active lifestyle lovers celebrate International Fatbike Day, an unusual type of bicycle that, thanks to its wide tires, can overcome the most difficult routes, including snow, sand and swamp.
Fatbike (from English fat bike, literally “fat bike”) is a bicycle that features extremely wide tires (typically 3.8–5 inches). Its design allows you to ride in difficult conditions, where an ordinary bicycle simply cannot cope. Due to the low tire pressure, the fat bike provides better cushioning and traction.
Interesting facts
The first fatbikes were created by hand – ordinary bicycles were modified by adding wider tires.
Images of bicycles with wide tires first appeared before 1932 in English cycling publications. At that time, these were more experiments than practical means of transportation.
In the 80s, fat bikes began to be used in Alaska for winter races. They also gained popularity in deserts where standard bicycles could not provide passability.
In the 2000s, fat bikes began to be actively produced by well-known bicycle brands, and they quickly became popular among fans of extreme sports.
Fatbikes allow you to ride where ordinary bicycles cannot: snowy roads, beaches, mountain trails. Their wide tires create a “floating bike” effect that minimizes skidding on soft surfaces. This is a great way to keep fit even in winter.
Fatbikers joke that their bikes are the “SUV of bikes” because they are suitable for all conditions.
Some models of fat bikes have electric motors, which makes them ideal for long rides.
Historical events on this day
1678 year — the first European saw Niagara Falls
The Belgian priest and missionary Louis Ennepin became the first European to describe Niagara Falls. His discovery took place during an expedition in North America, where he explored the territories of the modern USA and Canada. Ennepen’s records became important to Europeans, because they revealed the majesty of Niagara to the rest of the world.
1732 year — the opening of the Covent Garden theater in London
The Covent Garden theater opened in London and became one of the most famous cultural institutions in Great Britain. Now it is the Royal Opera House, where the world’s best opera and ballet artists perform. Its history is rich in outstanding productions and premieres that have become an important part of world culture.
1941 year – attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese aircraft unexpectedly attacked the American naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This was a turning point in World War II, because after the attack, the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. The attack resulted in significant losses among American troops and ships, leaving a huge impact on the course of world history.
1944 year — Convention on International Civil Aviation
An important document regulating international civil aviation was adopted in Chicago. This convention became the basis for the creation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Its purpose was to ensure the safety, regularity and development of aviation in the world.
1965 year — cancellation of mutual excommunications between the Roman Catholic and Constantinople Orthodox churches
In Rome and Istanbul, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople issued a joint declaration that revoked the anathemas imposed in 1054 during the Great Schism. This was an important step in the direction of dialogue between the two largest Christian churches.
1982 year — the first execution by lethal injection
In the USA, lethal injection was used for the first time as a method of execution. This method replaced the electric chair and was considered a “more humane” method of execution. This marked a new stage in the debate on ethics and methods of punishment.
The first appearance of a referee in boxing
On December 7, 1907, a referee appeared in the ring for the first time in the history of boxing. This role was performed by Eugene Corrie, who refereed the fight between Tommy Burns and James More in London. During his career, Corrie refereed more than 2,000 boxing matches. At that time, the referee was chosen from among the most authoritative members of the boxing community, and he had to be physically strong to separate the opponents if necessary.
Later, special commands and gestures used by the referee appeared: for example, instruction in the center of the ring before the start of the fight, the command “Stop” to temporarily stop the fight or “Break” to separate the boxers. The referee also knows how to intervene at a critical moment when the fight needs to be ended for the safety of the athlete. In addition to monitoring the rules, the referee is responsible for the physical safety of the boxers. If one of them has reached the limit of exhaustion, the referee stops the fight.
To become a referee, a candidate had to speak several languages, have no criminal record, undergo special training and pass exams. One of the main criteria for success is the “invisibility” of the referee — he must act in such a way as not to interfere with the audience’s monitoring of the match.
The referee raises the hand of the winner as a sign of his triumph, but the final decision whether to end the fight or disqualify is made by the judges. Medical requirements oblige the referee to wear gloves: this is necessary to avoid infections, because injuries with bleeding often occur in boxing.
In the history of boxing, there were cases when referees accidentally got hit by boxers and even ended up being knocked down. In such situations, fights usually ended in a draw. The referee is an invisible guard of the ring, whose presence guarantees the fairness and safety of the match.
Earthquake in Armenia
On December 7, 1988, at 11:41 a.m., a devastating earthquake occurred in the northern part of Armenia, which shook the territory with a population of about one million people. The intensity of the tremors reached 10 points on the Richter scale, causing catastrophic consequences. The city of Spitak (population 20,000) and 58 villages were completely destroyed. The cities of Leninakan (now Gyumri), Stepanavan, Kirovakan (now Vanadzor) and more than 300 other settlements were partially affected.
This tragedy took the lives of more than 25,000 people. About 19,000 people remained disabled, and 530,000 people lost their homes. The city of Spitak was completely destroyed: the city cemetery became a mournful symbol of the tragedy – thousands of tombstones are marked with the same date of death with the exact time indication – 11:41.
Forces from all over the Soviet Union were mobilized to combat the consequences of the disaster. More than 45,000 construction workers from the Union republics, more than 20,000 soldiers and officers joined the liquidation of the consequences. Aid was provided by 111 countries of the world, including Israel, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Lebanon, Norway, France, Germany, Japan, China and Switzerland. The international community provided the USSR with rescue equipment, medical drugs, food and specialists.
However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the joint program of restoration work was suspended. Despite significant international support, many regions remain without adequate infrastructure even decades after the disaster.
The 1988 earthquake was not only a large-scale humanitarian disaster, but also a lesson in solidarity for the world community. He showed how important mutual aid is in the fight against natural disasters, and left a deep mark in people’s memory as a symbol of strength, endurance and international support.
