On January 24, Foreign Intelligence Day is celebrated in Ukraine, and in the world – International Education Day, International Mobile Phone Recycling Day and International Women’s Sports Day.
Many historical events took place on this day, including the death of Caligula and Winston Churchill, the beginning of the California Gold Rush, and others.
Day of foreign intelligence of Ukraine
On January 24, Ukraine celebrates Foreign Intelligence Day — a professional holiday dedicated to the activities of bodies that protect national interests outside the country. This date was chosen because it was on January 24, 1919 that the Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic decided to create the first intelligence unit. This became an important step in the establishment of Ukrainian statehood and the protection of its independence.
The Ukrainian People’s Republic, finding itself in a difficult geopolitical situation, realized the need to form a structure that could quickly receive information about the activities of neighboring states, international threats and enemy plans. In January 1919, the “Information Bureau” was created as part of the General Staff of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the first specialized body engaged in the collection of intelligence data. This bureau became the prototype of modern foreign intelligence of Ukraine.
Despite the difficult conditions in which the young state found itself, UNR intelligence was able to obtain a number of important information that helped in the struggle for independence. This activity became the basis for the development of Ukrainian intelligence structures in the following years.
After the declaration of independence of Ukraine in 1991, foreign intelligence became an integral part of the national security system. In February 1992, after the All-Ukrainian meeting on military construction, the formation of the Intelligence Directorate of the Main Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUD) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine actively work to protect the interests of the state in the international arena. In the 21st century, their role has become especially important in the context of countering hybrid threats and preserving the country’s sovereignty.
Interesting facts
The first intelligence tasks of the time of the Ukrainian People’s Republic consisted not only of gathering information, but also of conducting special operations. This included counter-propaganda, recruiting agents and securing diplomatic missions.
During the years of independence, Ukrainian intelligence gained a reputation as a highly professional body. Her achievements include uncovering international espionage networks, countering cyber threats and preventing terrorist acts.
In 2022, during a full-scale war with Russia, Ukrainian intelligence demonstrated its effectiveness, obtaining strategically important data and coordinating cooperation with Western partners.
International Education Day
Every year on January 24, the world celebrates the International Day of Education. This date was approved by the UN General Assembly in 2018 to highlight the importance of education as a fundamental right of every human being. Education is the basis of the development of society, ensuring equality, peace and well-being. It contributes to the growth of economies, the formation of critical thinking citizens and the overcoming of global challenges. However, despite advances in education, there are still millions of people in the world who are deprived of access to quality education due to poverty, conflict or inequality. On this day, the UN calls on all countries of the world to continue investing in education, to create inclusive education systems and to guarantee access to knowledge for all, especially for the most vulnerable population groups.
Interesting facts
Finland has one of the best education systems in the world and there is almost no homework and grading only starts in high school.
There are more than 244 million children in the world who do not have access to schooling, and most of them live in developing countries.
In ancient Greece, education was considered a luxury available only to boys from wealthy families.
The oldest university in the world that is still active today is the University of Al-Qaraouin in Fez, Morocco, founded in 859.
In Japan, children are taught from an early age not only subjects, but also etiquette, order and teamwork, because it is considered to be as important as academic knowledge.
Only 2% of books in the world are available in Braille, which is a significant barrier to education for the visually impaired.
In the 21st century, e-learning has revolutionized education, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote platforms have enabled millions of students to continue their education.
International Mobile Phone Recycling Day
On January 24, the world celebrates International Mobile Phone Recycling Day. This is an environmentally significant initiative designed to draw attention to the problem of e-waste generated by mobile devices and to promote recycling practices. Millions of new mobile phones are produced in the world every year, and old devices are often thrown away without proper disposal, becoming part of e-waste. This creates serious environmental challenges, as batteries and electronic components contain harmful substances that can pollute soil and water.
The main goal of this day is to encourage people to use technology responsibly: to recycle old mobile phones, use exchange programs or donate usable devices to those who need them. Such steps not only reduce waste, but also help reuse valuable materials such as gold, silver and other metals that can be recovered from machinery.
Interesting facts
On average, a mobile phone contains about 0.034 g of gold, 0.24 g of silver and 9 g of copper. Disposal of one million phones allows you to get up to 16 tons of copper and about 350 kg of silver.
More than 50 million tons of e-waste are generated annually in the world, and only 20% of it is officially recycled.
The production of one mobile phone requires about 75 kg of raw materials, including metals, plastic and chemical components.
About 90% of the components of a modern smartphone can be reused after recycling.
Research shows that most people keep at least one old cell phone at home and don’t know what to do with it.
In some countries, such as Japan, recycled mobile devices are used to make medals for sporting events, including the Olympics.
The oldest mobile phone to be redesigned is the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, released in 1983.
International Women’s Sports Day
International Women’s Sports Day has its origins in France, where it was introduced with the support of the Ministry of Sports and the Secretariat of State for Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination. This event is designed to draw attention to the importance of involving women in sports, reducing gender barriers and creating a level playing field for all in the sports environment.
