July 7: holidays and events on this day

July 7 is celebrated in Ukraine as the Day of Nature Conservation Worker, in the world – International Day of Peace and Love, World Forgiveness Day and World Chocolate Day. Also, this day entered the history of the world and Ukraine as a day of important political, cultural, military and scientific events.
Day of the Nature Conservation Worker in Ukraine
This professional holiday was introduced by the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 1049/2009 in October 2009. This date has a symbolic meaning: in the Ukrainian tradition, it was on Ivan Kupala that natural forces were honored – fire, water, vegetation. The holiday emphasizes the connection between ancient rites and the modern system of nature protection.
Nature conservation specialists work in national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, botanical gardens, regional landscape parks, and geological monuments of nature. They are responsible for the protection of animal and plant life, landscapes, water systems, conducting Red Book monitoring, environmental education and preventing violations in protected areas.
Interesting facts
In the 2020s, Ukraine became one of the first countries in Europe to open a nature park in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone — this made it possible to protect unique ecosystems that independently recovered after the evacuation of people.
The oldest nature reserve in Ukraine is Askania-Nova, founded in 1898. This is the first steppe reserve in the world, where plowing has never been carried out – thousands of hectares of pristine steppe have been preserved. 200 types of steppe grasses grow on its territory, as well as saigas, kulans, zebras, antelopes, and ostriches, which do not have fences. During the war, employees did not leave the territory even during the bombings, taking care of the animals.
Not only rare plants and animals are under protection in Ukraine, but also geological objects, such as stone pillars, canyons, rocks, caves and even craters of meteorite origin.
In the Carpathians, on the territory of several national parks, virgin primeval forests are preserved – such forest massifs where nature has never been affected by human intervention. They are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
During the war, many reserve workers remain on the ground, guarding the territories, caring for animals, saving collections of herbariums and zoological funds. In some cases, protected areas have been damaged by hostilities, landmines or fires.
The Tuzliv Estuaries National Nature Park in Odesa is the only place in Ukraine where pink pelicans nest every year. Their number in the Black Sea region depends on the level of water salinity, winds and poaching activity. In 2022, part of the nests were destroyed by a hurricane, and only two full-time workers guarded the colony.
The Chernobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve, created in 2016, operates in the exclusion zone. The largest population of lynx in Ukraine lives there, as well as wolves, moose, brown bears, bison, black storks, and eagles. In 2022, part of the territory of the reserve was captured by the Russian army. Workers hid archives and evacuated biological samples.
In the regional landscape park “Meotida” in Donetsk region (the territory is partially occupied) lived the only population of bottlenose dolphins (sea dolphins) in Ukraine, which entered the shallow waters of the Sea of Azov to give birth. After 2022, there are no data on their presence.
The Carpathian Biosphere Reserve covers more than 53,000 hectares The oldest primeval forests in Europe are preserved there, where 500-year-old beeches and spruces grow, which have never been cut down. These areas are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
There are only 11 full-time employees working in the Dnipro-Oryl Reserve. They protect the territory of more than 3 thousand. hectares of floodplain forest and wetlands, home to beavers, otters, gray herons, and white-tailed eagles. The reserve has no ongoing funding for fuel, although staff do patrol by boat.
The Synevyr National Nature Park operates a rehabilitation center for brown bears rescued from private zoos, circuses, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Bears arrive at the center with amputated paws, after torture or with signs of mental trauma.
Some Ukrainian nature reserves were created back in the days of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1919, for example, the Mishkovo-Pogoriliv steppe near Mykolaiv. It is a remnant of the Black Sea steppe that has not been plowed for centuries. During the years of independence, this reserve survived several attempts to destroy it due to land manipulations.
During the invasion of the Russian Federation, part of the environmentalists found themselves in the temporarily occupied territories. Employees of the “Svyati Gora” NPP took away documentation on boats, saved herbariums, and deliberately flooded part of the forest to prevent the movement of machinery. Their names are not being published for security reasons.
In 2023, the return of the black stork, a bird that disappeared from this area more than 40 years ago, was recorded on the territory of the Dniprovsko-Teterivskyi reserve, which borders Kyiv region and Chernobyl. This happened thanks to the reduction of human pressure and preservation of wet forests.
