June 9 marks International Archives Day, World Accreditation Day, International Celtic Art Day and International Friends Day. Throughout history, many events took place on June 9, which were important not only for individual countries, but also for entire eras.
International Archives Day: When memory becomes an event
This holiday is designed to honor the work of those who preserve the collective memory of humanity. This day unites archivists of different countries, specialists, researchers, as well as everyone who appreciates documentary heritage. On this day, archives open their doors to the public, organize exhibitions, tours, public lectures, online events, share the most interesting finds and introduce the peculiarities of their profession.
The holiday is timed to the date of creation of the International Council on Archives (ICA), which emerged on June 9, 1948 in Paris under the auspices of UNESCO during a three-day gathering of archivists from around the world. It was then that the need to coordinate the work of archival institutions of different countries was recognized for the first time at the international level. The main goal of the ICA was to strengthen professional ties between archivists of all nations, as well as to promote the preservation, use and popularization of archival documents.
It was only in 2007, almost 60 years after the founding of the Council, that the ICA General Assembly in Quebec decided to start celebrating International Archives Day every year on June 9. The idea was not only to symbolically return to the beginning of the organization’s activities, but also to create a global platform for promoting the role of archives in the modern world.
In the age of information overload and fast-moving news, archives appear as guarantors of authenticity. They are reliable repositories of evidence and testimony that have legal force, historical significance and cultural value. They are needed to establish property rights, restore justice, document conflicts, research genocides, and recreate destroyed narratives.
For Ukraine, this role is particularly noticeable. During the war, Ukrainian archivists participate in the preservation of documents from the occupied territories, digitize funds, save evidence of crimes, record facts of violence and repression. Archives are turning into unique outposts of documentary security. It is also an important resource for investigative, journalism, analytics, family history, and generational memory.
Interesting facts
The International Council of Archives (ICA) is the only global organization representing the interests of archives worldwide. It has over 190 national and professional members.
International Archives Week is held annually within the framework of the ICA, where one of the key topics is digital transformation and open access.
Archives are not only historical documents. These include photos, videos, maps, correspondence, technical documentation, audio recordings, digital media, social media archives, and even emojis as evidence of time.
Many archives, including Ukrainian ones, contain materials used as evidence in cases of repression, deportation, human rights violations, violence, and war crimes.
In the 20th century, one of the most famous destructions of the archive was the burning of the state archive in Sarajevo in 1992 – more than 90% of the history of Bosnia was lost. Since then, archives in the conflict zone have been considered a strategic object for preservation.
The Vatican archive contains more than 80 km of racks with documents, access to most of which was opened only in the 21st century.
Ukraine has recognized archives as part of information and cultural security. After 2014, a large-scale process of opening the KGB archives began, which significantly changed public history.
World Accreditation Day
This holiday has profound implications for the global economy, security and trust between consumers, producers, governments and markets. On this day, attention is focused on the role of accreditation — independent confirmation of the competence of institutions that conduct testing, certification, inspection or calibration.
World Accreditation Day was founded in 2007 by two global organizations — the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). The date of June 9 was chosen as the day of joint promotion of the idea of trust, transparency and international mutual recognition of evaluation results
Most often, we come across the results of accreditation without even suspecting it. Laboratory tests in medical institutions, certification of food products, technical passports of cars, energy efficiency of buildings, sanitary and hygienic inspections of enterprises — all this relies on institutions that have passed accreditation. And this means that their competence, objectivity and technical ability have been independently verified according to international standards.
In Ukraine, the issue of accreditation is regulated by the law “On Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies”. The central institution that carries out accreditation at the national level is the National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine (NAAU), which is a full member of IAF and ILAC. This allows Ukrainian certificates and test reports to be recognized in more than 100 countries.
With the beginning of a full-scale war, the relevance of accreditation only increased. It is not only a matter of quality control of goods that are delivered with humanitarian aid or exported to the EU, but also of confirmation of the technical compliance of military products, the safety of construction or the functioning of critical infrastructure.
Interesting facts
Accreditation differs from certification: the former confirms ability evaluate, the second is compliance with certain requirements. Bodies are accredited, not products.
There is a concept of “accreditation of accreditation bodies” – these are the so-called “meta-levels” of control that ensure global trust.
