March 20 marks World Earth Day, International Astrology Day, International Day of Happiness, World Theater Day for Children and Youth, World Behavior Analysis Day, World Wildlife Restoration Day and World Storytelling Day. In addition, the events that happened on this day in different years had a significant impact on the course of world history.
World Earth Day
It is a symbolic celebration of human unity in caring for the planet we all call home. His idea arose in the middle of the 20th century against the background of growing awareness of environmental problems and the need to protect natural resources. Earth Day gained particular popularity in the 1970s, when the first environmental movements went beyond scientific circles and became part of public life.
It is interesting that the date of the celebration of Earth Day was chosen on the day of the vernal equinox. It is today that nature demonstrates a perfect balance: day and night last the same length almost all over the planet. This natural phenomenon has become a symbol of harmony between man and the environment, a reminder of how fragile the balance in the Earth’s ecosystem is.
Earth Day was celebrated for the first time in honor of the vernal equinox on March 21, 1971. This idea was supported by the United Nations, and UN Secretary-General U Tan even held a special ceremony at the organization’s headquarters. During the ceremony, the so-called “Peace Bell” was installed – a Japanese bronze bell cast from coins collected by children from more than 60 countries around the world. Since then, the bell has been rung every year on the vernal equinox as a call for peace and nature conservation.
Interesting facts
Earth is the only known planet on which life exists. The atmosphere, water, magnetic field and unique climatic conditions created ideal conditions for the emergence of biological diversity. It is the third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest in the Solar System. Its diameter is about 12,742 kilometers.
More than 70% of the planet’s surface is covered with water. That is why the Earth is often called the “blue planet”.
The Earth has a unique satellite – the Moon. It not only causes tides and tides, but also stabilizes the tilt of the Earth’s axis, thanks to which the seasons are possible on the planet.
The Earth’s crust is a thin shell with a thickness of 5 to 70 kilometers. Under it is a mantle and a hot core, which creates a magnetic field that protects the Earth from cosmic radiation.
Our planet rotates around its own axis at a speed of more than 1600 km/h at the equator, and at the same time moves around the Sun at a speed of about 30 km/s.
The deepest point on the planet is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, the depth of which reaches more than 11,000 meters.
The earth is constantly changing – continents move, mountains grow, glaciers melt. For example, the Atlantic Ocean expands by about 2-3 centimeters every year.
From space, you can see not only natural landforms, but also human intervention – for example, the Great Wall of China or artificial islands in Dubai.
And although the Earth seems big and strong, its ecosystem is extremely vulnerable to human activity – that’s why Earth Day is celebrated every year to remind about the need to save the planet.
International Day of Astrology
The holiday was started in the late 1990s by astrologers of the United States – the Association of Astrologers (AFAN) proposed to make it popular in the world to draw attention to astrology as an ancient science and art of interpreting the connection between heavenly bodies and human life.
The vernal equinox marks the beginning of a new astrological year, when the Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. On this day and night become equal, nature is renewed, and it is from this moment that astrologers begin a new annual cycle.
Interesting facts
Astrology is one of the oldest systems of human knowledge. The first astrological maps of the zodiac were created in Babylon more than 4 thousand years ago.
In the Middle Ages, astrology was studied in universities alongside mathematics and medicine, and horoscopes were compiled for kings, generals, and even entire countries before important battles.
Many outstanding scientists of the past, including Johann Kepler and Isaac Newton, were seriously interested in astrology and created their own horoscopes.
During the Renaissance, almost every European monarch had a personal astrologer. For example, the French king Henry II constantly consulted with the famous Nostradamus.
The oldest surviving horoscope was found on a clay tablet in Babylon. It dates back to 410 BC.
Astrology is not only about horoscopes in newspapers. This is a whole system of analysis that takes into account the exact position of the planets at the time of a person’s birth, their mutual aspects and influences on character and life path.
Modern astrology has dozens of directions: natal, mundane (about countries and events), medical, financial and even compatibility astrology – synastry.
International Day of Happiness
This holiday was introduced by the United Nations in 2012 to emphasize that the pursuit of happiness is one of the main goals of humanity.
The idea of creating a separate day dedicated to happiness arose from the initiative of the small mountain country of Bhutan. It was there in the 1970s that not only gross domestic product, but also gross national happiness began to be measured. For Bhutan, people’s well-being, harmony with nature, and spiritual development have become more important than economic indicators. It was this approach that inspired the world community to create the International Day of Happiness.
