On July 8, the International Day of City Bell Ringers, World Information Disclosure Day, and World Food Allergy Day are celebrated.
International Day of City Bell Ringers
The second Monday in July is dedicated to honoring the historic role of town heralds, or bell ringers, in communities around the world. This event is designed to pay tribute to this long-standing profession that many may not be familiar with. Heralds, or bell ringers, were officials at the royal court or government. Their main task was to announce official statements and messages on the streets, attracting the attention of the public.
Interesting facts about the profession of city bell ringers:
Town bell ringers were important figures in medieval towns. They served as official announcers of news, laws and decrees. Their voices echoed in the streets, gathering people to listen to important messages.
The bells used by heralds had a symbolic meaning. They were not only a means of attracting attention, but also a symbol of power and authority. The ringing of the herald was a sign that the news or announcement was of an official nature.
Heralds usually wore special clothes that emphasized their status. These were bright costumes with coats of arms of cities or royal symbols. They also wore tall hats and large cloaks.
Although the herald profession was widespread in medieval Europe, its analogues existed in other cultures as well. For example, in Japan, the role of the announcer was performed by “ringers” who used drums or gongs.
In some cities around the world, the tradition of city bell ringers has survived to this day. They perform at various festive events, historical reenactments and festivals, preserving the historical heritage. For example, in the British city of Lewes, a festive ceremony is held every year, during which the town bell ringer announces the beginning of the fair, which has existed since medieval times.
Thanks to the activities of heralds, expressions related to announcements appeared in many languages. For example, the English expression “to ring a bell” means to remind about something familiar.
With the advent of printing and, later, mass media, the role of heralds was greatly reduced. However, in some communities they continue to perform ceremonial functions, reminding of historical times.
In many countries, there are museums dedicated to the history of city bell ringers and their activities. They preserve ancient bells, costumes and documents that tell about this important profession.
World Disclosure Day
This holiday, also known as World Disclosure Day, is dedicated to supporting the official recognition by governments around the world of the existence of an extraterrestrial presence affecting humanity. The event is part of a growing international truth movement. The movement seeks to shed light on numerous issues that remain hidden behind a veil of secrecy. The main purpose of this day is to give people and organizations an opportunity to unite, express their right to know the truth and demand from governments disclosure of information about extraterrestrial contacts.
World Food Allergy Day
World Food Allergy Day is celebrated annually on July 8. This day is designed to draw attention to the problem of food allergy, its prevention and treatment. Every year, the number of people suffering from food allergies is increasing, so it is important to emphasize the need for correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Body art day
Body art is the art of painting a naked or almost naked human body. The founder and popularizer of this holiday is the artist from New York Andy Holub. Body Painting Day is a celebration of self-expression and art, which is designed to make the world a better place, giving people positive emotions and benefits. Artists can showcase their creativity, models can realize the beauty of their bodies, and viewers can enjoy the art.
Historical events of this day:
- 52 BC — the date of the foundation of the city of Paris, which became one of the most famous capitals of the world, is accepted.
- 1497 — the first sea expedition to India headed by Vasco da Gama set off from Lisbon, which opened new trade routes.
- 1573 — The Edict of Boulogne put an end to the four-year war between French Catholics and Huguenots, laying the foundation for peace.
- 1654 — the first Jew, Yakov Barsimson, arrived in America, which became an important stage in the history of the Jewish diaspora.
- 1796 — the first passport of a US citizen was issued, which was an important step in the development of citizenship.
- 1913 — the elections to the Galician Regional Diet ended, as a result of which the number of Ukrainian deputies increased from 16 to 31, which strengthened the political influence of Ukrainians.
- 1918 — the State Senate of the Ukrainian State was created, which became an important step in the development of the judicial system of Ukraine.
- 1920 — the British colony of East Africa was renamed Kenya as part of the process of colonial change.
- 2014 — the German national team won a sensational 7-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, setting many records.
- 2022 — former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed during an election speech in Japan, which was a great shock for the country.
Other notable events:
- 1709 — the Battle of Poltava took place, which became the general battle of the Northern War between the Russian troops under the command of Peter I and the Swedish army of Charles XII. The Russian army adopted new tactical approaches, using field earthen fortifications and mobile horse artillery, which allowed them to win.
- 1889 — the last boxing match without gloves for the world heavyweight title between Jake Kilrane and John Sullivan took place in the United States. The fight lasted 2 hours 16 minutes and 5 seconds, covering 75 rounds. This match became the first boxing competition, about which a detailed photo report was made. The prize pool was $20,000. At the end of the fight, Kilrane was seriously injured and could not continue the fight. After the fight, both the winner and the loser were taken to court and fined, as boxing without gloves had already been outlawed.
A memorial has now been erected at the site of this battle, and the road leading to it is called Sullivan-Kilrain Road. The first officially described boxing match was recorded in the January issue of the “Protestant Mercury” newspaper in 1681, where the servants of the Duke of Albemarle competed with each other. Later, bare-knuckle fights became part of circus performances, where strongmen also competed with swords and sticks. In 1743, fighter and circus owner Jack Braunton created his rule book, which organized the rules of English prize boxing. He also invented the first boxing gloves, which were used during training to protect the fighters’ faces. The longest recorded fight lasted 6 hours and 15 minutes and took place between James Kelly and Jonathan Smith in 1855. The shortest fight lasted only 30 seconds and took place in 1886 in America.
