On February 9, the world celebrates International Marriage Day, International Dentist Day, International Pizza Day and Volleyball Birthday.
A number of important historical events that influenced the development of various countries and world processes are also celebrated on this day.
World Marriage Day
This holiday is dedicated to married couples who embody love, loyalty and support for each other throughout their lives. The idea of creating this day arose in the USA in 1981, and a few years later it acquired international status. The main purpose of the celebration is to honor marriage as the basis of family and society.
Marriage is an important social institution that exists in different cultures and has its own history in every nation. From ancient civilizations to modern times, marriages have been concluded for various reasons, from love to political or economic motives. The modern approach to marriage is more focused on feelings and an equal partnership between a man and a woman.
Interesting facts
The longest officially registered marriage lasted 86 years – it is the spouses of Herbert and Zelma Fisher from the USA.
In ancient Roman weddings, the bride wore a white dress, which became a tradition in many countries of the world.
In some cultures, it is believed that rain on the wedding day is a symbol of wealth and a happy future couple.
Statistically, married couples who laugh together and share common interests are more likely to have long-lasting relationships.
In Japan, there is a tradition of “kokuhaku”, when one of the partners must publicly confess his feelings before marriage.
International Dentist Day
This is a professional holiday of doctors who care about the health of the oral cavity and the smile of every person. The date of the holiday is connected with the history of Saint Apollonia, who is considered the patron saint of dentists. According to legend, she was tortured, knocking out all her teeth, but she remained steadfast in her faith. As a result, she began to be honored as a defender of toothache, and the day of her memory – February 9 – became a symbolic date for the dental community.
Modern dentistry covers a wide range of services – from caries prevention to complex surgical interventions. Innovations in this field make it possible to treat teeth painlessly, use 3D printing for prosthetics, and use laser technologies. Dentists not only treat teeth, but also help people maintain the health of the whole body, because oral cavity problems can lead to serious consequences for the heart, stomach and immune system.
Interesting facts
Ancient Egyptian doctors treated teeth over 5,000 years ago using a mixture of honey and eggshell powder.
The first toothbrush with natural bristles appeared in China in the 15th century.
In the Middle Ages, dentists were often barbers who cut hair and removed teeth at the same time.
The famous American cowboy, Dakota Black, pulled out teeth with his bare hands during performances, demonstrating his strength.
In space, dental procedures are performed using a special vacuum to prevent particles from dispersing in weightlessness.
International Pizza Day
This holiday is dedicated to one of the most beloved dishes in the world, which has a centuries-old history and many variations. Pizza originates from Italy, namely from Naples, where its classic version – “Margherita” – appeared in the 18th century.
Pizza quickly became popular in different countries, receiving local adaptations. In America, the famous “pepperoni” appeared, in Japan – pizza with seafood, and in Brazil, green bananas are added. Thanks to the ease of preparation and the variety of ingredients, pizza remains one of the most versatile and delicious types of food.
Interesting facts
The oldest pizzeria in the world – “Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba” – opened in Naples in 1738.
The most expensive pizza in the world costs more than 12 thousand dollars and contains rare ingredients such as black caviar, lobsters and edible gold.
In Italy, there is a law that protects the traditional Margherita pizza recipe – it must meet certain cooking standards.
More than three billion pizzas are sold in the US each year.
The longest pizza in the world reached 1.93 kilometers and was made in California in 2017.
The birthday of volleyball
This date marks the birth of the game, which has evolved significantly since its creation in 1895 by William H. Morgan in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA.
Volleyball was developed as a game that combined elements of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball, but with less physical contact. At first, it was called “Mintonet”, but later it got its modern name due to a characteristic feature – hitting the ball through the net.
Over time, the game spread all over the world and became one of the most popular sports. In 1947, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) was created, and in 1964, volleyball was officially included in the program of the Olympic Games.
Interesting facts
The first official match took place in 1896 in Springfield, USA.
In 1916, the Philippines developed a punching technique that later evolved into the modern attacking punch.
The volleyball originally consisted of three pieces of leather sewn together.
The longest volleyball match lasted more than 85 hours and took place in the Netherlands in 2017.
Beach volleyball as an official discipline appeared at the Olympic Games in 1996.
Historical events on this day
U 1667 year, the Andrusiv Armistice was concluded between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Muscovite Kingdom. According to its terms, Kyiv and Left Bank Ukraine came under the control of Russia, which determined the future fate of these territories.
U 1788 Austria officially declared war on the Ottoman Empire, which became part of the global confrontation between European states and Turkey.
U 1863 In 2010, the American Alanson Craig received a patent for the invention of a fire extinguisher, which became a breakthrough in the field of fire safety and saved many lives in the following decades.
U 1893 In 2008, the world’s first public striptease took place in the famous Parisian cabaret “Moulin Rouge”. The performance ended with the arrest of the dancer, which only increased interest in this phenomenon in art.
U 1897 In 2008, the Russian Empire began the first general population census, according to the results of which 126.4 million people were counted, including 22.6 million Ukrainians.
U 1909 In 2015, the USA passed the first law on the prohibition of narcotic substances, which was the first step towards the global fight against drug addiction.
U 1918 In 1940, the Red Army troops under the command of Muravyov captured Kyiv, which had a significant impact on the subsequent history of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. On the same day, the Brest Peace Treaty was signed, according to which the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria recognized the independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
U 1931 In 2008, the famous Russian opera singer Fyodor Shalyapin won a lawsuit against the Soviet Commercial Bureau in Paris, which illegally copied his songs. The court ordered him to pay 10,000 francs in compensation.
U 1961 In 2008, The Beatles, who later became a world music legend, performed for the first time under this name at the Liverpool Cavern Club.
U 1964 In 2008, The Beatles first appeared on American television on The Ed Sullivan Show, which was watched by almost 74 million viewers.
U 1991 In 2006, a referendum was held in Lithuania for independence from the USSR, which became an important step on the way to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
U 1998 In 2008, an attempt was made on Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze in the center of Tbilisi. The politician’s motorcade was fired at from a grenade launcher and automatic weapons, but an armored car saved his life.
Each of these events left its mark in history, determining the further development of countries and peoples.
