On February 4, the world celebrates International Day of Human Brotherhood, World Cancer Day, Vacuum Day and Neanderthal Day. Also, many interesting historical events took place on this day, which are discussed in this article.
International Day of Human Brotherhood
This is a relatively young holiday that was introduced by the UN General Assembly in December 2020. The initiative is aimed at strengthening unity between peoples, cultures and religions, as well as at supporting peaceful coexistence in the world.
The holiday has a profound meaning in today’s context, when the world is faced with numerous challenges, including rising levels of xenophobia, religious intolerance and social conflicts. The UN General Assembly called on governments, civil society and individuals to join initiatives that promote brotherhood among people.
One of the key motives behind the establishment of this day was the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Coexistence”, signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb in 2019. This declaration was an important step on the way of interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the introduction of the holiday unanimously, which emphasizes its importance for the international community. Official events leading up to this day usually include discussions, conferences and educational programs that highlight the role of dialogue between cultures and religions.
Every year, this date reminds us of the need for solidarity, especially in moments of crisis when societies face division and tension. At the core of the idea of brotherhood is the concept of mutual respect and equality between people regardless of their origin or beliefs.
World Cancer Day
This date was established by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) in 2000 to raise awareness of cancer, its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) also supports this initiative, calling on states and citizens to fight cancer more actively.
Oncological diseases remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. According to the WHO, millions of people die from cancer every year, and this number continues to rise. However, modern medicine has numerous methods for early detection and effective treatment, so it is important to spread the word about screening and a healthy lifestyle.
Every year, World Cancer Day is held under a certain slogan, which reflects current problems in the field of oncology. Organizations, medical institutions and volunteers conduct information campaigns, lectures, flash mobs and charity events aimed at helping patients and their families.
Interesting facts
The symbol of the fight against cancer is the orange ribbon, which reminds us of the importance of supporting cancer patients.
About 40% of cancers can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, physical activity and avoiding bad habits.
Early diagnosis of cancer can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment, so regular examinations are extremely important.
WHO is developing strategies to fight cancer at the global level, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiatives to prevent cervical cancer.
Vacuum creation day
This is an unofficial but exciting holiday dedicated to a physical phenomenon that is of great importance to science, technology and everyday life. The idea of this day is to popularize knowledge about the vacuum, its history of discovery and practical application.
A vacuum is a state of space in which there is no substance or its concentration is minimal. For the first time, the concept of a vacuum was discussed by ancient Greek philosophers, but real experimental research began only in the 17th century. One of the pioneers of studying the vacuum was the Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli, who in 1643 created a mercury barometer and demonstrated the existence of a vacuum.
The application of vacuum covers many areas – from industrial production to space exploration. Vacuum technologies are used in the production of microelectronics, vacuum packaging, particle accelerators and even in medicine.
Interesting facts
Vacuum plays a key role in the operation of incandescent lamps, allowing them to operate longer without overheating the filament.
Outer space is an almost perfect vacuum, although it still contains a small number of particles.
There is no air in a vacuum, so sound cannot propagate in it.
High vacuum is used in scientific research, for example, in nuclear physics and astrophysics.
Neanderthal Day
In 1857, this representative of the human race was first presented to the scientific community on this very day. The discovery of Neanderthal remains in the Neanderthal Valley in Germany was an important milestone in anthropology and helped to understand human evolution.
Neanderthals are an extinct species or subspecies of humans that lived in Europe and partly in Asia about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They had a stocky build, were well adapted to the cold climate and used complex tools. Modern genetic research has confirmed that Neanderthals interbred with the ancestors of modern humans, and some of their genes are preserved in the DNA of many people today.
Interesting facts
Neanderthals had a language, and also made jewelry and art objects, which indicates their advanced culture.
They hunted large animals such as mammoths and used fire to cook food.
The reasons for the disappearance of Neanderthals are still debated among scientists – possible factors are climate change, competition with Homo sapiens and gradual assimilation.
Archaeological findings indicate that Neanderthals cared for the sick and buried their dead, a sign of complex social structures.
Historical events on this day
211 — After the death of the Roman emperor Lucius Septimius Severus, his sons Geta and Caracalla became co-emperors of the Roman Empire. This was the beginning of dynastic conflicts between the brothers, which ended with the death of Geta on the orders of Caracalla.
960 — In China, Zhao Kuan’yin, the founder of the Song dynasty, ascended the throne. His reign ushered in a new era in Chinese history, marked by centralization of power, reforms, and significant achievements in culture and science.
1169 — A powerful earthquake in Sicily took the lives of about 15,000 people. This disaster significantly changed the appearance of the island and influenced its further development.
1703 — In the Japanese city of Edo (now Tokyo), 47 ronin samurai, who took revenge for their suzerain, committed seppuku. This act became a symbol of devotion to the Bushido code and went down in Japanese history as the legend of the forty-seven ronin.
