On January 11, the world celebrates International Day of Equality at Work, International Thank You Day, World Sketchout Day and Secret Friend Day.
On January 11, 1559, the first state lottery was held in England.
On January 11, 1645, the English Parliament signed an act on the creation of the New Model Army.
International Day of Equality at Work
This holiday reminds us of the importance of fair working conditions. Its purpose is to promote the eradication of discrimination and the creation of an inclusive environment where every employee has equal rights and opportunities.
Discrimination at work remains a serious problem in many countries around the world. Women often face a “glass ceiling” that limits their career prospects. People with disabilities and members of ethnic minorities face difficulties in hiring, and older workers often experience prejudice. This holiday calls for the combined efforts of governments, business and civil society to ensure equality and respect in the workplace.
Interesting facts
Research shows that companies that actively implement equality policies earn higher profits. For example, in such organizations, the level of employee productivity increases to 35%.
The countries of Scandinavia, in particular Sweden and Norway, are leaders in the implementation of gender equality. In Sweden, women occupy about 45% of management positions, which is one of the highest figures in the world.
According to the UN, women perform 76% of unpaid domestic work in the world. This significantly limits their access to paid work and career development.
Diversity in teams helps generate better ideas. Companies with equal teams are 1.8 times more likely to become innovative leaders in their field.
Some countries have quotas for the minimum share of women in company management. For example, in Germany, companies with a large turnover are obliged to ensure at least 30% of female quotas on the boards of directors.
According to global data, women are paid 23% less than men for the same work. This remains one of the main challenges to achieving employment equality.
International Thank You Day
This holiday is dedicated to expressing gratitude, it is designed to remind people of the power of the simple word “thank you”, which can not only make the day more pleasant, but also contribute to the improvement of relationships, the atmosphere in society and even one’s own emotional state.
The holiday arose as an initiative of organizations dealing with issues of interaction and humanity in society. The main purpose of International Thank You Day is to remind people of the importance of expressing gratitude in everyday life, even for the smallest good deeds. In the fast pace of today’s world, people often forget to say “thank you” or underestimate its meaning, even though this word has enormous power.
Interesting facts
The Ukrainian word “thank you” comes from the Old Russian “dakovati”, which means “to express gratitude”. This is a unique form of politeness inherent in Slavic languages.
Scientific studies confirm that expressing gratitude increases the level of dopamine and serotonin – hormones of happiness. This helps to improve the mood of both the one giving thanks and the one being thanked.
Different cultures have unique ways of expressing gratitude. For example, in Japan, together with the word “arigato”, a bow is often used to emphasize respect. And among Italians, the word “gracie” is accompanied by a warm smile.
Companies that practice a culture of gratitude among employees record 50% higher productivity and employee satisfaction.
The English “thank you” is among the top 10 words most often used in intercultural communication. It has become a kind of international symbol of gratitude.
People who practice gratitude daily show higher levels of resilience to stress and higher levels of life satisfaction.
World Sketchout Day
It is a celebration of creativity that popularizes the unique technique of visual notation. Sketchnoting combines text, drawings, symbols and structures to organize thoughts, remember information and generate ideas. This day has become important for creative people, designers, educators and everyone who wants to improve their imaginative thinking skills.
Sketchnoting originated as a technique that helps to better perceive information through visual representation. Thanks to the combination of simple illustrations and short text entries, a person can remember up to 29% more information than when using only text. This makes sketchnoting an indispensable tool in training, meetings, brainstorming and even everyday life.
Interesting facts
Sketchnoting does not require professional artistic skills. Simple shapes, arrows, and keywords are enough to create an effective visual summary.
The term “sketchnoting” was coined by Mike Rode, a designer and author of The Sketchnote Handbook. His idea gained worldwide popularity as a new approach to notation.
Using sketchnoting activates both hemispheres of the brain: the left is responsible for logic and text, and the right is responsible for creativity and drawings. This improves understanding and assimilation of information.
Sketchnoting is actively used during corporate trainings and strategic sessions, as it helps to structure information and find new ideas.
Students who use sketchnoting learn faster and remember material better because of its visual representation. In educational institutions, this technique is becoming more and more popular.
