January 16 is Cyborg Memorial Day in Ukraine, World Beatles Day, International Hot and Spicy Food Day, and Ice Maker Day.
On January 16, 1992, an order was signed on the creation of the “Berkut” militia special forces unit.
On January 16, 2007, Yevhen Kushnaryov, one of the brightest politicians of modern Ukraine, was fatally wounded.
In 2014, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the so-called “dictatorship laws of January 16”.
Cyborg Memorial Day
This is a holiday of heroes who have become a symbol of courage, stability and indomitability of the Ukrainian spirit. It is dedicated to the memory of the defenders of the Donetsk airport, who defended it for 242 days during the active phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014-2015. The defenders of the airport were called “cyborgs” for their extraordinary endurance, fighting spirit and ability to resist the enemy even in the most difficult conditions.
The battles for the Donetsk airport became one of the fiercest and most dramatic pages in the modern history of Ukraine. The defenders maintained their defense in conditions of constant shelling, lack of resources and extremely difficult weather conditions. Even after the airport was almost completely destroyed, they continued to fight. The fallen heroes left behind an example of boundless devotion to their country and its freedom.
Interesting facts
The name “cyborgs” arose from the enemies, who with surprise and respect began to call the Ukrainian defenders that way because of their indomitability, adding that they are “not people, but cyborgs.”
The defense of Donetsk airport lasted 242 days — from May 26, 2014 to January 22, 2015.
In addition to the military, volunteers, medics and volunteers joined the defense of the airport.
The battles for the Donetsk airport became a landmark event that drew the attention of the world community to Russian aggression.
Every year on Cyborg Memorial Day, memorial events, exhibitions, film screenings and reunions are held to honor those who have protected the country.
World Beatles Day
This day reminds of the influence of the legendary group The Beatles on the musical culture and history of mankind. The group, which consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, is considered one of the most influential groups in the history of music. Their creative legacy includes dozens of iconic songs that still remain relevant and inspire new generations.
The Beatles originated in Liverpool in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity around the world. Their style combined rock and roll, pop music, psychedelic and experimental genres, creating a unique sound that won the hearts of millions. The band not only set new standards in music, but also actively influenced the fashion, art and social movements of their era.
On January 16, 1957, the legendary Cavern Club opened in Liverpool, where The Beatles took their first steps to fame. It was here that the band performed hundreds of times, forming its identity and gaining popularity among the local audience.
Interesting facts
The band set a record for the most albums to top the UK charts with 15.
The album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is considered one of the best in music history and won 4 Grammy Awards.
The Beatles were the first to televise their concert to the whole world, which was a revolutionary step in the music industry.
Their song “Yesterday” is the most covered song in history, having been covered by over 2,000 different artists.
The band disbanded in 1970, but their influence has not faded: they remain a symbol of the 60s era and a source of inspiration for musicians and listeners around the world.
International Day of Spicy and Hot Food
Every year on January 16, the International Day of Spicy and Hot Food is traditionally celebrated, a holiday dedicated to dishes that are filled with bright flavors and an impressive sense of spiciness. This holiday allows connoisseurs of savory cuisine to celebrate a variety of dishes from different parts of the world, distinguished by their spicy and burning ingredients.
Spicy food has not only a special taste, but also many useful properties. Chili pepper, the main “culprit” of spiciness, contains capsaicin, a substance that stimulates metabolism, helps burn calories and even increases endorphin levels, providing a good mood. In many cultures of the world, spicy food is not just a culinary choice, but becomes an important part of traditions, symbolizing energy, strength and vibrancy of life.
January 16 is a great opportunity for gourmets to try new recipes with the addition of hot spices, enjoy exotic dishes or simply remember your favorite spicy dishes that energize you.
Interesting facts
The hottest pepper in the world is the Carolina Reaper, which exceeds 2 million units on the Scoville scale.
Capsaicin, contained in chili peppers, is used not only in cooking, but also in medicine, in particular in creams for pain relief.
In some countries, spicy dishes are traditional remedies for treating colds and improving blood circulation.
Thai cuisine is one of the spiciest in the world, and its dishes often include chili, garlic, ginger and lemongrass.
Spicy food lovers have a special “threshold of spiciness”: the more they consume hot foods, the better their body adapts to spices.
