January 18th is World Snowman Day, Lighthouse Lighting Day, Dictionary Day and Winnie the Pooh Day. Important historical and interesting events also took place on this day.
World Snowman Day
This day symbolizes not only children’s joy from winter fun, but also a deeper understanding of culture, traditions and environmental awareness. A snowman is one of the most famous symbols of winter, which brings warmth to people even in the cold season. Its creation has become an important part of winter traditions in many countries of the world.
The date of January 18 was not chosen by chance – the number 8 resembles the shape of a snowman, and 1 is associated with his broom. It is believed that on this day, everyone, regardless of age, can show their creativity by sculpting snowmen from snow or creating them from other materials, if nature has not given a real winter.
Snowmen have an interesting history. The earliest references to their creation date back to the Middle Ages. Historians discovered drawings of snowmen in manuscripts of the 14th century. At that time, snowmen were not always associated with entertainment – they could be a symbol of protest or even art. With the development of culture, the snowman became an image of joy and a symbol of the unification of people.
Interesting facts
The earliest evidence of the creation of snowmen comes from the Middle Ages. Historians found drawings of snowmen in manuscripts of the 14th century, where they served not only as entertainment, but also as a way of expressing emotions or even political protest.
In 1494, the snowman was created by Michelangelo himself by order of the Medici. It was a real snow sculpture that decorated a courtyard in Florence.
The tallest snowman was sculpted in 2008 in Maine, USA. Its height was more than 37 meters, and tons of snow were used to create it. He even had a full carrot nose over 1.2 meters long!
Japan has a snowman festival every year where residents create thousands of small snowmen with lit candles inside. This creates a unique atmosphere of a fairy tale.
In Switzerland, there is an ancient custom of burning a snowman figure at the end of winter. It is believed that the faster the snowman burns, the warmer the summer will be.
In various cultures, the snowman symbolizes winter joy, renewal and even the ephemerality of life, because it melts when the heat comes.
In the Japanese city of Sapporo, a snow festival is held every year, where one of the main events is the creation of thousands of small snowmen. A candle is lit inside each of them, creating a magical winter atmosphere.
In 2010, an “Army of Snowmen” was created in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, for a campaign to support world peace. People from different countries joined in, sculpting snowmen as a symbol of unity.
In 2015, a record was set in Japan: 20,369 snowmen were made in one day in the city of Iyono. This became possible thanks to the participation of thousands of people.
In Germany there is a museum dedicated exclusively to snowmen. There are thousands of exhibits, including figurines, toys, books and even vintage photographs.
In some countries where there is little or no snow, snowmen are made from sand, cloth or even plastic cups. This shows the universality of this symbol.
Lighthouse lighting day
This holiday honors the important role of lighthouses in maritime history and their symbolic meaning. For centuries, these majestic structures have helped sailors navigate in the dark and storms, saving thousands of lives. At the same time, the lighthouse became a universal symbol of hope, salvation and a signpost leading to a safe shore.
Lighthouses have a thousand-year history. The most famous of them is the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built in the 3rd century BC. there are. It towered above the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, serving as a signpost for ships sailing to Egypt. Since then, technology has evolved, but the idea has remained the same — the lighthouse was supposed to be a support and a reference point.
Lighthouse Lighting Day not only reminds us of their practical function, but also draws attention to their cultural and historical significance. Today, lighthouses often become architectural monuments, tourist attractions, and a source of inspiration for art and literature.
Interesting facts
The oldest lighthouse still in operation is the Tower of Hercules in A Coruña, Spain. He is more than 1900 years old.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, built on the island of Pharos in the 3rd century BC, was considered the tallest structure of its time (approximately 120-140 meters high). It was destroyed by earthquakes, but remained a symbol of all lighthouses.
Previously, lighthouses used open fire or lamps fueled by whale oil. In 1822, the Swiss engineer Augustin-Jean Fresnel developed the Fresnel lens, which greatly increased the brightness of light, making lighthouses visible at greater distances.
The tallest lighthouse is the Jeddah Lighthouse (Saudi Arabia), its height is 133 meters. It is used not only for navigation, but also as an administrative building.
In the 20th century, lighthouses became automated, but previously they were maintained by special caretakers who lived in complete isolation.
Beacons differ in color and frequency of flashing light so that they can be distinguished even in the worst weather conditions.
Lighthouses are not only architectural structures, but also symbols of safety, strength and hope.
Explanatory dictionary day
This is an unofficial but interesting holiday, which is celebrated every year on January 18. This day is designed to highlight the importance of dictionaries in our daily lives and their role in the development of language, culture and education.
A dictionary is an indispensable tool for understanding the meaning of words, their usage, origin and context. It helps us to enrich our vocabulary, improve our literacy and find new ways of expressing our thoughts.
The date of the celebration was chosen in honor of the publication of the first explanatory dictionary of the English language by Samuel Johnson in 1755. His work was a breakthrough in lexicography and laid the foundations for the modern dictionaries we use today.
Interesting facts
The first dictionary in the world was created in ancient Mesopotamia more than 4000 years ago. It contained translations of Sumerian words into Akkadian.