International Day of Peace and Love
This holiday has an unofficial status and arose as part of a global movement for nonviolence, empathy and human unity. Its initiators are considered to be the participants of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s, in particular those who were inspired by the ideas of pacifism, hippie philosophy, and the spiritual renewal of the world. The date is dedicated to the birthday of George Harrison, the guitarist of The Beatles, an active humanitarian.
The main idea of the day is to symbolically spread the energy of inner peace, compassion, mutual understanding and kindness. Despite its unofficial nature, the holiday is celebrated in many countries through flash mobs, joint meditations, concerts, peace marches, social media initiatives and charity events.
Interesting facts
For the first time, July 7 as the Day of Peace and Love was massively celebrated in 2001 in London, where a large-scale silent action took place in Hyde Park – the participants gathered silently, without slogans and politics.
The founder of the first wave of Global Peace and Love Day is considered to be the American producer and musician Wayne Hendrix, who collaborated with movements related to spiritual renewal and anti-war messages in art.
July 7 is the birthday of George Harrison (1943), who promoted ideas of nonviolence, vegetarianism, meditation and world solidarity. His charity concert in 1971 in New York in support of Bangladesh was the first mega-concert of its kind in history.
In some Eastern countries, in particular Japan, this day is sometimes combined with the traditional Tanabata holiday, the holiday of the meeting of two stars, which symbolizes love, hope and unity, although historically these events are not connected.
In the USA, this day is also celebrated as “Global Forgiveness Day” — the Day of Global Forgiveness, which has gained popularity among volunteer and spiritual organizations.
World Forgiveness Day
This is an unofficial, but symbolically important date, designed to remind of the power of forgiveness in personal, social and international dimensions. The holiday is not established by official international organizations such as the United Nations, but has widespread support among psychological communities, religious movements, non-governmental organizations and media around the world.
The main idea of this day is not only a call to forgive others, but also to learn to forgive yourself. It is acts of forgiveness—deep, difficult, yet liberating—that are often key to overcoming personal trauma, reconciling after conflict, and rebuilding relationships.
Interesting facts
The idea of World Forgiveness Day was first formulated in the USA in 1994 by the organization CECA (Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors) as part of a program for emotional healing in communities after crises.
In some countries, the day of forgiveness is combined with spiritual or religious traditions. For example, in South Africa it is celebrated in the format of mass reconciliations, as part of the “Days of Forgiveness and Unity”, initiated after the end of apartheid.
In 2012, the American charitable initiative “Forgive for Peace” organized the first world video marathon: people from 32 countries recorded short videos asking for forgiveness from family, friends, ex-partners, teachers or even strangers.
Psychologists emphasize that sincere forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. It is an inner decision that allows you to get rid of the past’s control over the present. That is why this day is actively supported by psychotherapists who work with trauma.
In 2021, the meditation app Calm introduced a special program, “The Power of Forgiveness”, timed specifically for July 7, which became one of the most popular among users with post-traumatic experiences.
In 2017, the Ukrainian project “Forgive” held an online flash mob #вмийпробачити, in which writers, journalists, military personnel and volunteers took part. Videos with stories about forgiveness have collected more than 4 million views.
Over time, the ideas of the World Day of Forgiveness were integrated into the work of truth and reconciliation commissions in a number of countries, in particular in Chile, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, where after wars and genocide, society was looking for tools for non-violent restoration of trust.
World Chocolate Day
This date is considered the conditional anniversary of the appearance of chocolate in Europe – it was in July 1550 that the first cocoa beans were allegedly brought from America to Spain. The holiday does not have an official status, but it has become popular in the world as a day when you can enjoy chocolate in all its forms without remorse: tiles, drinks, creams, desserts.
On this day, bakeries, confectioneries, coffee shops, brands, and chocolatiers offer special promotions, tastings, and new types of products. There is a growing wave of chocolate-themed content on social media, with recipes, stories, photos, and even artwork. In many countries, the day is combined with gastronomic festivals.
Interesting facts
The term “chocolate” comes from the Aztec language: the word xocolatl literally means “bitter water”. At first, cocoa was not consumed in a sweet form, but as a spicy, foamy drink with pepper and cornmeal, which warriors drank before battles.
At first, Europeans did not accept chocolate because its taste was foreign. Only after the addition of sugar and vanilla in the 17th century, the drink became fashionable at the courts of France and Italy.
In France, chocolate was so popular among the aristocracy that Louis XIV established the court position of “Royal Chocolatier,” an official responsible for making chocolate drinks.