1789 — The election of the first US president was held in Philadelphia. The victory was won by George Washington, who later became one of the greatest political figures in the history of the United States.
1793 — The Second Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took place, as a result of which Volhynia and Podillia were annexed to the Russian Empire. This event became one of the steps towards the final disappearance of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the political map of Europe.
1859 — The German scientist Konstantin Tischendorf discovered one of the oldest manuscripts of the Bible in the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai, the Codex Sinaiticus. This discovery became important for the study of the history of the text of the Holy Scriptures.
1941 — American chemist Roy Plunkett received a patent for the production of Teflon. This discovery later contributed to the development of kitchen appliances and industrial technology.
1945 — The Yalta Conference opened in Livadia (Crimea). The leaders of the USA, Great Britain and the USSR met to discuss the post-war structure of Europe, which determined the political landscape of the world for decades.
1948 — The British colony of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) gained independence from Great Britain. This event became an important stage in the decolonization of South Asia.
1949 — In the capital of Iran, Tehran, there was an attempt on Shahinshah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He survived, but the attack highlighted the country’s political instability.
1961 — Portugal’s colonial war against African national liberation movements began in Angola. This became part of the wider process of decolonization of Africa.
1966 — A Japanese Boeing 727 crashed in Tokyo Bay, killing 133 people.
1969 Yasser Arafat became the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization. His activities significantly influenced the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1970 — The city of Pripyat was founded, which became one of the most important settlements for workers of the Chornobyl NPP. In 1986, the city was evacuated due to an accident at the station.
1976 — A powerful earthquake in Guatemala caused the death of 23 thousand people and significant destruction of the country’s infrastructure.
1992 — There was an attempted coup under the leadership of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela. Despite the defeat, this event marked the beginning of his further political rise.
2004 — The social network Facebook was launched, which subsequently changed the way of communication in the world.
2005 — The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved Yulia Tymoshenko as Prime Minister of Ukraine, which became an important stage in the country’s political development after the Orange Revolution.
Uprising of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks against the Polish nobility
On February 4, 1648, the uprising of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks against the Polish nobility began, which became the beginning of the National Liberation War of the Ukrainian people. It was on this day that the Cossack council elected Bohdan Khmelnytskyi as hetman of the Zaporizhzhya Army, and his personal tragedy became a symbol of the injustice that raged throughout Ukraine.
At that time, most of the Ukrainian lands were part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, where the social and religious oppression of Ukrainians reached a critical limit. However, the direct reason for the beginning of the uprising was a robbery in the Subotiv farm – the estate of Khmelnytskyi himself. The Polish administration took away his land, killed his ten-year-old son, and kidnapped the woman with whom he lived after the death of his wife.
The hetman appealed to the king for justice and even received a document confirming his ownership. But instead of returning the estate, he received a humiliating compensation, and later an attempt was made on him. Legend has it that the Polish king replied to his complaints curtly: “You have a saber…”. This phrase became a prophecy. The insulted hetman found thousands of those who were ready to take up arms. Not only the Cossacks and peasants joined the uprising, but also the small nobility, because they had the same land documents as Khmelnytskyi, and understood: today they took away his farm – tomorrow they will come for them.
As the Roman jurist Cassianus Longinus Ravilla said, “Seek who benefits.” And in the Ukraine of that time, there were a lot of people who wanted to test justice with a saber.
Foundation of the Kharkiv Hippodrome
On February 4, 1848, the Kharkiv Hippodrome was founded, which was originally located on Horse Square. In the early years, it was not very popular, and visitors appeared only during horse fairs. Serfs and city charioteers participated in the competition, and the prizes included cash prizes and medals.
The development of the racetrack is connected with General D. Gerbelem, who moved it to Sokolniki and made it a place for elite recreation. In 1860, a horse exhibition was held here, which surpassed all previous similar events in the country. A significant contribution to the development of the racetrack was made by the horse breeder I. Ilyenko, who introduced the totalizer, increased prize money and stimulated the breeding of high-class horses.
On May 25, 1910, the first Ukrainian aviator Serhiy Utochkin flew over the racetrack, and the event gathered crowds of Kharkiv residents. On October 16, 1911, the city’s first police dog competition took place here, which became a sensation.
In 1914, architects Ginzburg and Harmanskyi designed tribunes in the Art Nouveau style, which have survived to this day. After the Civil War of 1921, the hippodrome became the only one in the country that resumed work, and Mykhailo Frunze and Commander Primakov played a significant role in this.
In 1930, the racecourse received the status of all-Union, becoming one of the four best in the country. After the Second World War, its restoration began already in 1945, and since 1946 it has been working again in the usual mode.
Until 1991, the hippodrome remained a favorite place of recreation for Kharkiv residents, major republican competitions were held, and athletes took part in international tournaments. Elite riders and horses were prepared here, and delicious barbecue was also grilled.
