On February 27, the international community celebrates the International Day of the Optimist, the World Day of Non-Governmental Organizations, the Day Without Brains and the Day of Digital Learning. Interesting and important historical events that had an impact on the development of world society also took place on this day.
International Optimist Day
This holiday is dedicated to positive thinking, the ability to find the bright side in any situation and the general desire for harmony in life. Optimism is not just a cheerful mood, but a thinking strategy that helps a person cope with difficulties and achieve their goals more easily. Research shows that people with a positive outlook on life are more likely to succeed, have better health and live longer. They recover faster from failures, interact better with society and even less often suffer from depression.
The holiday came as a reminder that optimism is of great importance to the quality of life. On this day, people share success stories, inspire each other, and conduct activities aimed at developing positive thinking and psychological resilience. Motivational quotes are actively shared on social networks, and some companies even organize special promotions to emphasize the importance of a positive attitude.
And although the world is not always kind, an optimistic view helps not only to feel better, but also to change the reality around. After all, if a person believes in his strengths, he finds more opportunities for development and self-realization.
Interesting facts
The famous American psychologist Martin Seligman in his studies proved that an optimistic style of explaining events helps to achieve better results in sports, business and even politics.
A Harvard study found that people who maintain optimism in middle age have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Optimists are more likely to engage in physical activity and lead a healthy lifestyle because they believe in their ability to influence health.
Studies have shown that on average, optimists live 7-10 years longer than pessimists.
Winston Churchill’s famous saying: “A pessimist sees difficulties in every opportunity, an optimist sees opportunities in every difficulty.” perfectly illustrates the power of positive thinking.
International Day of Non-Governmental Organizations
This day is designed to emphasize the important role of civil society in solving global problems. This holiday is an opportunity to recognize the contribution of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to social development, protection of human rights, ecology, education and many other areas.
The idea of this day belongs to Markus Wiedenstätter, who in 2010 proposed to introduce such a holiday to raise awareness of the activities of NGOs in the world. It was officially celebrated for the first time in 2014 in Helsinki with the support of the UN, UNESCO and other international organizations.
Non-governmental organizations are structures independent of the state that act in the interests of society. They deal with humanitarian aid, environmental protection, promotion of human rights and many other issues. Their activities help to fill the gaps that are left out of the attention of state institutions.
This day serves as a reminder of the need to support public initiatives, volunteering and social projects. Forums, conferences and meetings are held in different countries, where NGOs share their experience, look for partners and discuss ways to solve current problems.
Interesting facts
According to the UN, there are more than 10 million non-governmental organizations in the world that work in various fields.
One of the oldest NGOs is the International Red Cross, founded in 1863.
NGOs played a key role in the creation of the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Declaration on Human Rights.
Volunteering activities supported by NGOs are equivalent to billions of hours of work per year.
Research shows that countries with an active civil society have higher levels of democracy, social cohesion and economic development.
A day without brains
Day without brains or Day without worries and thoughts was started in order to take a break from difficult decisions and accept simplicity in your life. This day was created by American motivational speaker Aidy Sommer to remind people about the importance of relaxation and avoiding unnecessary stress. In today’s world, constant challenges and the need to make difficult decisions can be exhausting, so Brainless Day encourages us to find simple and obvious solutions instead of complicating situations.
On this day, people allow themselves not to overload their brains, perform routine tasks without deep thinking and enjoy the simple joys of life. It is especially relevant for those who are constantly faced with a high level of responsibility and making important decisions.
Interesting facts
Simplifying the decision-making process can increase productivity and reduce stress.
Famous entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg wore the same clothes every day so as not to waste mental energy on choosing a wardrobe.
Research shows that too many choices can lead to so-called “analysis paralysis,” when a person can’t make a decision.
Simple physical exercises or a walk in the fresh air help the brain to relax and reduce mental stress.
Brainless Day encourages the practice of minimalism in everyday life, which promotes psychological well-being.
Digital Learning Day
This holiday promotes awareness of modern learning tools and expands access to quality education. It was launched in 2012 by the Alliance for Excellent Education. It is designed to motivate educators, students and parents to actively introduce digital technologies into the educational process, which makes education more effective, interactive and accessible.
Digital learning encompasses the use of e-textbooks, online courses, virtual laboratories, interactive platforms and artificial intelligence in the educational process. Such methods make it possible to personalize learning, increase the motivation of students and promote the development of critical thinking.
On Digital Learning Day, schools and universities organize webinars, demonstrations of new educational technologies, panel discussions and master classes for teachers. This helps educational institutions to adapt more effectively to the digital age.
Interesting facts
Studies show that students who use interactive digital resources learn material 30-50% faster than with traditional learning.
The use of gamification in education increases the level of student engagement by 60%.
Online education allows millions of people around the world to gain knowledge regardless of where they live and financial capabilities.