Ice maker’s day
It is a celebration of the people who create the perfect ice surface for sports and entertainment needs. It is a professional and at the same time unofficial holiday that honors the skill and efforts of ice pourers, whether in large sports arenas or on small rinks in yards and parks.
Ice makers are the professionals responsible for creating the flat, smooth and strong ice surface needed for ice skating, hockey or figure skating. Their work requires not only technical knowledge and skills, but also attentiveness, patience and love for their work. They use special machinery, including ice machines (Zambonis), and adhere to strict requirements regarding temperature, humidity and ice thickness.
However, Ice Maker’s Day is not only a holiday for professionals, it is also for enthusiasts who pour ice rinks every year in yards, parks or just on frozen ponds. Thanks to their work, children and adults can enjoy winter fun on the ice.
Interesting facts
The largest artificial ice rink in the world is located in Ottawa (Canada) and covers an area of more than 16,000 square meters.
Ice temperatures for ice hockey and figure skating are different: for ice hockey, the ice is made harder (about -5°C) and for figure skating – a little softer (about -3°C).
Professional ice pouring involves the application of several layers of water, which ensures the strength and transparency of the coating.
The Zamboni ice machine was invented in 1949 and became a revolutionary device for creating the perfect ice surface.
In many countries, building an ice rink is considered a tradition that brings neighbors together, especially during the winter holidays.
Historical events on this day
929 – Abd Ar-Rahman III, inheriting the title of Emir of Cordoba, proclaimed the caliphate, which became an important stage in the history of Islamic Spain.
1780 – The English fleet under the command of Admiral George Rodney won a decisive victory over the Spanish forces near Cape San Vincent, which allowed the British to retain control of the strategically important Gibraltar.
1918 – The Central Rada adopted the law on the creation of the Ukrainian volunteer army, which became an important step in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence in the conditions of the First World War.
1919 – The second phase of the Ukrainian-Soviet war has begun. The UNR Directory declared war on Bolshevik Russia. On the same day, the Bolshevik government of Ukraine decided to nationalize the sugar industry.
1920 – The “dry law” entered into force in the USA, which changed the socio-economic landscape of the country for many years, causing the intensification of organized crime.
1924 – Spanish pilot Pablo Pescara set a record by staying in the air on a helicopter of his own design for 8 minutes and 13 seconds and covering a distance of more than a kilometer.
1954 – The city of Proskuriv was renamed to Khmelnytskyi, and the Kamianets-Podilskyi region was named Khmelnytskyi.
1963 – For the first time, a woman became the pilot of an airliner on an international route. Englishman Yvonne Pope was in charge of the flight from London to Dusseldorf.
1964 – In California, the Whiskey a Go Go club opened on Sunset Boulevard, which became an important point for the development of rock music, in particular for the bands The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Guns N’ Roses and others.
1969 – Czech student Jan Palach committed self-immolation in Wenceslas Square in Prague, protesting against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
1980 – Paul McCartney was arrested in Tokyo after half a pound of marijuana was found in his luggage. He was imprisoned for 10 days.
1984 – Michael Jackson received 8 Grammy statuettes for his legendary album Thriller, which became one of the best-selling records in history.
1991 – The war in the Persian Gulf began. A coalition of 28 countries led by the United States entered into armed conflict against Iraq in response to Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait.
1992 – Burkina Faso officially recognized the independence of Ukraine.
1997 – Microsoft released the Office 97 program, which immediately gained enormous popularity and occupied 80% of the office software market.
2002 – The UN Security Council voted to impose sanctions against Al-Qaeda organizations and the Taliban movement.
2003 – The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the new Civil Code, which became an important event in the legal development of the state.
2006 – Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in as President of Liberia, becoming the first female head of state on the African continent.
2014 – The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the so-called “dictatorship laws of January 16”, which restricted civil rights and freedoms, causing a wave of protests in the country.
Creation of the special forces unit “Berkut”
On January 16, 1992, an order was signed on the creation of the “Berkut” militia special forces unit. It was a special purpose police unit that operated under the territorial administrations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine from 1992 to 2014. The initiator of its creation was the then Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, General of the Internal Service Andriy Vasylyshyn.
The name of the unit “Berkut” had a symbolic character, reflecting its mission. The golden eagle is the only bird capable of defeating the wolf, which metaphorically represented the criminal. This idea was laid in the basis of the activity of the unit as an image of an uncompromising fight against crime.