After the collapse of the USSR, problems arose, and in 2005 the racecourse was leased to private entrepreneurs who tried to revive the breeding of Ukrainian riding horses. However, the former glory of the racetrack remained in the past.
Approval of the sign of the company “Rolls-Royce”
On February 4, 1911, the Rolls-Royce company officially approved its legendary emblem – the statuette “Spirit of Ecstasy”. The author of this elegant sculpture was the British master Charles Sykes, and the model for the figure was Eleanor Velasco Thornton – the secretary and, it is said, the lover of Baron Montagu, a passionate car enthusiast, the author of the first driving manual and the customer of the first figure.
“Spirit of Ecstasy” has received several unofficial names: “Spirit of Rapture”, “Flying Lady”, “Silver Lady”, “Emily” and even “Ellie in a nightgown”. Sykes himself called her “The Whisperer” because the figurine depicts a woman pressing her finger to her lips, as if hinting at mystery or speed.
At first, Rolls-Royce executives were wary of the idea of decorating cars with figurines. However, they later recognized that the “Spirit of Ecstasy” was worthy of becoming a symbol of the brand. In the early years, only aristocrats and the rich could afford such decorations, but later other car brands began to use their own hood figurines as identification marks.
The process of creating the emblem was complicated: the figure was cast in a mold, which was then broken to get the blank. The surface was polished… with crushed cherry stones! The first copies were signed by Charles Sykes himself, so today they are of great value to collectors. Over the years, the “Spirit of Ecstasy” has undergone changes to meet safety requirements and modern design, but has remained a recognizable symbol of Rolls-Royce.
As for Eleanor herself and her love story with Baron Montague, it ended tragically. The couple went on a trip to India, but their liner was torpedoed by a German submarine. Of the 500 passengers, 300 died, including Eleonora. Her name went down in history along with a legendary statuette that still adorns the most prestigious cars in the world.
Honoring the heroism of Ivan Kozhedub
On February 4, 1944, the Soviet ace pilot Ivan Kozhedub was awarded the first title of Hero of the Soviet Union for 146 sorties and 20 downed enemy aircraft. Later, he became a three-time Hero, forever entering the history of aviation as one of the most effective fighters of the Second World War.
Kozhedub graduated from the Chuguyiv Military Flight School in 1941, the only year when flight school graduates were given the rank of sergeant, not lieutenant. This did not prevent him from becoming an ace: he flew 330 sorties, conducted 120 air battles and was never shot down.
On February 19, 1945, he became the first Soviet pilot to destroy a jet fighter. In the battle over the Oder, Kozhedub shot down an Me-262 piloted by Luftwaffe NCO Kurt Lange.
In addition to German planes, Kozhedub also had battles with American military planes. In one aerial encounter, he destroyed a pair of P-51 Mustangs, and in another, three B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers. Officially, these victories were not recorded in his flight book, but the battles themselves were documented.
Official archives credit Kozhedub with 62 personal victories, but according to his comrades and commanders, he refused to register joint downed planes. Researchers believe that he has at least 24 group victories, which makes him the absolute record holder among Soviet pilots.
During the Korean War, Kozhedub served in the Group of Soviet Military Specialists under the pseudonym “Krylov”, maintaining anonymity in the international conflict. His skill and legendary resilience made him one of the most revered aces in world aviation history.
The founding of Facebook
On February 4, 2004, in a Harvard University dorm room, four students – Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskowitz and Chris Hughes – launched a site that changed the world forever. At first, it was a small platform for Harvard students, but within a few months, Facebook reached other universities, and then the whole world.
At that time, no one could have imagined that this site would become a giant social network where people meet, argue, fall in love, do business and even organize revolutions. Facebook didn’t just connect billions of people – it changed the very concept of communication. And it all started with an ordinary student prank.
Shutting down three national TV channels
On February 4, 2021, for the first time in the history of Ukraine, by decision of the National Security and Defense Council, three national TV channels were turned off: 112 Ukraine, NewsOne and ZIK. It became one of the loudest information scandals in the country’s history.
A patriotic part of society welcomed the sanctions as a step in the fight against pro-Russian propaganda, while opponents of the government saw it as an attack on freedom of speech. The most vivid reaction was expressed by deputy Vadym Rabinovych, who in the Verkhovna Rada called the representatives of the authorities “devils”, accused President Zelensky of “stifling freedom of speech”, threatened with impeachment and, leaving the podium, unexpectedly sang “Stand up, great country”.
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, which has survived since Soviet times, issued a statement in which it called the imposed sanctions “a violation of freedom of speech”, “an emergency situation” and “an information explosion that shocks international institutions.” At the same time, the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine, which is part of the International Federation of Journalists, called on the authorities to clearly distinguish between propaganda resources and traditional mass media, expressing concern about the precedent set.