New words are added to modern dictionaries every year, reflecting changes in culture, technology and society. For example, words like “podcast” or “emoji” have only become part of the vocabulary in recent decades.
The world’s largest dictionary is the Oxford English Dictionary, which contains more than 600,000 words and phrases.
Winnie the Pooh Day
This day is celebrated in honor of the birthday of Alan Alexander Milne, the British author who gave the world one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature. This day reminds of the magical world created by Milne, which is still a source of joy and inspiration for children and adults.
Milne created the character of Winnie the Pooh in 1926, inspired by his son Christopher Robin’s teddy bear and his adventures in the fairy forest. Along with Pooh, other magical characters appeared in this story: Tigger, Ya-Ya, Kanga, Roo and Piglet, who became symbols of friendship, kindness and life wisdom.
Winnie the Pooh himself became not only a literary, but also a cultural phenomenon. His image is used in cartoons, songs, theater productions, and he remains a favorite hero of many generations.
Interesting facts
The real bear that inspired Winnie the Pooh was a female bear named Winnipeg (or simply Winnie). She was brought to London Zoo from Canada.
The book about Winnie the Pooh has been translated into more than 50 languages, including Latin, where it is called Winnie Ille Pu.
In 2009, scientists used fairy tale characters to analyze mental health, believing that each of them symbolizes a certain psychological type or disorder.
Historical events on this day
1535 – the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city of Lima, which became the current capital of Peru. It played a key role in the development of the Spanish colonies in South America.
1778 – British navigator James Cook became the first European to see the Hawaiian Islands, naming them the Sandwich Islands after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich.
1788 – the first British settlers appeared in Botanic Bay (Australia). Their mission was to establish penal colonies for criminals, which was the beginning of the British colonization of Australia.
1871 – after the end of the Franco-Prussian war, the creation of the German Empire, also known as the Second Reich, was proclaimed in the Palace of Versailles. This event changed the political map of Europe.
1886 – the first car was produced, which marked the beginning of the era of motorized transport.
1918 – in Kyiv, students of St. Volodymyr’s University and the Ukrainian National University decided to create the Sich Riflemen’s Student Smokehouse, which became a symbol of student patriotism.
1919 – the Paris Peace Conference began in Versailles, the participants of which approved the charter of the League of Nations. It was an attempt to establish international peace after the First World War.
1919 – the company “Bentley Motors” was founded in London, which specialized in the production of sports and elegant cars. In 1931, the company was acquired by Rolls-Royce.
1919 – Ignatius Jan Paderewski, a famous Polish pianist, became the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, setting an example of combining political and cultural activities.
1934 – British police used pocket radios for the first time to fight crime. A thief who stole three coats in Brighton was arrested 15 minutes after the report.
1944 – the first serious battles between the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and the NKVD troops took place in Volyn.
1963 – the football club “Karpaty” (Lviv) was founded, which became the pride of Ukrainian football.
1964 – American doctors called on the Congress to oblige cigarette companies to indicate on the packs a warning about the harm of smoking to health.
1964 – the Beatles’ song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” entered the American hit parade for the first time. It quickly gained popularity and after two weeks topped the list of the most popular songs.
1991 – The Bundestag of Germany elected Helmut Kohl as the Federal Chancellor for the fourth time. For the first time, there were four female ministers in the new government of a united Germany.
1995 – during an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 in the city of Kobe (Japan), 6,500 people died. It became one of the greatest tragedies in modern Japanese history.
1996 – for the first time, software was released on a new type of media – DVD. The company “Digital Directory Assistance” put the data that took up 6 CD-ROMs on one DVD.
1997 – the Norwegian Berg Usland completed the solo crossing of Antarctica, which lasted from November 15, 1996. This became an outstanding achievement in the field of research of the coldest continent.
January 18, 1654 the Pereyaslav Council was held – a gathering of Cossack military officers and Moscow ambassadors, which became one of the key points in the relations between Ukraine and Russia. In the city of Pereyaslav, Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi gathered the population and Cossacks in the square, where he made a speech, calling to vote for the annexation of the territory of the Zaporizhzhya Army to the Muscovite Empire and to swear allegiance to the tsar.
The decision on this unification was actually made back in 1653, but it was on January 18, 1654 that the legal registration of this event took place. In his speech, the hetman argued for the need for a union, emphasizing how bad it would be if this step did not take place. At the same time, historians claim that no details of the agreement were discussed that day. On the contrary, as the chronicler Samiylo Velichko wrote, the hetman allegedly read the articles of the agreement, but modern researchers refute this. At the time of the council, negotiations on the content of the future agreement had not even begun.
The key goal of the Cossacks was to preserve their freedoms and autonomy. Until the middle of the 17th century, the Polish crown mostly satisfied the needs of the Zaporozhians, but further restrictions on their rights forced the Cossacks to seek protection. Tsar Oleksii Mikhailovich of Moscow appeared to be a reliable ally who could guarantee self-government, autonomy and financial support. But the Cossacks’ expectations and reality diverged.