The holiday celebrates the achievements of women in sport and reminds them of the challenges they face along the way, including underrepresentation in professional sports, prejudice and limited access to resources. The initiative is also aimed at promoting an active lifestyle among women and girls, increasing their confidence through physical activity and encouraging sports competitions at various levels.
Interesting facts
In the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, women did not participate, and only in 1900 they were able to compete, and in only 2 disciplines – golf and tennis.
In Ukraine, women make up about 40% of professional athletes, and this number is growing thanks to numerous initiatives for the development of women’s sports.
American tennis player Billie Jean King became a symbol of the fight for gender equality in sports after the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973, where she defeated male tennis player Bobby Riggs.
The largest women’s marathon takes place annually in New York, attracting tens of thousands of participants from all over the world.
In 2022, women’s football broke popularity records, when the final of the European Women’s Championship gathered more than 87 thousand spectators at Wembley Stadium.
In many countries, women face difficulties in accessing sports due to cultural or religious restrictions, but these barriers are gradually being overcome thanks to global initiatives.
In France, Women’s Sports Day has become part of the national strategy to combat discrimination in sports, and every year more countries join this initiative.
Historical events on this day
41 years old — one of the most famous conspiracies took place in the Roman Empire: Emperor Caligula was killed along with members of his family. After that, Claudius, who distinguished himself by reforms in the administrative management of the state, ascended the imperial throne.
1907 year — the first scout troop was created in England. This movement, started by Robert Baden-Powell, became the basis for an international scouting organization that promotes survival skills, teamwork and moral values among young people.
1923 year — the literary union “Hart” was created in Kharkiv. This organization played an important role in the development of Ukrainian literature in the 1920s and contributed to the unification of artists of the new wave, in particular representatives of the “shot revival”.
1935 year — in Richmond, USA, the first batch of bottled beer Krueger Cream Ale went on sale. This event was revolutionary for the beverage industry, because it opened an era of convenient packaging, which eventually became the standard.
1939 year — Chile experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.3, which caused the death of about 28 thousand people. This is one of the most destructive earthquakes in the history of the country, which left a deep mark in the memory of the Chilean people.
1973 year — Ajax football club from the Netherlands became the first winner of the European Super Cup. This trophy cemented the club’s reputation as one of the leaders in world football at that time.
1976 year — near the coast of France, the Olympic Bravery tanker ran aground. Three weeks after the accident, the ship split in half, causing an environmental disaster.
1977 year — a terrorist attack organized by the Spanish far-right took place in Madrid. As a result, five lawyers of the “Working Commission” trade union were killed, which caused outrage in Spanish society.
1984 year — the first Apple Macintosh personal computers were sold in the USA. Their cost was $2495, and this event became a revolution in the world of technology, ushering in the era of affordable personal devices.
1986 year — the Voyager 2 spacecraft reached Uranus, becoming the first man-made object to approach this planet. This discovery expanded our understanding of the solar system.
2011 year — a terrorist attack took place at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, during which 37 people died. The explosion caused a wave of discussions about the safety of transport hubs in Russia.
2015 year — pro-Russian terrorists from the “DNR” group shelled a residential quarter of Mariupol, resulting in the death of 30 civilians. This incident became one of the bloodiest in the war in eastern Ukraine.
2020 is the year — Prime Minister of Great Britain Boris Johnson signed the agreement on the withdrawal of the country from the European Union. This event officially cemented the Brexit process.
2020 is the year — an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 occurred in the Turkish province of Elazig, as a result of which dozens of people were killed and significant destruction was caused.
The Death of Caligula and His Legacy
January 24, 41 is the exact date of death of the Roman emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, known as Caligula. This day remained in history thanks to ancient authors who described in detail the circumstances of the emperor’s murder. In Rome, on this day, annual games were held in honor of the divine Augustus: gladiator fights, horse races and theatrical performances. The conspirators, who included senators, ambushed Caligula as he was emerging from the west, and struck him with swords about thirty times. Before his death, the emperor, according to legend, exclaimed: “I’m still alive.”
The image of Caligula is usually associated with a bloodthirsty tyrant, a sexual pervert, a murderer of relatives and a megalomaniac ruler. His reign was a period of fear and chaos, but contemporaries also remembered a completely different side of his personality. In particular, his assassination was not enthusiastically received by ordinary Romans, as he had gained widespread popular support early in his reign.
Caligula’s accession to the throne was accompanied by a genuine popular uprising. He was well educated, supported science and art, and was distinguished by eloquence. His first steps in office were aimed at improving the lives of citizens: he canceled the repressive laws of his predecessor, returned to the people the right to elect some government positions, which, however, caused the displeasure of the senate. Caligula began publishing reports on the state of the empire, something that had not been done for many years.
The emperor spent a lot of money on construction in Rome, providing jobs at the same time, and also distributed free bread to the residents of the capital. Despite all the stories about his eccentricities, many of his personnel appointments were destined to become successful. In foreign policy, Caligula achieved stable peace with his neighbors.
However, his reputation was destroyed due to numerous scandals, declaring himself a god and absurd actions. The most famous of them was the “declaration of war” of the sea god Neptune. During the campaign against Britain, the emperor ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows into the sea and then collect shells as “trophies”.
