January 12 is celebrated in Ukraine as the Day of the Ukrainian political prisoner, in the world – the Day of keeping New Year’s promises and the Day of hard work.
Day of the Ukrainian political prisoner
This memorable date was established to honor the courage and indomitability of those who suffered for their beliefs, the struggle for freedom and independence of our state. This day is designed to remind of the importance of the struggle for human rights and freedom of speech, as well as the sacrifices that the struggle for democratic values demanded.
The Day of the Ukrainian Political Prisoner was started in 1975 at the initiative of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group, a human rights organization that fought for the observance of human rights under the conditions of the Soviet totalitarian regime. January 12 was not chosen by chance: it was on this day in 1972 that the Soviet authorities carried out mass arrests of Ukrainian dissidents, including Vasyl Stus, Ivan Svitlichnyi, Leonid Plyusch and many others. These people became symbols of insubordination and devotion to national ideas.
Interesting facts
January 12, 1972 went down in history as the “great pogrom” of the Ukrainian intelligentsia. At that time, the Soviet special services arrested more than a hundred activists who stood for cultural and political freedom.
The Ukrainian Helsinki Group played a key role in the struggle for human rights. It became the first open human rights community on the territory of the USSR, and its members were persecuted and imprisoned.
Vasyl Stus, one of the most famous political prisoners, wrote his brilliant poetry even in the camps. His work became a symbol of resistance and national spirit.
The Ukrainian political prisoner’s day remains relevant even today. Ukrainians celebrate this date to support those who are still suffering for their political beliefs, especially in the conditions of the occupation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine.
New Year’s resolution day
This day is a kind of reminder of the importance of staying true to your own goals and plans that were set at the beginning of the year. This day allows you to rethink your progress and be inspired to take further steps towards the realization of your promises.
New Year’s resolutions are not just a list of wishes, but commitments to yourself that can be the impetus for significant changes in life. However, many people face difficulties in maintaining motivation, and this day is a reminder that small but consistent steps lead to big achievements.
Interesting facts
According to statistics, it is during this period that many people begin to lose motivation to keep their promises. New Year’s resolution day helps to return to goals and continue moving towards them.
The most common goals are to improve health, including losing weight or starting to exercise regularly, financial stability, breaking bad habits, and developing new skills.
Psychologists note that promises that have clear and measurable goals are fulfilled 50% more often than vague intentions.
Research shows that setting realistic short-term goals helps maintain motivation for the long term.
People who share their promises with friends or family are more likely to keep them. Social support creates additional responsibility and inspires achievement.
Keeping promises improves self-esteem and increases life satisfaction. Even small achievements create a sense of success.
About 80% of people leave their New Year’s resolutions by mid-February. New Year’s Resolution Day reminds us that every day is an opportunity to get back on track.
Day of hard work
This holiday reminds us of the importance of effort and self-sacrifice in achieving goals, it motivates people to work with more energy, not to be afraid of challenges and to make maximum efforts in professional and personal affairs.
The day of hard work is designed to emphasize the importance of hard work, because it is thanks to perseverance and discipline that people achieve significant results. This date serves as a reminder that great success does not come without effort, and constant movement forward is the key to self-development.
Interesting facts
Psychologists have proven that hard work and self-discipline have a greater impact on success than natural talent. Willpower and consistency help people achieve more.
Work Hard Day was created as a motivation for people to start the year with maximum productivity. This is a kind of reminder of the need to get out of the comfort zone.
History knows many examples when it was hard work that helped to reach heights. For example, Thomas Edison created the light bulb after a thousand failed attempts, proving that hard work beats failure.
Hard work has a positive effect on self-esteem when combined with the right balance of rest. Achieving the set goals improves the emotional state and contributes to the feeling of happiness.
Many successful people emphasize that it is mistakes and challenges that have helped them become stronger. Hard Work Day reminds us of the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties.
Researchers have found that working with a clear plan and deadlines increases productivity by 25%. Hard Work Day is a great opportunity to review your goals and structure your tasks.
Although the holiday calls for intensive work, it also reminds of the need to properly organize your time to avoid burnout.
Historical events on this day
1793 – Russia and Prussia agreed on the second partition of Poland.
This event became an important stage in the process of the destruction of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as an independent state. The second partition, concluded between the Russian Empire and Prussia, took place against the background of the internal crisis in Poland. As a result of this treaty, Poland lost a significant part of its territories, which weakened it even more.
1848 – The beginning of the revolution against Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies.
This revolution became part of a wave of European revolutions directed against absolutism. In the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the people demanded constitutional reforms and greater civil liberties. The speeches laid the groundwork for future efforts to unify Italy.
1879 – War broke out between the British colonists in South Africa and the local Zulus tribes.
The Anglo-Zulu War was an armed conflict that arose out of the British Empire’s desire to strengthen its control over the region. The Zulus led by King Setshwayo put up fierce resistance to the British army. The most famous battle was the confrontation at Isandlwana, where the Zulus won one of the few victories over European troops.
1920 – Meeting of the government of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in Warsaw.
The participants of the government meeting, including the head of the Directory Simon Petliura, considered important issues regarding the activities of the Ukrainian National People’s Republic and its relations with Poland. The issue of returning government apparatuses to Ukraine was raised, and the inexpediency of Polish military expansion into Ukrainian territory was also emphasized.
1923 – The Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences celebrated the 40th anniversary of Maria Zankovetska’s stage work.
Maria Zankovetska, an outstanding Ukrainian actress, received the title of People’s Artist of the USSR. She was awarded a lifetime pension, and one of the theaters was named in her honor. It was one of the first examples of honoring artists in Soviet Ukraine.
1938 – Discovery of the oldest battery.
German archaeologist Wilhelm Koenig, during excavations near Baghdad, found an artifact that was later called the “Baghdad Battery.” Created around 250 BC, this object consisted of a clay pot, a copper tube, and an iron rod. Scientists suggest that it could have been used for electrolysis or as a ritual object.
1942 – The Reichskommissar of Ukraine allowed the opening of primary schools.
At the height of World War II, the occupation authorities issued a directive to open primary schools for Ukrainian children under the age of 11. At the same time, there were numerous restrictions, such as the ban on Soviet textbooks, the requirement of trustworthy teachers, and the use of the Ukrainian language.
1955 – Opening of the railway bridge across the Dnipro in Dnipropetrovsk.
The 1.5 km long bridge became an important transport facility that facilitated communication between the banks of the Dnieper. Its construction was part of a large-scale infrastructure program of the Soviet Union.
1965 – Proclamation of Ukrainian Independence Day in Toronto.
The mayor of Toronto signed a proclamation designating January 22 as Ukrainian Independence Day. This decision was a manifestation of solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the struggle for freedom and a reminder of the proclamation of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1918.
2010 – Catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.
Two powerful earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 and 5.9 destroyed the country’s infrastructure. About 3 million people were injured, at least 250 thousand people died. Damages were estimated at 9 billion dollars. The tragedy became one of the largest natural disasters of the 21st century.
