On June 22, Ukraine and the world celebrate the Day of Mourning and Remembrance of War Victims. Today is also Chocolate Eclair Day, World Volkswagen Beetle Day and World Smurf Day.
The Day of Mourning and Remembrance of War Victims in Ukraine
Every year on June 22, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Sorrow and Remembrance of War Victims. On this day in 1941, a new phase of the Second World War began on the territory of the Soviet Union.
Ukraine suffered the greatest losses during the war years, not only among the Soviet republics, but also among all the countries participating in the hostilities. According to historians, the war took the lives of 5 million Ukrainian soldiers and 5 million civilians, and more than 2 million people were forced to work in Nazi Germany. Many people lost their homes, and entire towns and villages were destroyed.
In November 2000, the third President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, issued a Decree on the introduction of a national memorial day in honor of those who died in the devastating war that began on June 22, 1941 between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union and lasted for 4 years. On this day, all those who died as a result of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine are commemorated.
Chocolate Eclair Day
Every year on June 22, Chocolate Eclair Day is celebrated in honor of one of the most popular cakes in the world. Chocolate eclairs are made from custard dough filled with creamy custard and dipped in chocolate glaze.
World Volkswagen Beetle Day
On June 22, World Volkswagen Beetle Day is celebrated, dedicated to the iconic Volkswagen Beetle and its important role in the history of automobile manufacturing.
World Smurf Day
On June 25, 1928, the Belgian cartoonist Pierre Cullifort, known as Peyo, was born, the creator of small blue creatures – the Smurfs. Therefore, World Smurf Day is celebrated annually on the Saturday closest to June 25.
Also on this day:
1910 – The first air passenger line in Europe, Friedrichshafen-Dusseldorf, was opened, which was operated by the “Germany” airship;
1915 – Austro-German troops under the leadership of August von Mackensen liberated Lviv from Russian troops after 293 days of Russian occupation;
1940 – In Compiègne, France signed the capitulation to the Third Reich (in the same car where Germany signed the capitulation in 1918);
1944 – German aviation during a massive air raid destroyed 47 American planes at the air base in Poltava;
1973 – The GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany were simultaneously admitted to the UN;
1984 – In Kyiv, the Soviet high jumper Tamara Bykova set a world record – 2 m 5 cm.