Milk chocolate was first invented in Switzerland in 1875 by combining cocoa with condensed milk, which was created by Nestlé. Before that, chocolate remained purely bitter or dark.
White chocolate does not contain cocoa powder, only cocoa butter. Therefore, it is not considered “real” chocolate from the point of view of purists.
Cocoa beans were a currency in the Mayan and Aztec empires. For example, for 100 beans you could buy a slave, and for 10 – a rabbit or a night with a prostitute.
Chocolate was included in the diet of soldiers during the First and Second World Wars. In the USA, army chocolates were packed in special foil that did not melt, and enriched with vitamins.
Dark chocolate contains magnesium, iron, antioxidants and theobromine, a natural stimulant similar to caffeine but milder in action. It is he who has a light mood-improving effect.
Chocolate is one of the most dangerous substances for dogs. Because of theobromine, which animals cannot excrete, even a small amount of chocolate can cause intoxication.
In Italy, there is a church where chocolate wafers are given instead of communion – this is an art installation called Chiesa del Cioccolato, created for the gastronomic festival in Perugia.
In the Belgian city of Bruges, there is a university of chocolate – Choco-Story, which teaches the history, chemistry, technique and cultural significance of chocolate. There are more than 400 artifacts from different eras related to cocoa.
Historical events on this day
1438 – King Charles VII of France issued the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, which significantly limited the influence of the Pope on the French church and confirmed the supremacy of state power over spiritual power. This document became a key step in the formation of Gallicanism, a special model of relations between the French monarchy and the Catholic Church.
1572 – After the death of Sigismund II Augustus, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the male line of the Jagiellonian dynasty, which ruled for more than 180 years, ended. This marked the beginning of the period of anarchy and elective monarchy in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
1659 – A remarkable battle took place near Konotop, in which the Ukrainian army under the command of Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi, together with their allies – Poles and Crimean Tatars – defeated the army of the Muscovite Empire. This victory was of strategic importance in the context of the struggle for the autonomy of the Hetmanate.
1709 – During a military sortie near Poltava, the Swedish king Karl XII was wounded in the leg. This incident became part of the events of the Battle of Poltava, which ended with the defeat of the Swedes and significantly changed the course of the Great Northern War.
1881 – The fairy tale about Pinocchio was published for the first time. It was published by the Italian “Journal for children” (Giornale per i bambini), and over time the story of a wooden boy who dreams of becoming real has become a classic of children’s literature.
1915 – An Armenian pogrom began in the city of Trabzon (Ottoman Empire). It was one of the many acts of violence within the Armenian Genocide organized by the Turkish authorities during the First World War.
1923 – The Ukrainian Pedagogical Institute named after M. was opened in the capital of Czechoslovakia. Drahomanova. The institution became one of the centers of Ukrainian education in emigration and played a role
1940 – The Literary and Memorial Museum of Ivan Franko was opened in Lviv. The museum was created in the house where the writer spent the last years of his life, and since then it has become an important cultural center.
1954 – Elvis Presley first sounded on the radio: his song That’s All Right (Mama) was broadcast by a Memphis VHF station. This broadcast is considered a symbolic start of his musical career.
1967 – The Beatles presented the hit All You Need Is Love, which was first heard during the broadcast on the first satellite television program Our World. The song instantly became the anthem of the anti-war movement of the 1960s.
1977 – The US conducted the first test of a neutron bomb, a type of weapon that affects only human life, leaving infrastructure largely intact. This has sparked global ethical debates about this type of weaponry.
1978 – The Solomon Islands, formerly a British colony, declared independence. Since then, the country has been part of the British Commonwealth, and the head of state is the King of Great Britain.
1987 – The trial of the three heads of the nuclear plant has begun in Chernobyl. They were accused of negligence, which led to the explosion of the reactor in 1986. The process took place in the city of Pripyat behind closed doors.
1989 – The first issue of a newspaper in the Crimean Tatar language was published in Simferopol — a landmark event for the revival of the national identity of the Crimean Tatars after decades of deportation and bans.
1990 – Three great tenors — Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and Jose Carreras — performed together for the first time in Rome. The concert took place at the opening of the FIFA World Cup and became the most popular classical music recording in history.
2005 – A series of terrorist attacks took place in London: four bombs exploded in the subway and buses. 52 people died, more than 700 were injured. It was the largest attack on Britain since World War II.