Secret Friend Day
This is a holiday dedicated to people who know how to listen, keep secrets and be a support for their friends. This day is a reminder of the value of trust and the importance of having someone by your side with whom you can share your innermost feelings.
A secret friend is a person who is always ready to listen, support and keep your secrets only between you. Often the role of such a friend remains unnoticed, but their support becomes an integral part of our lives. Secret Friend Day calls for expressing gratitude to these people who bring light to our everyday lives with their kindness, sincerity and reliability.
Interesting facts
Secret Friend Day was born as a way to celebrate the role of close friends who help in the most difficult times without expecting anything in return.
Research shows that people who have trusted friends have lower levels of stress and stronger psychological health.
The ability to listen is a key trait of a secret friend. Psychologists note that effective listening strengthens relationships and reduces the level of emotional tension.
According to statistics, about 80% of people believe that trust is the basis of any friendship. Secret Friend Day is a reminder of the importance of appreciating people you can trust.
On this day, many people decide to surprise their “secret friend”: write a letter of thanks, give a small gift or just spend time together.
The idea of trusting relationships often becomes a source of inspiration for artists. In many books and movies, friendship and trust between characters are shown as the most valuable treasure.
Although secrets are sometimes perceived as something negative, sharing secrets in confidence strengthens interpersonal bonds. It creates a sense of closeness between people.
Historical events on this day
630 – Muslims under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad conquered Mecca, ending the struggle against the Quraysh. This became an important stage in the spread of Islam, because after that the city became the spiritual center of the new religion.
1569 – The first documented lottery took place in England. It was held in the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and the funds received were directed to public projects, in particular, the repair of ports.
1693 – Sicily suffered from a devastating earthquake and tsunami, which destroyed 70 cities and resulted in the death of about 60 thousand people. This disaster became one of the largest in Europe in the 17th century.
1759 – The first insurance company in the USA started working in Philadelphia. Its creation was an important step in the development of the economic institutions of the young country.
1775 – In South Carolina, the Jew Francis Salvador became the first representative of the Jewish community elected to public office in the USA. This was a significant achievement for religious minorities at the time.
1785 – New York officially became the capital of the United States of America, remaining in that role until 1790, when the capital was moved to Philadelphia.
1787 – Astronomer William Herschel discovered two moons of Uranus – Titania and Oberon. This discovery was an important achievement in the study of the solar system.
1803 – American diplomats Monroe and Livingston went to France with the task of buying New Orleans. Their mission ended in success: the United States acquired the entire state of Louisiana, which became the largest territorial acquisition in the history of the country.
1863 – The three-day battle for Fort Hindman in Arkansas during the American Civil War ended. Allied troops won, strengthening their positions in the west.
1864 – Charing Cross station opened in London, which became an important transport hub of the British capital.
1909 – The first women’s car races started in New York. This became a manifestation of women’s struggle for equality in sports.
1919 – In the USSR, food distribution was introduced – the obligatory return of surplus bread by peasants. This policy caused famine and social conflicts in the countryside.
1922 – In Toronto, for the first time in the world, insulin was used to treat diabetes. It was successfully administered to 14-year-old Leonard Thompson, saving his life.
1923 – French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region due to non-payment of reparations by Germany. This became one of the key moments of the economic crisis in the Weimar Republic.
1935 – Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Pacific Ocean on her own. Her flight from Hawaii to California became a symbol of female courage and aviation progress.
1946 – In Albania, the monarchy was abolished and a People’s Socialist Republic was proclaimed. The state was headed by the Stalinist Enver Hoxha, who ruled the country until his death in 1985.
1971 – American journalist Don Hefler first used the term “Silicon Valley” in his articles. The name was attached to the district, which became the center of technological innovation.
1972 – East Pakistan was renamed Bangladesh after gaining independence from Pakistan. It was the result of a long war for independence.
1981 – The British expedition led by Renalf Finnes completed the longest and fastest crossing of Antarctica. In 75 days, the team covered more than 2,500 miles in extremely difficult conditions.