The decision to join was supported by the majority of the population, which sought unification with the Orthodox state, but there were also opponents. Such regiments as Bratslavsky, Poltavasky, Umansky and Kropyvnyansky, as well as Colonel Ivan Bohun and part of the townspeople from Kyiv, Pereyaslav and Chernobyl, refused to swear an oath to Moscow.
Interestingly, there were also opponents of reunification in Moscow itself. The union with Ukraine led to a military conflict with Poland, and the final status of Ukraine was determined only in 1656. Then, without the participation of Ukrainian ambassadors, Moscow signed the Peace of Vilnius with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Hetman and the Cossack foreman were not informed about the results of the agreements. When the ambassadors returned, they bitterly reported that the Tsar of Moscow had in fact agreed to return Ukraine to the rule of the Polish king, and in case of Cossack disobedience, he intended to help the Poles in suppressing the uprisings.
Khmelnitsky was angry and began to look for new allies. In particular, he concluded a treaty with Sweden, seeking the complete destruction of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. After his death, the so-called “Ruin” began – the period of civil war. The new hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi, having concluded the Hadiatsky Agreement with Poland, started a war against the Muscovite kingdom. Later, history repeated itself during the hetmanship of Ivan Mazepa, when he also tried to remove Ukraine from Moscow’s influence.
This event became the starting point of a centuries-long confrontation and attempts to restore Ukrainian independence, as well as a lesson about the complexity of alliances and the need for clearly defined conditions to protect national interests.
January 18, 2008 Ukrainian politics for the first time witnessed a public clash between high-ranking officials of the executive power. After the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, which was devoted to land issues, in the building of the presidential secretariat, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yuriy Lutsenko, struck Kyiv Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky with a blow (or, according to another version, even two, including a blow below the belt).
This incident caused a wide resonance in society, because the land issue has always been extremely conflictual and sensitive in Ukrainian politics. Someone even sarcastically noted that “two blows are not enough for the land issue.”
After the incident, Leonid Chernovetskyi was placed under the supervision of doctors, who diagnosed him with a “closed brain injury.” This news caused a wave of comments and jokes in the media space.
Subsequently, Chernovetskyi decided to prove his physical superiority and offered Yury Lutsenko to run a 5-kilometer cross-country race together to determine who was stronger. Lutsenko refused, offering instead to undergo doping control for drugs. Despite this, Leonid Chernovetsky demonstrated his physical fitness in the presence of journalists: he ran, swam in the pool and pulled himself up on a horizontal bar. In this way, he tried to deny rumors about drug use and health problems, while emphasizing his confidence and activity.
This event became not only indicative of the Ukrainian politics of that time, but also a symbol of political eccentricity, which often bordered on theatrical shows. It remained in the memory of citizens for a long time as one of the most curious incidents in the history of the Ukrainian government.
January 18, 2022 in the center of Kyiv, a gusty wind tore down a three-meter cross from St. Sophia’s Cathedral, which caused a considerable public outcry. The official cause of the incident was called “metal corrosion”, but many saw this event as a bad sign, linking it to the worsening political and military situation in the country.
Meanwhile, oil prices began to rise on world markets, which increased the tension in the economy. Against this background, Russia removed about 50 people from its consulates in Kyiv and Lviv, which raised new suspicions about a possible worsening of relations between the countries.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in response to a petition regarding the conscription of women for military service, instructed the Ministry of Defense to reduce the list of professions for which women must register for military service. This step is aimed at softening the public reaction, because the initiative has caused a lot of controversy in society.
Former President Petro Poroshenko, who was under prosecution at the time, continued to actively make his statements. On the eve of Epiphany, he commented on the situation as follows:
“They say that the devils will die on the Epiphany. They are going to announce the decision just in time for Epiphany, the 19th. Let’s show how we know how to celebrate major Christian holidays.”
These words became part of his public defense strategy and an attempt to mobilize his supporters. The totality of these events created a tense information background, reflecting the political, social and economic turbulence that prevailed in Ukraine at the beginning of 2022.
On January 18, 2023, 14 people, including one child, died as a result of a helicopter crash on the territory of a kindergarten in the city of Brovary, Kyiv region. Another 29 people were injured. Among the dead were high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine: Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his first deputy Yevhen Yenin and State Secretary of the Ministry Yuriy Lubkovich.
The usual working trip of the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs ended with a tragedy that shook the whole country. The investigation established that there was no sabotage or attempt on government officials. However, in August, the State Bureau of Investigation reported suspicion to five employees of the State Emergency Service (ESES). They were accused of violating the rules of safety and operation of the helicopter, which led to the crash and the death of people.
The helicopter that crashed was an Airbus H225 Super Puma model. The contract for the purchase of 55 such machines for the total amount of 551 million euros was concluded by the former Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Arsen Avakov. At the same time, the helicopters were not delivered new. It is known that a number of European countries, in particular Norway and Poland, previously refused to operate this model due to safety issues.
After this tragedy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine forbade its leaders to use such transport during martial law. This event raised many questions about the safety and quality of aircraft, as well as the responsibility for the operation of such equipment.
