July 12th is World Skydiving Day, World Flight Attendant Day, International Sand and Dust Storm Day and World Rum Day. It is a day when, in different eras, fateful decisions were made, dangerous journeys were made, taboos were broken, and tragedies occurred that forever changed the lives of thousands of people.
World Skydiving Day
This is a new international holiday, launched in 2024. The idea belongs to the four most influential parachute associations in the world, which for the first time in history decided to unite the world community of jumpers within a single day. Its goal is not just the popularization of parachute sports, but the symbolic unity of all those who overcome gravity, fear and stereotypes.
This day falls on the second Saturday of July every year. Its main feature is the global idea of a mass jump. All jumps made on that day worldwide, regardless of country, club or type of parachute, are automatically recorded as part of the overall world record. In 2024, more than 15,000 people from 85 countries took part in this initiative, setting a record for the number of jumps recorded at the same time.
Interesting facts
The world’s first jump with a parachute from an airplane was made in 1912 by the American Albert Berry. His parachute was attached to the outside of the fuselage and to activate it he simply jumped down.
The pioneer woman of parachute sports is Kateryna Budanova, who in the 1930s became the first Soviet instructor and made more than 700 jumps, including uninsured ones.
In 1960, the American Joseph Kittinger jumped from a stratostat from a height of more than 31 km, actually from the edge of space, which became a record for a decade. During the fall, it reached a speed of more than 990 km/h.
The youngest parachutist in the world is Tami Starr, who made her first tandem jump at the age of 3 with a special permit in the USA (officially it is allowed only from the age of 16).
In some African and Asian countries, parachutes are used not only as a sport, but also as a means of delivering medical cargo and even for crossing impassable areas — some local pilots combine the functions of a parachutist and a logistician.
A special form of skydiving — skysurfing — allows you to perform tricks with a snowboard-like board at an altitude of several thousand meters during free fall.
The oldest parachutist who made a jump at the age of 103 is Albert Steeg from Canada. His record was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records in 2022.
There are more than 6,000 active dropzones in the world — specially equipped sites for parachute jumps. Some of them are located in highlands, deserts and even over oceanic atolls.
World Flight Attendant Day
This day does not have an official status of the UN or international organizations, it has a symbolic date chosen to honor one of the most romantic, but at the same time difficult professions in the field of aviation. Its history began when passenger transportation began to become massive, and with it came the need for people who would take care of the comfort and safety of passengers during the flight.
The first flight attendants were exclusively men. This position originated in 1928 in Germany on Luft Hansa flights. Previously, passenger service functions in the cabin were performed by co-pilots. They brought blankets, answered questions, and helped with loading. Only two years later, in 1930, the first female flight attendant appeared in the USA – Ellen Church, who was also a nurse. Her example determined the further profile of the profession, which combined care, stress resistance and the ability to act in emergency situations.
A modern flight attendant is not just an attendant, but a highly qualified on-board security specialist. He is certified, studies aviation medicine, fire training, evacuation rules, self-defense skills and even basic knowledge of psychology. In most countries, to start working, you need to pass several weeks of courses with an exam, and then regular re-certification.
Interesting facts
In the 1930s, American Airlines established a strict rule: flight attendants had to be unmarried, under the age of 25, with a weight of up to 52 kg and a height of no more than 162 cm. Marriage or even engagement was a reason for dismissal.
The first flight attendants were not only nurses, but also had to be able to cook food right on board, since there were no heating systems. They carried food to passengers in baskets.
In some airlines, during the Cold War, flight attendants received special training on how to behave in the event of a plane hijacking. They were given code phrases to communicate with the pilot and memorized instructions for actions during capture.
Qatar, China and Japan still have strict age restrictions for employment. In some companies, employees over the age of 35 are no longer accepted on business class flights.
The average flight attendant covers about 8 to 10 kilometers per intercontinental flight and has to balance during turbulence like a professional dancer.
In the US, flight attendants are officially considered “airline security first responders” and not “service workers”. They have the right to strike, union protection and compulsory health insurance with catastrophe risks.
Statistics show that a flight attendant during a long flight comes into contact with approximately 100-200 passengers, during a day – with several hundreds, and during a year – with tens of thousands of people. This is one of the most socially charged types of work in the transport sector.
The world’s oldest active flight attendant was the American Beth Nash – she started working in 1957 and flew until she was 86 years old.
International Sand and Dust Storm Day
This is a new but important environmental holiday, which was initiated by the decision of the UN General Assembly in 2023. Its goal is to draw attention to a large-scale but often underestimated phenomenon that has serious consequences for human health, the environment, agriculture, the economy and the climate.