The motto of the unit was: “People’s safety is the highest law”. Unofficially, “Berkut” used another, no less symbolic slogan: “No one flies higher than the golden eagle”.
After the tragic events of 2013-2014 and the disbandment of Berkut, the unit ceased to exist in its original form. However, some of the former employees, devoted to their profession, came to the defense of Ukraine. In the conditions of the war with Russia, many former “golden eagles” fulfill their duty, continuing the struggle already on the front lines, as soldiers of the Ukrainian defense forces.
Yevhen Kushnaryov’s fatal wounding
January 16, 2007 became a tragic date for Ukraine. Yevhen Petrovych Kushnaryov, one of the brightest politicians of modern Ukraine, was mortally wounded during a hunt near the village of Krasniy Shakhtar in the Izyum district of the Kharkiv region. He officially died on January 17 in the city hospital of Izyum, just twelve days short of his 56th birthday.
His death was a real shock and raised many questions, because Kushnaryov was an iconic figure of Ukrainian politics. He had a great influence, distinguished himself by principle, a deep understanding of social processes and his own vision of the future of Ukraine. Many believe that his life could change the course of Ukrainian history, and the fatal shot while hunting symbolized not only the loss of a politician, but also a turning point for the country.
Kushnarev was a person who was not afraid to take responsibility for his decisions. His words, full of life philosophy, remain relevant even today:
“I don’t betray friends and I’m not afraid of responsibility… With the phrase “I love life” I wanted to convey my worldview, which consists in the fact that I don’t like to adapt to life or circumstances. You can’t adapt to anything. It is very easy to find a compromise with your own conscience and even with those around you, if you put peace and a problem-free life first. But I don’t want to live like that and I won’t. I make a lot of effort to remain myself, not to be disappointed in life, not to lose faith in myself and in people, to keep my strength. Maybe there are less pink colors in my world, but I still remain myself…”.
These words reflect his integral nature, indomitability in the face of circumstances and the desire to remain true to his own principles.
Kushnaryov’s death left behind many questions and an unfilled void in the political life of Ukraine. Many contemporaries still believe that his life could significantly influence the further development of the country. The shot that ended his fate became a symbol of changes that could have been different if Yevgeny Kushnaryov had remained alive.
Adoption of “dictatorial laws”
January 16, 2014 became one of the most controversial and tense days in the history of modern Ukraine. On this day, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a package of laws, which later became known as the “Laws of January 16” or “Laws on Dictatorship.” These legislative acts were aimed at restricting the rights and freedoms of citizens, and their adoption was the government’s response to the mass Euromaidan and Automaidan protests that continued in the country.
The process of passing the laws raised huge doubts about its legitimacy. Voting took place without a speaker, without using the Rada electronic system, and votes were counted by a show of hands. Such actions violated both internal regulations and democratic principles. The very next day, President Viktor Yanukovych signed this package of laws, giving them legal force.
Among the provisions of the “Laws of January 16” were severe restrictions on freedom of protest and civil rights. The laws prohibited the wearing of helmets or other protective equipment at rallies, imposed severe penalties for defamation, simplified the blocking of Internet resources, and allowed significant restrictions on the activities of public organizations. These norms were actually aimed at suppressing protests and creating an atmosphere of fear among citizens.
The adoption of these laws caused a wave of indignation among the population and became a turning point in the protest movement. Mass actions, which used to mainly take place in Kyiv, spread to the entire territory of Ukraine. Protesters and law enforcement officers engaged in a violent confrontation, which resulted in numerous victims and deaths.
Two weeks later, under the pressure of protests and the international community, the Verkhovna Rada canceled part of the laws, recognizing nine of the twelve adopted acts as violating the rights and freedoms of citizens and contradicting democratic values. However, many controversial aspects remained, because some norms were later adopted again, sometimes in an even stricter form. For example, provisions on criminal proceedings in absentia, blocking of websites and control over the activities of organizations recognized as “foreign agents” remain relevant.
The events of January 16, 2014 became a symbol of the struggle between authoritarianism and democracy, leaving a deep mark in the history of Ukraine. They became a reminder of how important it is to defend human rights, freedom of speech and other basic values that are the foundation of a democratic society.