The conspirators explained the assassination of Caligula as the need to return democracy and the republic. However, their plan failed: one of the guards found Caligula’s uncle, Claudius, who was hiding in the palace, and proclaimed him emperor. However, Claudius could not win general support.
It is interesting that in ancient Greece the word “tyrant” did not have a negative meaning and denoted the rule of one person, regardless of his character or actions. Caligula left behind a lot of controversial quotes, one of which can be a piece of advice for modern leaders:
“If you do not punish the officials, then you will be forced to punish the people. Be strict with the dignitaries so that they work and do not blame their sins on the people.
The beginning of the California gold rush
On January 24, 1848, James Marshall, while working at a sawmill in California, accidentally discovered a gold nugget worth $5 in a water wheel. This seemingly insignificant find became the catalyst for one of the greatest events of the 19th century, the California Gold Rush. Shortly thereafter, US President James Polk confirmed the reality of these reports in an address to Congress: “The reports of the abundance of gold in those lands, which sound so incredible, would be hard to believe if they were not confirmed by the official reports of our officials.”
These words caused an unprecedented stir. Thousands of people from all over America and even from other parts of the world moved to California in the hope of finding gold and getting rich. Many have indeed succeeded and become millionaires, but for most this dream has ended in bankruptcy. Even San Francisco emptied out for a time, as almost all the grown men left their jobs to search for gold. The sawmill at which Marshall worked also ceased to exist.
However, America has remained true to its ability to turn even crisis into opportunity. Californian cities began to develop rapidly due to the massive influx of population, which increased 34 times. Those who failed to find gold became cheap labor for local businesses, while those who were lucky invested their wealth in the development of the regional economy.
The story of Samuel Brennan, a 29-year-old store owner who did not rush to find gold, but came up with a cunning plan, is particularly interesting. He bought up all the shovels, wash-buckets, and other equipment necessary for prospectors, and secured a monopoly of these goods within a radius of 2,000 miles. To raise the demand, he brandished bottles of gold and shouted: “Gold! Gold was found in California!”. Brennan made a lot of money proving that gold isn’t always in the ground—it can be in ideas.
So California began to turn into a prosperous state of millionaires. However, James Marshall himself, who accidentally started this process, did not benefit from it in any way. He died in an old hut, but today there is a monument at the place where he was found.
Gold rushes, which began in the middle of the 19th century, continue to this day in various parts of the world. The most famous periods were the Californian, Australian, South African, Klondike and Alaskan fevers.
This theme has inspired many artists. One of the most famous works is Charlie Chaplin’s film “Gold fever”. In correspondence with Einstein, Chaplin received a compliment: “Your film is understood by the whole world and you will definitely become big.” To which Chaplin wittily replied: “And I admire you even more. No one understands your theory of relativity, but you still became great.”
Farewell to the famous Briton
On January 24, 1965, at the age of 90, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, an outstanding British politician, military commander, writer, artist and laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature, passed away. This date became a symbol of the end of an era, because Churchill was one of the most influential figures not only in the history of Great Britain, but also in world history.
Churchill left a legacy that extended far beyond his political career. He twice held the position of Prime Minister of Great Britain, in particular during the most difficult period of the Second World War. His determination, charisma and unwavering belief in victory over Nazi Germany inspired not only the British, but also allies around the world. It was Churchill who uttered his famous words: “I can only offer blood, toil, tears and sweat”, which became a symbol of British resistance during the war.
However, his achievements are not limited to military victories. He was a brilliant orator, and his speeches remain a model of rhetoric. In 1953, Winston Churchill received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his memoirs and historical works. His book “Second World War” became a classic of historical literature.
Less well known is that Churchill was also a talented artist. During breaks between political activities, he created more than 500 paintings, which today are kept in museums and private collections. Painting became for him not only a hobby, but also a way to restore inner balance in difficult moments of life.
His achievements won recognition not only in his homeland. He became an honorary citizen of the USA, and his name is forever inscribed in world history as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. Despite all the difficulties, controversial decisions and difficulties he faced, Churchill left behind a legacy that continues to inspire the world today.
Churchill’s death was a great blow to Britain and the whole world. His funeral, held with great honours, was the first national funeral in Great Britain in the 20th century, drawing millions to pay their respects to this great figure. Winston Churchill remained not only in history books, but also in people’s hearts as a symbol of courage, leadership and indomitable spirit.
Beer for dogs
On January 23, 2007, Dutch pet store owner Terry Berenden invented brewing beer for dogs. The idea came to him during a trip to Austria.
“Every year I go hunting and take my dog with me. In the evening, my friends and I relax on the veranda and drink beer. Then I thought that the dog deserves a mouthful, too.” Terry says.
He brews “dog” beer non-alcoholic, because, according to him, it is not only safe, but also useful for dogs. The drink is enriched with vitamins, amino acids and minerals. It is prepared from grain – the remains of malt after brewing ordinary beer – or from meat broth.
However, this drink is created exclusively for four-legged friends, and people are not recommended to try it. After all, as they say: a drinking dog is a real grief for the family!