Sand and dust storms are not only a natural phenomenon, but also the result of human activity. Deforestation, soil degradation, poor agricultural practices and climate change are increasing the number of such storms in regions where they used to be rare. Dust particles can travel thousands of kilometers, reaching other continents and causing acid rain, worsening respiratory diseases and even reduced rainfall.
The official recognition of storms as a global environmental problem has become a key step in international policy on adaptation to climate change. According to the World Meteorological Organization, more than 300 large sandstorms are recorded on average every year, affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
Interesting facts
A single large storm in the Sahara can send up to 100 million tons of dust into the air, visible from satellites, and can cross the Atlantic to reach the Caribbean and the United States.
Some of the dust that is transported from the Sahara to the Amazon contains phosphorus, a key element for fertilizers, and it is this dust that compensates for the poverty of the Amazonian soil, preserving the jungle ecosystem.
In the 1930s, the United States experienced the so-called “Dust Bowl” – a period of catastrophic storms caused by irrational agriculture. It became one of the biggest environmental disasters in American history.
Dust storms can carry not only sand, but also bacteria, viruses, fungi, heavy metals, fertilizers, microplastics — this seriously affects people’s health even in regions far from the source of the storm.
In Beijing, dust storms sometimes paint the sky a deep yellow color – a phenomenon called “yellow sky”. It is the result of dust coming from the Inner Mongolia and Gobi deserts.
In 2022, due to a dust storm in Iran and Iraq, more than 5 thousand people were simultaneously hospitalized with respiratory problems. This signaled the adoption of new laws in the field of soil and ecosystem protection.
NASA’s Mars missions use the study of storms on Earth as a model to predict dust storms on Mars, where they can last for weeks and cover the entire planet.
Some storms in the Sahel (the transition zone between the Sahara and the savannas) carry dust, which in the atmosphere acts as a reflector of sunlight, temporarily lowering the temperature by several degrees.
World Rum Day
It is an unofficial but globally recognized celebration that unites rum connoisseurs, producers, bartenders and cultural communities around one of mankind’s oldest distilled beverages. The idea of this day is not only to honor rum as a product, but also to celebrate its role in world history, trade, colonialism, folklore and modern gastronomy.
Rum originated in the 17th century in the Caribbean region, when slaves working on sugar cane plantations began fermenting molasses, a byproduct of sugar production. The resulting liquid was distilled, and thus rum was born. From there it quickly spread to Europe, North America and Africa. For a long time, rum was a currency in trade, a payment for sailors, an object of exchange in the triangular transatlantic scheme, and even part of political propaganda.
Rum has a unique style in different countries. It is aged in Jamaican oak barrels and has a bright, fruity profile. In Barbados it is lighter and softer. French colonial islands such as Reunion and Martinique produce rhum agricole, a rum made from cane juice rather than molasses. In Latin America, rum is usually sweeter, with pronounced vanilla and caramel.
Today, rum is not only a part of bar culture, but also the basis of the entire gastronomic industry. It is used in cocktails, desserts, marinades and even for infusing spices. Rum brands have their own fan clubs, and collecting aged samples has become a prestigious hobby.
Interesting facts
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington ordered rum to be served at the inaugural banquet — the drink was considered a symbol of freedom.
In the British Navy, sailors received a daily portion of rum (called a “tot”) until July 31, 1970. The day is still known as “Black Tot Day” – the end of a more than 300-year-old tradition.
The most expensive rum in the world is “Legacy by Angostura” (Trinidad and Tobago), which costs more than $25,000 per bottle. Only 20 copies were created for the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.
In Latin America, rum is called “aguardiente de caña” – fiery water from cane. In some regions, rum is still produced artisanally, without labels, but with a unique taste.
In the 19th century, rum was often added to water to protect it from pathogens — this was one form of “prophylaxis” in sea voyages.
In Portugal, on the island of Madeira, a special rum is produced from green cane with a very low sugar content – its taste is dramatically different from Caribbean varieties.
Pirates of the Caribbean stored rum in wooden barrels, often mixing it with lime, which gave rise to “grog,” a drink that became the prototype for cocktails.
In the Dominican Republic, rum is officially considered a national treasure. There is strict quality certification, and every bottle of export rum is checked by state experts.
Historical events on this day
1679 — the English King Charles II signed one of the most important legal documents in the history of Great Britain — the Habeas Corpus Act. This act established the principle that no person can be imprisoned without due process of law. In fact, it became the first guarantee against arbitrary arrest and laid the foundation for the modern understanding of human rights in the criminal process.