The use of virtual reality in the educational process helps to improve the understanding of complex concepts, especially in the fields of medicine, engineering and natural sciences.
Well-known universities such as Harvard and MIT provide free online courses, allowing anyone to access the best educational programs in the world.
Historical events on this day
425 year – Byzantine emperor Theodosius II founds the University of Constantinople, which became one of the main educational centers of the empire.
1593 year – the Japanese army defeats the combined forces of China and Korea in the Battle of Pyokchewan, which became a significant event in the wars on the Korean Peninsula.
1594 year – Henry IV, a representative of the Bourbon dynasty, ascends the throne of France, starting a new era in the country’s history.
1870 year – the national flag of Japan was officially approved, which later became one of the most recognizable symbols of the country.
1883 year – Oscar Hammerstein receives a patent for a mechanism for automatic rolling of cigars, which becomes an important step in the development of the tobacco industry.
1900 year – the football club “Bavaria” (Munich) was founded in Germany, which later became one of the most successful in the world.
1918 year – Sich snipers begin a campaign against the Bolshevik units that invaded the territory of Ukraine.
1919 year – Symon Petliura meets with representatives of the Entente, discussing support for the Ukrainian struggle for independence.
1932 year – James Chadwick’s article on the discovery of the neutron, which revolutionizes physics, is published in the scientific journal Nature.
1933 year – the Reichstag building is on fire in Berlin. Hitler uses this incident as an excuse to consolidate his power and dissolve the parliament.
1942 year – the battle in the Java Sea between the naval forces of the United States and Japan begins, which becomes an important part of the Pacific War.
1952 year – The United Nations holds its first meeting at its new headquarters in New York.
1965 year – wide-body transport aircraft AN-22 (“Antey”), created in the design office of Oleg Antonov, makes its first flight in Kyiv.
1971 year – Janis Joplin’s album Pearl tops the music charts and holds the lead for nine weeks.
1974 year – the first issue of People magazine is published in the USA, which quickly becomes popular thanks to the coverage of the lives of celebrities.
1980 year – Gloria Gaynor’s song “I Will Survive” wins the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording.
1991 year – US President George W. Bush announces the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.
2010 year – a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake occurs in Chile, causing significant destruction and casualties.
2014 year – in Crimea, Russian special forces seize government buildings, which marks the beginning of the annexation of the peninsula.
Introduction of regional division in Ukraine
On February 27, 1932, regional division was introduced in Ukraine, and the Kharkiv region appeared on the map of the USSR.
The word “region” comes from “volost”, which has its roots in the Old Slavic “to own”. In Kyivan Rus, volost meant a large territory with a main city and its own prince, and from the 14th century it was a small rural territory subordinate to the city. In the case of the Kharkiv region, Kharkiv became such a city.
The territory of modern Kharkiv Oblast is the historical center of Slobozhan Oblast. Its history begins from ancient times. In the 7th–10th centuries, part of the future region was part of the Khazar Khaganate. In the 13th century, these lands were invaded by Mongol-Tatars. For a long time, they remained sparsely populated and received the name “Wild field”. Only at the end of the 15th century, peasants began to move here.
Mass settlement of the region began in the middle of the 17th century. In 1654, the city of Kharkiv was founded at the confluence of the Kharkiv and Lopan rivers, which later became the center of the Slobozhan region. It is believed that the founders of the city were Cossacks and peasants who settled these lands. The new settlements were called “slobodas”, and the whole region was called Slobidska Ukraine, or Slobozhanshchyna.
In 1765, the Slobid-Ukrainian province was formed, and in 1780 it was transformed into the Kharkiv viceroyalty with the center in Kharkiv. At that time, the city had 11,000 inhabitants, and local artisans developed blacksmithing, carpentry, and metalworking, as well as the production of bricks, jewelry, and alcoholic beverages. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of trade routes, Kharkiv became an important trade center. Large fairs were held here – Khreschenska, Troitska, Uspenska and Pokrovska, which lasted 15-20 days each.
In 1796, the Slobid-Ukrainian province was restored, and in 1835 it was renamed Kharkiv. In the early 1860s, the population of Kharkiv grew to 50,000. The first governor was Yevhen Oleksandrovich Shcherbinin. The province existed for 90 years.
During the Civil War of 1919, a military Kharkiv region was created for a while, which in terms of territory significantly exceeded the current borders of the region. From March to June 1919, as well as from December 1919 to 1934, Kharkiv was the capital of the USSR.
In 1925, all provinces, including Kharkiv, were abolished, and the territory was divided into districts. One of them – Kharkiv District – has retained its significance.
Kharkiv Oblast acquired its modern shape after Poltava Oblast was created from its western part on September 22, 1937, and Sumy Oblast on January 10, 1939.
