On January 10, World Metro Day, Day of Reducing Electricity Costs, Day of Peculiar People and Day of Honoring Indoor Plants are celebrated.
January 10, 49 BC. there are. Gaius Julius Caesar made the fateful decision to cross the Rubicon River. Over time, the phrase “cross the Rubicon” became a catchphrase.
On January 10-11, 1994, a document was signed that defined the NATO program “Partnership for Peace”.
World Metro Day
This day is dedicated to one of the most important transport inventions in human history. It was on this day in 1863 that the world’s first subway line, called the Metropolitan Railway, was opened in London. This event became a revolution for urban transport, because the metro allowed people to move quickly and comfortably through large metropolises, avoiding traffic jams.
The first tube line in London connected Paddington and Farringdon stations and used steam locomotives to transport passengers. Although at first the cars had no ventilation and steam accumulated in the tunnels, this vehicle quickly gained popularity. Over time, technology improved, and the metro spread in many countries around the world, becoming a symbol of progress.
Interesting facts
The London Underground, nicknamed the “Tube” because of the characteristic shape of the tunnels, today has more than 400 km of tracks, making it one of the largest networks in the world.
The deepest metro station in the world is the “Arsenalna” station in Kyiv, located at a depth of more than 105 meters.
The Tokyo Metro impresses with its punctuality: the average train delay is only a few seconds.
The Moscow metro is famous for the architecture of the stations, which are often called “underground palaces”.
In New York, the subway operates around the clock and has more than 470 stations.
Paris became the second city in the world to have a metro, opening its first line in 1900.
Some subways have interesting “ghosts” — closed stations that are no longer in use.
The shortest metro line in the world is located in Turin (Italy) and has only two stations.
In Hong Kong, the subway is so automated that there are no drivers on some lines.
The subway is not only a means of transport, but also a place for art: many stations around the world are decorated with paintings, sculptures and installations.
Day of reducing electricity costs
This day is designed to raise public awareness of the importance of rational use of energy resources. This day was initiated by international environmental organizations that seek to emphasize the importance of combating climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources. The introduction of such a day was a response to the growing challenges in the energy sector, as well as the need to stimulate the mass adoption of energy-efficient technologies.
The main goal of this day is to teach people to reduce excessive consumption of electricity, to use it rationally, and to implement habits that will save resources both at home and at work. Celebrating this day is a great opportunity for everyone to review their daily habits that affect electricity consumption and do their part to save the planet.
Interesting facts
LED lighting consumes 10 times less energy than traditional incandescent lamps and lasts several times longer.
“Vampire consumption” of energy: even in standby mode, electrical appliances consume energy that can account for up to 10% of electricity bills.
Green energy already provides more than 30% of the world’s electricity production thanks to the development of solar, wind and hydropower plants.
One tree can shade the house in such a way as to reduce air conditioner consumption in the summer by up to 20%.
If you replace all the traditional lamps in the house with energy-saving ones, this will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in an amount equivalent to planting 40 trees.
Day of peculiar people
This day is dedicated to honoring the diversity and originality of human nature. This day reminds us that each person has their own characteristics that make them unique, and that this uniqueness is the true source of society’s wealth.
The main purpose of such a holiday is to draw attention to the importance of accepting others as they are, regardless of their interests, hobbies or lifestyle. It is also an opportunity to celebrate people who go beyond traditional standards and stereotypes, offering the world their unusual ideas, talents or views.
Interesting facts
No two fingerprints are the same in the world – this is a physical confirmation of our uniqueness.
Originality often becomes the source of great discoveries: many geniuses of the past initially seemed “strange” to their surroundings.
Research shows that people who embrace their uniqueness have higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
In many cultures, original people are considered bearers of wisdom or spiritual knowledge.
Day of honoring indoor plants
This day is designed to remind about the importance of plants in our lives, especially those that live in our homes and offices. This holiday celebrates not only the decorative value of indoor plants, but also their impact on the physical and emotional health of people.
The idea of introducing such a day belongs to environmental activists and botanists who wanted to draw attention to the role of indoor plants in creating a healthier environment. Plants purify the air, increase humidity, absorb toxins and contribute to an overall improvement in mood. They also help people feel connected to nature, which is especially important in an urban environment.
This day encourages you to care for your green friends, learn about them and share your love of plants with others. It is also a good opportunity to think about the influence of plants on our well-being and to become more attentive to nature.
Interesting facts
Sansevieria (snake plant) is one of the most effective natural air purifiers: it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen even at night.
Ficus Benjamin can absorb harmful substances such as benzene and formaldehyde, which are often present in modern furniture and paints.
Aloe vera not only decorates the home, but also has healing properties, in particular, its juice soothes burns.