Most of the standards used for accreditation (eg ISO/IEC 17025) are developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
In some countries (e.g. the Netherlands, Canada) the results of non-accredited laboratories have no legal force in court or in contracts.
Accreditation is a necessary condition for access to international tenders, participation in EU, World Bank projects and global medical procurement.
In the field of medical laboratories, accreditation guarantees not only the accuracy of analyses, but also compliance with ethical standards, documentation and protection of personal data.
International Day of Celtic Art
This day is celebrated every year as a symbol of commitment to a living tradition that reaches back to the depths of the Iron Age and continues to inspire artists, jewelers, sculptors and designers in the 21st century. It is designed to draw attention to the unique style formed in pre-Christian Europe — in the territories of modern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Gaul, parts of Iberia and even Central Europe. A style that combined ornamentation, symmetry, religious ideas, and craftsmanship in metal, bone, stone, and wood.
In the 20th century, interest in Celtic art exploded with a new wave thanks to the Celtic Renaissance in Ireland, neo-Celtic movements and the global popularity of Celtic knots, motifs, as well as the influence of music, fantasy and cultural festivals. It was this interest that prompted the establishment of a special day dedicated not only to the preservation of ancient samples, but also to the support of modern artists who create in this style.
Celtic art is a whole world of images and techniques: nodal ornaments, spirals, zoomorphic compositions, interweaving, symbols of the circle and infinity. All this had a philosophical meaning and had a religious, ritual, mythological meaning.
The most famous examples are the Book of Kells (Ireland, 9th century), Torques from Lavaux (France, 2nd century BC), Celtic crosses, jewels of the Hallstatt and Laten period. But art did not disappear with the change of eras. In the 21st century, it has revived again in the studios of artisans and schools of calligraphy, in the field of graphic design and illustration, as well as in popular culture.
Interesting facts
In ancient times, it was believed that a continuous line symbolizes eternal life, and its interweaving – the complexity of fate, the unity of the earthly and other worlds.
The style known as “Insular Art” combines Celtic, Anglo-Saxon and Christian motifs. It flourished in the 7th–9th centuries, when the most luxurious manuscripts were created.
Celtic crosses, in addition to the Christian content, carry pre-Christian elements – a circle that symbolized the sun, time or cosmic order.
Modern designers, in particular in tattoo art, actively use knot motifs, changing their structure or adding 3D effects, while preserving the philosophical content.
In Canada, there is the International Celtic Art Guild, which holds competitions, publishes catalogs and popularizes the style in North America.
Celtic motifs were popular during the Art Nouveau period: in particular, in the works of Scottish designers such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Celtic geometry regained architectural and domestic resonance.
In Ukraine, artifacts of the Celtic presence were found in the west of the country – in the Transcarpathian region. They are associated with the migrations of the Latin culture in the II-I centuries BC.
International Day of Friends
This is an unofficial, but sincerely loved holiday by many. Despite the fact that it is not fixed at the level of international organizations, the day of friends has gained popularity in different countries of the world as an opportunity to remind about the value of friendship – that simple but vital form of human relations that helps us experience joys and difficulties, overcome loneliness and maintain emotional balance.
This holiday has no clear official history or authorship, but its purpose is clear: to encourage people to say “thank you” to those who were close to them – in school years, in student kitchens, on long trips, during life crises or ordinary everyday life. On this day, friends are greeted with postcards, messages, shared photos, words of support or a simple invitation for coffee. Memories of the best moments with friends are published on social networks, and in some countries even themed parties are organized.
There are no contracts in friendship, but there is trust. This is one of the few types of relationships that are not based on obligation, but on choice. Sociologists and psychologists have long emphasized that having close friends significantly reduces stress levels, reduces the risk of depression, extends life expectancy, and promotes empathy and social stability.
In the 21st century, friendship takes on new forms – it can exist at a distance, online, in chats and video calls, but its essence remains unchanged: support, acceptance, laughter, deep conversations and the ability to be there not only in good times.
Interesting facts about friendship
According to research from Harvard University, the longest-lasting relationships that contribute to happiness in life are friendships, not romantic ones.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle divided friendship into three types: utilitarian (useful), pleasant (based on pleasure), and ideal — deep, honest friendship between equals.
Friendship between men and women has long been considered impossible or atypical, but modern psychology recognizes that it is completely natural and even extremely valuable for the development of emotional maturity.