1994 – The Irish government lifted the ban on television and radio broadcasts by representatives of the IRA and the Sinn Fein party, which was an important step towards reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The first state lottery in England
On January 11, 1559 in England, in the first year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the first state lottery was held. It was not just an entertaining competition, but a strategic decision that helped the young queen cope with the economic difficulties that faced the country. The lottery became a way to replenish the state treasury at a time when England was under economic blockade.
Queen Elizabeth I, known for her determination, proposed an innovative solution: to hold a large-scale lottery. The initiative was a great success – 40,000 tickets were sold, and the winners were treated to lavish prizes, including tapestries, gold and cash prizes. The received funds were directed to the reconstruction of ports and other important public needs. It was one of the first lotteries, the funds from which were honestly used for the development of the country.
Lotteries have a long history dating back to ancient Greece. In one of the legends, it is told how the warriors pulled stones from the golden helmet to determine who would have the honor of entering a duel with Zeus. The Bible also mentions lots: God told Moses to divide the land among the “sons of Israel” by drawing lots.
In ancient China around 100 BC, General Chen Lun introduced a game called the Game of a Thousand Characters. Thanks to this game, rich residents of the country bought cards with hieroglyphs, and the winnings were drawn every day. The funds received replenished the treasury, the Great Wall of China was built on them, and a strong army was created.
In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar used the income from lotteries to repair roads and bridges, which contributed to the development of infrastructure.
In Europe, the one held by the widow of the Flemish artist Jan van Eyck in Bruges on February 24, 1466 is considered the first official lottery. The funds were directed to help the needy, and the success of this initiative inspired the city authorities to hold lotteries regularly. This money was used to build canals, almshouses and ports.
The idea of a state lottery, initiated by Elizabeth I, turned into a tradition that existed in England until 1825. For two centuries, lottery funds have been used to finance key architectural projects such as the British Museum, the London Aqueduct and numerous bridges.
Today, lotteries remain a popular tool for financing social initiatives. In many countries, income from lotteries is used to support educational programs, charitable projects and cultural development. And although modern lotteries are significantly different from those that existed in the 16th century, their purpose remains unchanged – to help society and support its development.
The English army of a new model: Cromwell’s revolutionary reform
On January 11, 1645, the English Parliament signed an act on the creation of the New Model Army. This reform, led by Oliver Cromwell, was a turning point in the history of British military art. The army, which was based on the principles of discipline, professionalism and God-fearing, fundamentally changed the approach to warfare. Its basic principles remained an important standard of military organization for many centuries.
Cromwell created a single professional army with centralized management and a clear hierarchy. One of the key principles was appointment to positions not by origin or connections, but solely by merit and ability. From the previous system, only the local militias, divided by counties, which were governed by lord lieutenants, were retained. Counties independently maintained militias, formed lists of conscripts and appointed private commanders.
The new army charter provided for strict rules based on discipline and godliness. Any violation was punished extremely severely. Soldiers who left their positions, ran away from the battlefield, stole or robbed, or sentries who fell asleep or were drunk while on duty, faced the death penalty. Such strictness ensured a high level of responsibility and order in the army.
One of Cromwell’s key reforms was the unification of uniforms. Until 1644, the troops used different equipment and their appearance was chaotic. After the reforms, all soldiers received a single uniform – red jackets, which became a symbol of the British army. The red color was not chosen to hide the blood, but because of its historical and practical significance. It was the color of St. George, the symbol of England. In addition, the red dye made from madder and cochineal was readily available and cheap. The red color also stood out well on the battlefield, which made it easier to control the troops.
At the Battle of Nesby, the Royalists faced the new army for the first time, acting as a united fist. It was commanded by an experienced veteran of colonial wars, Sir Thomas Fairfax, who reported directly to Parliament. Only professionals, far from political intrigues, were left in the army, which ensured its effectiveness.
In addition, Cromwell introduced a regular monetary maintenance of soldiers. Soldiers were trained, clothed, fed and confident in the future, which became the foundation of a strong army.
Red uniforms remained a symbol of the British army until the 19th century. However, with the increasing effectiveness of weapons and the advent of smokeless gunpowder after 1880, the military switched to a more practical khaki uniform. However, even today some British regiments, such as the Royal Guards, use red uniforms during parades, keeping it as a symbol of tradition and glorious history.