Indoor plants can increase productivity: Studies have shown that having plants in your workspace increases focus and creativity.
The oldest indoor plant in the world is Enceleria, which is more than 240 years old. It grows in the botanical garden in London.
Historical events on this day
49 to n. is. – Julius Caesar, contrary to the law, crossed the Rubicon River, which started a military campaign against Rome, which became the beginning of the civil war in the Roman Republic.
1569 – the Lublin Sejm began in Poland, which aimed to resolve the issue of the unification of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into a single state – the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
1653 – the visit of the Russian embassy headed by Vasyl Buturlin began in Pereyaslav. The purpose of the mission was to take the Cossacks’ oath of loyalty to the Moscow tsar.
1702 – Peter I issued decrees that forbade signing with diminutive names, kneeling before the tsar and removing hats in front of the palace in winter.
1863 – the world’s first subway line with a length of 3.6 km was opened in London. It became a revolutionary event for urban transport.
1920 – the League of Nations was founded, the first international organization that sought to ensure peace and cooperation between states.
1939 – three new regions were created in the Ukrainian SSR: Zaporizhia, Kirovohrad, and Sumy.
1942 – the Ford Motor Company began serial production of Jeep models, which became a symbol of military equipment of the Second World War.
1946 – the first meeting of the UN General Assembly was held in London with the participation of representatives of 51 states.
1975 – the first episode of the popular intellectual program “What? Where? When?” was recorded on Soviet television.
1992 – Ukraine has established diplomatic relations with Brazil, Chile and Great Britain, expanding its influence on the international arena.
1994 – the NATO program “Partnership for Peace” aimed at strengthening military cooperation between countries was adopted in Brussels.
2001 – the first version of Wikipedia appeared as part of the Nupedia project. Five days later, the encyclopedia became an independent site, changing the approach to creating knowledge in the world.
January 10, 49 BC. there are. Roman commander Gaius Julius Caesar, contrary to the prohibition of the Roman Senate, made the fateful decision to cross the Rubicon River. During this, he uttered the famous phrase: “The lot has been cast!“, which symbolized the inevitable beginning of a civil war between the senate and its supporters. This war ended with the victory of Caesar, who became the dictator of Rome. Later, the phrase “cross the Rubicon” became a catchphrase, meaning the adoption of a firm, irreversible decision that cannot be reversed.
At that time, the Roman Republic was engulfed in political strife. Many in society began to think about abandoning the republican system in favor of a dictatorship or monarchy. The proposal to create a strong centralized government found its executor in the person of Julius Caesar. He did not seek war, but because of the opposition of influential people, he decided to use force, relying on his legionaries. On the morning of January 10, the Rubicon River was crossed. On the other side, victory, Rome, absolute power, conspirators and eternal glory in history awaited Caesar.
Julius Caesar destroyed the main democratic principle of ancient Rome – the republic. He eliminated the senate’s influence on state politics, becoming a sole ruler. Despite this, Caesar enjoyed popularity among the lower and middle classes of the population. When the conspirators killed the dictator, the outraged populace forced the murderous aristocrats to flee Rome. After his death, the republic finally ceased to exist. The result was the reign of Gaius Octavius, Caesar’s great-nephew, who became the first Roman emperor under the name Octavian Augustus.
On January 10-11, 1994, during a meeting in Brussels of the member states of the North Atlantic Alliance with the invited countries, a document was signed that defined the NATO program “Partnership for Peace”. Romania, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Albania, Czech Republic, Moldova, Georgia, Slovenia, Azerbaijan, Finland, Sweden, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Armenia. Belarus, Austria, Malta, Macedonia joined in 1995, Switzerland in 1996, Ireland in 1999, Croatia in 2000, Tajikistan in 2002, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro in 2006.
From NATO’s point of view, the “Partnership for Peace” was supposed to be a means of assessing the capabilities of each partner to fulfill the obligations imposed on the members of the Alliance, as well as a kind of testing ground for testing these capabilities. There is a Framework document that sets out specific provisions for each of the partner countries, including: preserving a democratic society, observing the principles of international law, ensuring human rights, refraining from threats or the use of force against other states, respect for existing borders and dispute resolution in a peaceful way.
Partner countries cooperate with NATO on three levels. The first two involve participation in joint exercises, maneuvers, peacekeeping operations, as well as assessment of military capabilities according to NATO standards. The third level includes the provision of an individual partnership action plan.
Today, 18 countries participate in the program. Others either became members of the Alliance or their cooperation with NATO was suspended (as in the case of Russia and Belarus). In May 2021, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced that Ukraine will be the first among NATO partner countries to receive an updated package of Ukraine-NATO Partnership Goals. This package includes tasks and activities for the period up to 2025.
