March 12 marks World Cyber Censorship Day, World Glaucoma Day, Home Office Organization Day, Sun-Earth Day, and Aztec New Year. This day went down in history thanks to many important events that left a significant mark in the development of mankind. It covers the significant political, religious, scientific and cultural shifts that have shaped civilization in different eras.
World Day Against Cyber Censorship
This important holiday was started in 2008 at the initiative of Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders. The main goal of this day is to draw attention to the problem of restricting freedom of speech on the Internet, protecting users’ rights to free access to information, and fighting government or private attempts to control or limit the free distribution of data on the Internet.
Cyber censorship is a serious threat to democracy, as it limits people’s right to receive objective information and express their own opinion. In many countries around the world, access to certain resources is blocked, filtered or controlled. At the same time, the free Internet is the basis of modern communication, knowledge exchange and public debate. That is why the issue of combating cyber censorship remains relevant and requires constant attention from the international community.
Interesting facts
In 2023, Reporters Without Borders reported that more than 70 countries used Internet censorship tools to limit access to information.
About 46% of the world’s population lives in countries where the Internet is not free.
Some countries use so-called “deep packet inspection” to track and block unwanted content on the network.
World Glaucoma Day
This important international holiday was started in 2008 on the initiative of the World Association of Patients and the World Organization of Glaucoma Societies. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the problem of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in the world, and to raise awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection of this disease.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve, usually due to increased intraocular pressure. This disease can be asymptomatic in the early stages, so regular examinations are key to preserving vision.
Interesting facts
According to WHO, more than 76 million people in the world suffer from glaucoma.
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of vision” because the disease develops gradually and painlessly.
The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age, as well as among people with a family history of the disease.
Regular measurement of intraocular pressure and examination of the optic nerve helps to detect glaucoma in time and prevent vision loss.
Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease and save vision.
Home office organization day
This holiday has become especially relevant in modern conditions, when remote work and flexible schedules have become part of the daily life of many people around the world.
The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the importance of organizing a comfortable, productive and safe work space at home. Work efficiency, level of concentration and even physical health depend on how well-equipped the home office is. An ergonomic workplace, sufficient lighting, proper organization of documents and technical equipment help reduce stress and increase productivity.
Interesting facts
According to research, workers who have a convenient workplace at home are 25% more productive than those who work in a disorganized environment.
The main elements of a comfortable office are a comfortable chair, a table at the right height, good lighting and an organized place for storing documents.
Using plants in your workspace can improve air quality and reduce stress levels.
It is important to pay attention to the correct mode of work, making regular breaks for rest and warm-up.
Sun-Earth Day
This is a global event dedicated to the study and awareness of the complex relationship between the Sun and the Earth. This holiday aims to draw attention to the importance of the Sun in our daily lives, because it is the source of energy that supports the existence of life on the planet.
The sun affects the Earth in many aspects — from providing heat and light to creating conditions for the development of the climate and the formation of weather phenomena. Solar activity also affects the magnetosphere, communication technologies, energy systems and even human health.
Interesting facts
The sun provides the Earth with energy comparable to the explosion of billions of nuclear bombs every second.
Solar activity, such as flares and coronal mass ejections, can cause magnetic storms that affect satellite systems and power grids.
Auroras, which can be observed at northern and southern latitudes, arise due to the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetosphere.
The Sun has a life cycle, and it is now in the middle stage of its evolution, providing a stable source of energy for life on Earth.
Aztec New Year
Every year on March 12 at dawn according to the Aztec calendar, the Aztec New Year is celebrated. This is a special holiday that has deep historical and cultural significance for the descendants of the Aztec civilization and anyone interested in the ancient traditions of Mesoamerica.
The Aztecs used a solar calendar consisting of 18 months of 20 days each, plus 5 extra days that were considered dangerous or unlucky. The New Year symbolized the beginning of a new cycle of life, renewal of nature and spiritual purification.
The celebration included purification rituals, thanksgiving to the gods for the harvest, and requests for blessings for the coming year. Fire ceremonies played a special role, because fire symbolized life and rebirth for the Aztecs. There were also dances, chants and various ritual rites, which were supposed to ensure well-being and harmony.
Interesting facts
The Aztecs believed that each year had its patron god, on whom the fate of people depended.
One of the main elements of the celebration was extinguishing all the lights and lighting a new fire, which symbolized the beginning of a new cycle.
The holiday was accompanied by the decoration of temples and houses with symbols of fertility and wealth.
Cleansing the body and spirit was considered an important part of preparing for the new year, so people took special ritual baths.
Historical events on this day
1169 – Kyiv was destroyed. The city was captured and plundered by a coalition of 11 princes, which became one of the key moments in the history of Kyivan Rus. This led to a significant weakening of Kyiv as a political and cultural center.
1229 – the 6th Crusade ended. As a result of the peace treaty between the Sultan of Egypt al-Kamil and the Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich II Hohenstaufen, the Crusaders gained control of Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem in exchange for a promise of peace.
1241 – Mongolian troops under the leadership of Khan Subedey stormed the Veretsky Pass in the Carpathians, which opened the way for them to the west of Europe.
1365 – Duke Rudolph IV founded the University of Vienna, one of the oldest educational institutions in Europe, which became a center of education and science.
1496 – the Jews were expelled from Syria — a tragic event that affected the history of the Jewish diaspora in the region.
1633 – the Polish king Wladyslaw IV approved Peter Mohyla as the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Russia, which became decisive for the development of Orthodox education and culture in Ukrainian lands.
1812 – a devastating earthquake occurred in Caracas, destroying the city and killing about 20,000 people.
1910 – the England football team won a historic victory over France with a score of 20:0, setting one of the records in international football.
1913 – Canberra officially became the capital of Australia, starting a new page in the history of this country.
1930 – Mahatma Gandhi launched the Salt March, an act of civil disobedience directed against British colonial policies in India.
1938 – Hitler’s troops crossed the German-Austrian border, announcing the Anschluss of Austria – one of the steps to the start of World War II.
1947 – US President Harry Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, which provided for aid to countries resisting the spread of communism.
1968 – Mauritius gained independence, becoming a sovereign state.
1989 – Tim Berners-Lee presented the project that later became the basis for the creation of the World Wide Web, changing the way of communication in the world.
1992 – Ukraine established diplomatic relations with Cuba, which was another step in the development of the country’s international cooperation.
1994 – the first 32 women were ordained priests in the Church of England, which was an important step towards gender equality in religious life.
1999 – The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary joined NATO, cementing their commitment to security and cooperation within the Euro-Atlantic community.
2000 – Pope John Paul II publicly apologized for the sins of the Catholic Church before humanity, acknowledging historical mistakes.
