On February 21, the world community celebrates International Mother Language Day, World Tour Guide Day and World Kombuchi Day.
Also, on this day, important historical events took place that influenced the development of various countries and world processes.
International Mother Language Day
This day was started by UNESCO in 1999. This holiday is designed to draw attention to the linguistic diversity of the world and the need to protect endangered languages. The date was chosen to commemorate the events of 1952 in Bangladesh, when students defended the right to use their mother tongue and died during protests.
Today there are about 7,000 languages in the world, and almost half of them are in danger of disappearing. Mother tongue plays a key role in the formation of personality, culture and national identity. Therefore, it is important to maintain linguistic diversity, to promote the learning and use of the native language, especially among the younger generation.
Interesting facts
The most widely spoken languages in the world are Chinese, Spanish and English, but Papua New Guinea has the most linguistic diversity, with over 800 languages spoken.
As for endangered languages, every two weeks one language disappears on the planet, and with it – the unique culture and traditions of the people.
The Ukrainian language belongs to the group of Slavic languages and is one of the most melodious languages in the world.
UNESCO calls on the governments of various countries to implement policies that contribute to the protection and development of the linguistic heritage of mankind.
One of the key aspects of the celebration is the popularization of education in the native language, because it affects the quality of education and the overall development of the child.
World Tour Guide Day
This professional holiday was launched in 1990 at the initiative of the World Federation of Tour Guide Associations (WFTGA). Its purpose is to draw attention to the important role of tour guides in popularizing the cultural heritage, history and traditions of various peoples.
Guides play a key role in the preservation of cultural heritage and the transmission of historical knowledge. They not only introduce tourists to the sights, but also help to better understand the culture, traditions and peculiarities of a certain area. A quality excursion can become an unforgettable journey into the history and cultural context of a country or city.
Interesting facts
The profession of a tour guide has ancient roots – even in ancient times, people who knew history and architecture well, accompanied travelers and explained the meaning of various sights.
In many countries, tour guides undergo certification to guarantee the quality of their services and compliance with high professional standards.
Some tour guides specialize in narrow topics, such as gastronomic tours, ecological routes or mystical tours.
In the digital age, tour guides are increasingly using technology – virtual tours, audio guides and mobile applications to improve interaction with tourists.
The celebration of this day contributes to the popularization of tourism, increasing the level of knowledge about different cultures and supporting local communities that depend on the tourism sector.
World Kombucha Day
This holiday was created to popularize the traditional fermented drink, which is known for its useful properties and centuries-old history. Kombucha, or kombucha, comes from China, where it was used more than 2,000 years ago as an “elixir of immortality.”
This drink is made by fermenting sweet tea with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). In the process of fermentation, useful organic acids, probiotics and antioxidants are formed, which have a positive effect on digestion, immunity and general health.
Interesting facts
The origin of the name “kombucha” is not known for sure, but there are versions that it is connected with the Japanese doctor Kombu, who, according to legend, brought this drink to Japan.
A small amount of alcohol is formed in kombucha during fermentation, which is why it is classified as a low-alcohol drink in some countries.
Global demand for kombucha is growing and it is now one of the most popular health drink categories.
Some enthusiasts create their own kombucha recipes, adding different fruits, herbs and spices to create unique flavors.
In addition to a traditional drink, kombucha is used in cosmetics and natural medicine due to its antioxidant properties.
Historical events on this day
1431 year in the city of Rouen, which at that time was controlled by the British, the trial of Joan of Arc began. She was accused of heresy, witchcraft and wearing men’s clothing, which was considered a violation of church laws. The trial lasted several months and ended in a death sentence, which led to her burning at the stake in May of the same year.
1613 year in Moscow, the Zemsky Sobor, convened after the period of Troubles, elected Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov to the throne. This decision ended the political chaos and marked the beginning of the reign of the Romanov dynasty, which ruled the Muscovite Empire, and later the Russian Empire, for more than 300 years.
1784 Empress Catherine II issued a decree obliging her favorite and Governor-General of Novorossiya Grigory Potemkin to establish a new strategic city in the Crimea. The small settlement of Akhtiar was chosen as the site for the construction of a new fortress and port, and the area itself received a new name – Sevastopol. This city became a key naval center of the Black Sea Fleet.
1784 is also marked by the founding of the city of Mykolaiv, which was to become one of the main shipbuilding centers of the Russian Empire. The city got its name in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.
1808 The Russian Empire began hostilities against Sweden without an official declaration of war. This was the beginning of the Finnish War, which lasted until 1809 and ended with the annexation of Finland by the Russian Empire.
1835 year astronomers discovered three new galaxies: NGC 2397, NGC 2397A and NGC 2397B. They are located in the constellation of the Flying Fish and belong to spiral or irregular galaxies.
in 1842 American inventor John Greenough received a patent for a sewing machine, but historians recognize that its first developer was engineer Walter Gantt. However, Greenau managed to patent the invention, which became an important step in the development of the textile industry.
1863 several galaxies were discovered at once, including NGC 2753-1, NGC 2753-2, NGC 2862, NGC 2927, NGC 2929, NGC 2930, NGC 3575 and NGC 3760. This further expanded mankind’s knowledge of the structure of the universe.
1874 Astronomers have discovered a new galaxy called NGC 3975.
1906 in the Russian Empire, the trial of Ukrainian lieutenant Pyotr Schmidt, who led the sailors’ uprising in Sevastopol in 1905, took place. The court sentenced him to death, and he was shot in March of the same year.
1914 year In Montreal, the Ukrainian publishing house “New World” began its work. This publishing house played an important role in preserving and spreading Ukrainian culture and literature in Canada.
1916 year the Battle of Verdun began – one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. The German army attacked the French positions near Verdun, trying to break through the defenses. The fighting lasted for almost 10 months and ended with huge losses on both sides, without bringing any strategic advantage to either side.
1921 year in Persia (now Iran) there was a military coup organized by the Persian Cossack Division. This coup led to the rise to power of Reza Khan, who later founded the Pahlavi dynasty and transformed Persia into the Imperial State of Iran.
1925 year The world saw the first issue of the magazine “The New Yorker”, which became a cult American publication, known for its satire, literary works and journalistic investigations.
1935 year the creation of the French cosmetic company “Lancom” was officially announced. The brand has become one of the world’s most famous producers of perfumes and skin care products.
1941 the Spanish government recognized the presence of German troops on its territory, although officially they were there to eliminate the consequences of the hurricane.
1947 the American company introduced the Polaroid camera, which allowed instant photos to be taken, which became a revolution in the field of photography.
1948 The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR passed a decree allowing the eviction outside Ukraine of peasants who did not fulfill the established norm of working days in collective farms.
1992 The UN Security Council decided to send peacekeeping forces to Yugoslavia to contain the armed conflict that broke out after the country’s breakup.
1993 Ukrainian track and field athlete Serhii Bubka set a new indoor pole vault world record, conquering a height of 6 meters 15 centimeters during the competition in Donetsk.
1994 the urban-type village of Yasne in Khmelnytskyi region was renamed to Narkevych.
2008 The United States of America used space weapons, shooting down its own malfunctioning spy satellite. The last time they used this technology was back in 1985.
of 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity on Independence Square in Kyiv, activist Volodymyr Parasyuk spoke to the crowd and issued an ultimatum to then-president Viktor Yanukovych. He stated that if Yanukovych did not resign by 10:00 a.m. the next day, the protesters would go on an armed assault on his residence. This speech became one of the turning points in the Maidan events.