In Japan, it is believed that true friends are those who are silent with you when necessary. And in the Irish tradition there is a saying: “Poverty will show who is your friend.”
In Vietnam, there is a popular belief that friendship has magical power – in ancient times, friends pledged to protect each other even after death.
Historical events on this day
68 — The Roman emperor Nero committed suicide after losing the support of the army, the senate, and the people. His death marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and the Roman Empire entered a period of turmoil known as the “year of the four emperors”.
1534 — French navigator Jacques Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River in North America, becoming the first European to ascend to its upper reaches. This discovery gave rise to French colonial ambitions in Canada and became a pivotal moment in the history of the New World.
1822 — The first artificial jaw was patented in the USA. It became a revolutionary breakthrough in dentistry and gave impetus to the development of orthopedic medicine, a field that would later provide quality life for millions of people.
1934 — Walt Disney’s cartoon “The Wise Little Hen” appeared on the screens for the first time, in which the character Donald Duck made his debut. A duckling with an irrepressible character became one of the most famous animated images of the 20th century.
1935 — In the USSR, the death penalty was introduced for fleeing abroad. This decision became part of the repressive policy of the Stalinist regime, which tried to physically isolate Soviet citizens from the outside world.
1959 — In the USA, the world’s first submarine of the “George Washington” type, capable of carrying ballistic missiles, was launched. This step marked a new level of nuclear deterrence during the Cold War and ushered in the era of submarine nuclear forces.
1995 — In the Russian city of Sochi, the presidents of Ukraine and the Russian Federation signed an agreement on the division of the Black Sea Fleet. This was an attempt to settle one of the most acute issues after the collapse of the USSR and the establishment of Ukraine’s independence.
2019 — Extraordinary presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan, in which Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev won. He replaced Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had ruled the country for more than 30 years, ushering in a new political era that would later be accompanied by protests and gradual reforms.
The death of Nero is the last act of the imperial farce
On June 9 of the distant year 68, when the senate had already recognized him as an “enemy of the people”, the fifth Roman emperor Nero committed suicide. It was not a death that saddened anyone—neither the people, nor the senators, nor the army mourned him. In the memory of contemporaries, he remained a cruel, narcissistic and deeply corrupt ruler who brought the empire to the brink and became its disgrace.
His reign began as a hope: the young heir to the throne, the grandson of Germanicus, promises Rome a new era. But very quickly it became clear that a tyrant was hiding behind the Roman mask. First, he ordered to kill his own mother Agrippina, later his wife Octavia. In the year 64, when a great fire broke out in Rome, most contemporaries confidently asserted: the emperor himself ordered the city to be set on fire, seized with inspiration and the desire to build a new capital on the blaze. To divert suspicion, Nero began a large-scale repression against Christians, executing them in circuses, in arenas, and in the gardens of his palace.
His policy of confiscation, denunciation, and terror quickly alienated all sections of the population: senators, equestrians, urban plebeians, provincial aristocracy, and even the military. The Gallic rebellion, which broke out in 68, became a death sentence. When his own praetorians refused to protect him, and the senate declared him an enemy of the state, Nero fled from Rome to the seaport of Ostia, hoping there to find a remnant of loyal marines, or to escape with a fleet to the eastern provinces, where he might still count on support. But everything failed. It was abandoned, as one abandons a bankrupt idea.
The last hours of the emperor were spent in the hut of the freedman Phaon. Sitting on an old mattress, covered with a worn cloak, Nero gave orders: dig his grave, bring marble slabs, water and firewood. He cried, theatrically sobbed and repeated his famous phrase over and over again: “What a great artist dies!”
He held two daggers in his hands, tested their edge, but did not dare. Sometimes he threatened to poison himself, then he dreamed of throwing himself into the Tiber, then he begged to find someone who would stab him. He cursed his own weakness and procrastinated again: “I live shamefully, my face is not worthy of Nero! Not worthy! But you have to be smart at such a moment… be brave!”
And only when he heard the approach of the cavalry – horsemen rushing to capture him alive – did he gather his last strength. His faithful servant, according to one version, the secretary Epaphroditus, helped him stick the sword in his throat. The emperor died as he could not live – hastily, with a cry and without dignity. In his last moments, two nurses and his concubine Actaeus, who, in spite of everything, still loved him remained by his side. They secretly buried Nero in a luxurious shroud, embroidered with gold, in the ancestral tomb of the Domitians on the Garden Hill near the Field of Mars.