2006 – Syd Barrett died – the founder of the band Pink Floyd, a cult musician and guitarist who left the stage early due to mental illness, but left a significant mark in the history of psychedelic rock.
2009 – Michael Jackson’s funeral took place in Los Angeles. The ceremony took place in the Staples Center concert hall and was broadcast live around the world.
2018 Levko Lukyanenko, a former political prisoner, co-founder of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union, author of the text of the Act of Independence of Ukraine, the first ambassador to Canada, died at the age of 90.
Notional birthday of John G. Watson and the date of death of Arthur Conan Doyle
On July 7, 1852, according to the calculations of fans of Arthur Conan Doyle, one of the most famous literary characters was born – Dr. John G. Watson, a faithful friend, assistant and biographer of Sherlock Holmes. It is Watson, not Holmes, who is the narrator of most of the stories and the one who revealed to the world the unique figure of the great detective.
Although the exact date of Watson’s birth is not mentioned in the works, it was calculated according to the chronology: he received his M.D. in 1878, so his approximate date of birth is 1852. In the story “The Mystery of the Tor Bridge”, his full name is written on his bag – John H. Watson, a doctor, is a former military doctor in the Indian Army. At the same time, in another story – “The Man with a Split Lip” – his wife calls him James, which has sparked debate among fans and literary critics.
Watson’s prototype is often considered to be Arthur Conan Doyle himself, who was a doctor by profession. However, in his memoirs, Doyle denied this version and noted that the image of Watson was created on the basis of his secretary, Major Wood, who worked with the writer for more than 40 years.
The writings state that Watson graduated from the University of London, received a doctorate in medicine, served as an army doctor in India and Afghanistan, where he was wounded in battle and suffered a severe attack of typhus. After returning to London, he met Holmes and settled with him in Baker Street, becoming not only a roommate, but also the main chronicler of his adventures. In 1888, Watson married Mary Morsten, but she later died. Later, the doctor marries a second time, but the name of his second wife is not mentioned.
Watson is older than Holmes by about two years: according to the canon, Sherlock was born in 1854. Watson survived both world wars, although in the later works of Conan Doyle there are few references to his future fate. The life of this character in the imaginary world continued in parallel with the historical events of the 20th century, and it was through him that the reader gained access to riddles, deductions and criminal puzzles.
On July 7, 1930 – exactly on the day of Watson’s conditional birth – his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, also passed away. Thus, this date was forever associated with the image of Watson – the man who told the world about Sherlock Holmes.
Adoption of the Official Languages Act by the Parliament of Canada
On July 7, 1969, the Canadian Parliament passed the Official Languages Act, which legally established the status of English and French as official languages within the federation. This meant that all laws at the federal level had to be passed in both English and French, and that all government services and communications had to be available to citizens in both languages.
At that time, English was the mother tongue of 67.1% of Canadians, while French was used at home by 21.5% of the population. The rest spoke other languages, including Inuit, German, Italian, Ukrainian, Chinese dialects, etc.
According to statistics, over 98% of Canadians speak only one language at home, and only about 2% speak two or more. The 1969 act became a key stage in the development of bilingualism as an element of national identity, especially against the background of strained relations between the English-speaking majority and the French-speaking minority, primarily in the province of Quebec.
Creation of the Office for ensuring the return of assets obtained through criminal means
On July 7, 2015, the Minister of Internal Affairs solemnly announced the creation by order of the Ministry of a new unit — the Department for Ensuring the Return of Criminally Obtained Assets. The minister himself called it “a technical structure, but extremely important.”
Already from the first days, the leadership of the department was given billion-dollar tasks – it was about the cases of Kurchenko, Firtash, Zlochevskyi. Olena Tyshchenko was appointed head of the newly created department. The minister described her as a “bright, extraordinary personality – proportional to the scale of the tasks. There are only a few such specialists.” And added: “Are you blaming the law enforcement agencies for not being able to return the assets that were illegally withdrawn? This is exactly what we do. Offshore schemes built over years are a mess. Specialists who can untangle such schemes are few. And today we cannot do without such specialists.”
However, on September 16, 2015, Olena Tyshchenko was dismissed from the internal affairs bodies. The day before, on September 15, 2015, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the opening of criminal proceedings against her under Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — “Official forgery.”