1776 — James Cook, the famous British explorer of the Pacific Ocean, started his third and last expedition. This trip was aimed at finding the Northwest Passage, but it ended tragically – Cook was killed in Hawaii in 1779. Despite this, his research significantly expanded European understanding of southern latitudes, including New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii.
1917 — during the hostilities of the First World War, the German army used mustard gas for the first time, a chemical substance that became a symbol of a new, particularly brutal stage of the war. This poisonous gas affected the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, causing terrible suffering. Its use violated all ethical norms of warfare and caused further regulation of the use of chemical weapons at the international level.
1941 — at the height of the Second World War, the Soviet leadership made a decision that combined a repressive policy with military mobilization. 577 thousand prisoners of correctional and labor camps were sent to the front to penal battalions. The idea was that they were to “expiate guilt with blood.” This became one of the biggest examples of forced militarization of prisoners in the 20th century.
1962 — the young band Rolling Stones performed for the first time on the stage of the Marquee Club in London. Their debut did not immediately become a sensation, but it was on this day that the path of the collective began, which in subsequent decades became one of the symbols of world rock, surviving generations and musical revolutions.
1970 — after 57 days in the open ocean, the expedition led by Tur Heyerdahl on the boat “Ra-2” reached Barbados. A boat made of papyrus modeled after ancient Egyptian ships proved the possibility of transatlantic sailing of ancient civilizations. This experiment became a significant contribution to the theory of prehistoric intercontinental connections.
1979 — The Republic of Kiribati, located on the islands in the center of the Pacific Ocean, officially gained independence from Great Britain. The former colony became a sovereign state, later joining the UN and other international organizations. Despite its independence, Kiribati still remains among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change.
1998 — the final of the World Cup took place in Paris, which became historic for the French national team. The hosts of the tournament won against Brazil with a score of 3:0, becoming world champions for the first time. It was not just a triumph in sports – the victory had a symbolic meaning for multinational France, because Zinedine Zidane – the son of Algerian emigrants – became the hero.
2021 — Europe was rocked by one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent decades. More than 190 people have died, including more than 150 in Germany, as a result of severe flooding caused by heavy downpours. The natural disaster destroyed houses and infrastructure and left tens of thousands of people homeless. This tragedy became another alarming reminder of the reality of the climate crisis.
Gaius Julius Caesar’s birthday
On July 12 (probably) 100 BC, Gaius Julius Caesar was born – one of the most influential figures in the history of ancient Rome, a politician, commander, high priest and author whose influence extends far beyond antiquity.
Caesar came from the ancient patrician line of the Juliuses, which claimed divine descent—specifically, a connection to the goddess Venus. Despite the noble origin, Caesar’s family did not belong to the leading aristocracy at that time. He began his journey in the complex political atmosphere of the Roman Republic, successively passing through all stages of his career – military and civil. In his youth, he survived imprisonment, was forced to emigrate, but thanks to his energy, charisma and strategic thinking, he returned and gradually gained influence.
In the republic, the highest executive positions were consuls — two consuls were elected, who had higher civil and military power. Caesar held this position in 59 BC. there are. But later, in periods of special threat to the state, the Romans temporarily appointed one ruler – a dictator, who was given absolute power, but only for a limited period – usually no more than six months. Caesar became dictator in 49 BC. e., and later – a lifelong dictator, which meant a final break with the republican tradition.
In addition to his political career, Caesar was a great pontiff, the high priest of Rome who led the religious life of the republic. This position had not only a cultic, but also an important political significance, because it allowed to control public rituals and the interpretation of the will of the gods.
His military activity brought Rome the greatest territorial gains. The campaign in Gaul (the territory of modern France, Belgium, parts of Switzerland and Germany) was especially significant, where Caesar broke the resistance of the Gallic tribes, advanced to the Rhine and even made a symbolic campaign to Britain. His army, disciplined and loyal, became a guarantee of his personal power.
Although Caesar declared a policy of mercy to the defeated and forgave many opponents, his reign was accompanied by brutal repression and demonstrative massacres of those he considered a threat to his power. Having gradually concentrated all the power in his hands – both military and religious – he questioned the very idea of the republic, which caused opposition from the senate.
In 44 BC e., at the peak of his power, Gaius Julius Caesar was killed by conspirators right in the senate meeting hall. Among the murderers were his former associates, in particular Marcus Junius Brutus, whom he considered close. This murder was a turning point: with the death of Caesar, the Roman Republic ended, and the Roman Empire arose on its ruins.
Although Caesar’s life and death seem at first glance clearly outlined in history, his character remains mysterious. His ambitions, reforms, relations with political allies and enemies – all this is studied by historians to this day, and archaeologists are still unearthing traces of his influence throughout Europe. His reign was an era of change — brilliant and tragic at the same time.