Nero’s death marked the end of the Julius-Claudian dynasty, one of the most influential imperial families in Roman history. Counting from 48 BC, when Julius Caesar defeated Pompey and opened the way to power, this dynasty ruled the empire for almost a century, giving it one dictator and five emperors. With the death of Nero, not only the family cycle ended, but also an entire era, which will forever remain an example of how art, luxury and narcissism can absorb the state and push it to the limit.
Great Britain leased Hong Kong from China for 99 years
On June 9, 1898, an event occurred that determined the fate of one of the most famous megacities in Asia: Great Britain received a 99-year lease of Hong Kong from China. At first glance, it is a diplomatic agreement, one of many during the period of imperial ambitions. But behind this dry formulation was hidden a complex history of addiction, war, drug trafficking, cultural conflict and the search for a compromise that changed the map of the East.
It all started with opium — not with religion, not with politics, not with geopolitical goals. China, even under the Qing Empire, banned the sale of opium, which was traded en masse by British companies, devastating the health and well-being of the population. When the Celestial Empire tried to put an end to this, Great Britain responded with armed force. This is how two opium wars broke out, and precisely as a result of one of them – the Second – the British received not only individual territories, but also a gradual lease of the entire area that we now call Hong Kong.
In 1898, when more than half a century had passed since the beginning of this story, it became clear: Hong Kong was not in danger of breaking away from China, but full integration into the British Empire did not seem realistic either. The territory was too closely connected to supplies from the mainland, and the majority of the population did not seek independence from China, but instead saw the real benefit of cooperation with London. This is how a compromise emerged: a 99-year lease, which was supposed to be a temporary form of coexistence of the two systems.
This political hybrid gave birth to a city of exceptional nature. Hong Kong became a place where the British legal system coexisted with Chinese tradition, where capitalism grew alongside Confucian culture, where English sounded as naturally as Cantonese.
Today, Hong Kong is not only an economic miracle, but a whole civilizational phenomenon. The city has no value added tax, so entrepreneurs feel freer than in most other economies. Despite the status of a metropolis, more than 70% of the territory is covered with forests. It has two official languages, Chinese and English, which is a reflection of its colonial past. The name of Hong Kong translates as “fragrant harbor” – a poetic metaphor that perfectly matches its landscape: bays, slopes, dense green mountains and dozens of skyscrapers arching towards the sky.
Hong Kong does not have any natural resources. Everything that exists is created by human hands, intelligence and calculation. More than 7 million people live here, and half a million of them are millionaires. Here are the most expensive toilets in the world, including the gilded toilet, which has long become a local legend. And, importantly, Hong Kong is considered one of the most dangerous for the mafia, but one of the most reliable cities for business on the planet.
The lease expired in 1997. The question of the fate of Hong Kong has gained global resonance. Beijing and London decided to transfer the territory under the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China, but on the condition of maintaining autonomy. This is how the formula “One country – two systems” appeared. According to the Basic Law and the bilateral declaration, Hong Kong was granted the right for 50 years to maintain its own laws, police, currency, customs and immigration policies, and to participate in international activities. The central government of the People’s Republic of China assumed exclusively the functions of foreign policy and defense. This model allowed the city to maintain freedom of action and at the same time remain part of China.
However, there is another dimension to Hong Kong that is not mentioned in the tourist brochures. This is the shadowy reality of “triads” – secret societies that have turned into powerful criminal syndicates over time. Their history began as a religious-patriotic movement, but transformed into a criminal empire. Today, they are involved in everything from drug and arms trafficking to gambling, smuggling, human trafficking, pimping, kidnapping, money laundering, financial scams and even sea piracy. Traditionally, triads live by their own code: strict discipline, conspiracy, ruthlessness towards enemies. A Chinese proverb says: “Government rests on the law, and the people rest on the huidans” – secret brotherhoods that are still feared and respected by part of the population.
And today, as more than a century ago, Hong Kong remains on the border: between East and West, between law and influence, between the neon of banking centers and the shadow of triadic roots. It all started on June 9 — with a lease document that became the prologue to one of the most amazing stories in the world.