Birthday Sergey Utochkin
On July 12, 1876, Serhiy Isaich Utochkin was born in Odesa into a merchant family – one of the brightest and most romantic figures of the beginning of the 20th century, an aviation pioneer, tester, sportsman, an extreme athlete respected by Odessans, an idol of children and dreamers.
He was called the “flying man”, “crazy aviator”, “cycling genius” and “the main daredevil of the romantic era”. He had no formal training in aviation, but his passion for speed, height and risk made him a symbol of the technical avant-garde of his time. During his life, he took to the air on everything he could – from a balloon, a balloon, and a glider to an airplane and even a windmill wing.
Utochkin became famous for his flights on the Farman biplane over more than 70 cities of the world. One of the most famous took place on May 25, 1910 in Kharkiv: thousands of townspeople literally flooded the streets, trying to see with their own eyes Serhiy Utochkin rising into the sky from the Kharkiv Hippodrome. It was almost impossible to find transport in the city that day – all attention was fixed on the sky.
But flights are only part of Utochkin’s biography. Even before aviation, he was a multifaceted athlete: fencer, boxer, swimmer, yachtsman, soccer player, bicycle racer, motorcycle racer and car racer. He was adored for his audacity and passion for incredible challenges. He arranged races with a steam tram, competed with horsemen, went down the Potemkin stairs on a bicycle, a motorcycle and even a car. His appearance was recognizable from afar: fiery red hair, expressive stuttering, humor, courage – all this made him a folk legend during his lifetime.
He spoke about himself with characteristic self-irony:
“I am an aviator… I flew over the sea, over the cathedral, over the pyramids. Crashed to death four times. The rest of the times are trifles. I feed on air and gasoline… In a word, I am the happiest of Odessans…”.
Serhii Utochkin died in 1916, at the height of the First World War. His death remained practically unnoticed – the era of brutal realities did not notice the romantics.
But the memory of him returned. In 2000, in Odesa, on Deribasivska street, in building #22, the reconstruction of the cinema was completed, which was opened in 1913 by the Utochkin brothers under the name “Utochkino”. During the Soviet era, the building changed names several times, but the beginning of the 2000s returned it to its origins. And on September 2, 2001, a bronze monument to Serhiy Utochkin by the sculptor Oleksandr Tokarev was installed at the entrance. The plaque under the monument is engraved:
“The idol of Odesa, aviator and dreamer Serhiy Utochkin – grateful descendants.”
This is how Odesa honored not just a brave man, but a person who dreamed of the sky all his life – and knew how to inspire others to dream with him.
Tour Heyerdahl crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the papyrus boat “Ra-2”
On July 12, 1970, Tur Heyerdahl crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the papyrus boat “Ra-2” in 57 days and reached the coast of Barbados. This was the traveler’s second attempt to implement a bold idea: to prove that even in ancient times people could cross the ocean on simple vessels made of natural materials. The first expedition, which took place a year earlier, ended in failure – due to structural flaws, the boat “Ra” sank about halfway. It was built by Egyptian craftsmen from the Lake Chad area, but the construction turned out to be unreliable.
For the second attempt, Heyerdahl turned to the Aymara Indians of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, who had a deep tradition of weaving boats from reeds. It was their hands that created a new papyrus boat – “Ra-2”, which later successfully crossed the ocean.
The crew consisted of seven people from different parts of the world – a Russian, a Japanese, a Moroccan, an Italian, an Egyptian, an American and a representative of the USSR – doctor Yuriy Senkevich. He was not only a member of this expedition, but also participated in two other trips of Heyerdahl.
Sienkovych later recalled: “Ra” has something in common with a spaceship: endless space around, a tiny island – our boat – and people who have to live and work on it side by side for a long time. And the expression “side by side” in these circumstances is not a metaphor. It sometimes sounds not at all major, as it seems from the outside. Let’s imagine an ideal situation: purely brilliant, ideal people go on an interplanetary expedition. But who guarantees that even they will not become difficult with each other in a tight space?”
Tur Heyerdahl himself was convinced: people of different nationalities, political views and beliefs, if united by a common goal, are able to fruitfully cooperate and live in peace even on a small boat in the middle of the endless ocean. And the very fact that “Ra-2”, built on the model of ancient Egyptian ships, was able to cross the Atlantic, confirmed Heyerdahl’s main hypothesis: long before Columbus, people on woven boats could migrate from continent to continent without maps and compasses, only trusting the wind and ocean currents.