Interesting facts
Bhutan is still the only country in the world where national happiness is officially more important than GDP. Every year, the country’s government conducts special surveys to understand how happy its citizens are.
Every year, the UN publishes the World Happiness Index, which examines the level of happiness in more than 150 countries around the world. The highest level of happiness in the world is often recorded in countries with a high level of trust between people, well-being and the ability to influence one’s own life, and not only where the salary is high or the climate is good. Scandinavian countries — Finland, Denmark, Iceland — are traditionally recognized as the happiest.
Scientists have proven that the level of happiness depends not only on money or success, but also on simple things: communication with loved ones, gratitude, physical activity and even being in the sun.
Laughter really prolongs life: during laughter, endorphins are more actively produced in the body – the so-called hormones of happiness, which reduce stress and strengthen immunity.
In some countries, for example, in Japan, there are even special “happiness parks” and museums dedicated to studying and finding joy in simple things.
World Theater Day for Children and Youth
This holiday was started in 2001 by the international organization ASSITEJ (International Association of Theaters for Children and Youth), which unites professional theaters from all over the world. The purpose of this day is to remind society about the importance of theatrical art for the development of children and adolescents.
It is the theater from an early age that teaches a child to sympathize, understand emotions, and distinguish between good and evil. The live communication between the actor and the audience creates magic that no screen can provide. Therefore, this day is not just a formality — it once again emphasizes the role of culture and art in the education of future generations.
Interesting facts
The idea of the holiday arose at the ASSITEJ world congress in Sweden. Since then, on March 20, theaters in various countries have been holding special performances, master classes, and open rehearsals for children and youth.
Every year, the organizers announce an official international message to all theaters of the world — it is written by a famous playwright or director who works in a children’s theater. This address becomes the main theme of the celebration.
Children’s theater is considered one of the most difficult genres. It is impossible to deceive a young viewer – he immediately senses insincerity or falsity on stage. That is why actors of children’s theaters often have to be versatile — sing, dance, improvise and possess humor.
Puppet shows have a special place in the history of theater for children. This genre originated in antiquity, and the first professional puppet theaters appeared in Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century.
Many outstanding actors admitted that their love for the stage began precisely with the children’s theater – with the first role in a school play or with the impression of watching a fairy tale on stage.
In some countries on this day, children themselves become actors – take part in plays, read excerpts from plays or even stage small performances for adults.
World Behavior Analysis Day
This professional holiday was officially launched in 2021 to popularize the science of human and animal behavior, to remind about the importance of applied behavior analysis (ABA — Applied Behavior Analysis) in various areas of life.
The date was chosen in honor of the birth of B. F. Skinner is an American psychologist who became one of the founders of behavioral science. It was Skinner in the 20th century who formulated the principles of operant learning — the theory of how behavior changes under the influence of consequences (rewards or punishments).
Interesting facts
Today, applied behavioral analysis is actively used in work with children with autism, developmental disorders, to teach social skills, correct behavior and develop speech.
Behavioral analysis is used not only in medicine or psychology, but also in business, sports, advertising, and even in the development of computer games – wherever there is a need to understand and change human behavior.
It was thanks to Skinner’s work that mankind received such tools as the system of “tokens” in raising children or programmed learning, which formed the basis of modern online courses and simulators.
One of Skinner’s most interesting experiments is the “hungry pigeon” experiments, where the bird learned to press a lever to get food. This was a clear demonstration of how positive reinforcement shapes new behavior.
In the USA, there is a separate profession – Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). These specialists have the right to officially conduct therapy using the methods of behavioral analysis and take a certification exam.
Behavioral analysis is one of the few psychological sciences, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed by numerous scientific studies and practice.
World Wildlife Day
This young international environmental holiday was launched in 2021 at the initiative of the Global Rewilding Alliance — a community of conservation organizations working to bring wild ecosystems back to life.
Its goal is to draw humanity’s attention to the importance of the restoration of wild nature, that is, not just the preservation of the remnants of the natural environment, but the active return of natural territories, plants and animals, the restoration of natural processes that man has destroyed for centuries. This involves the return of animals that have disappeared from certain regions, the restoration of natural water bodies, steppes, forests, swamps, the return of large predators and herbivores that play a key role in the stability of ecosystems.
Interesting facts
The word itself rewilding means “return to the wild”. The term gained popularity in the 1990s among environmentalists and scientists, and has now become part of a global strategy to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
An example of successful rewilding is the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the USA. This not only saved the wolves themselves, but also restored the balance of the entire ecosystem: the behavior of deer changed, forests and rivers began to recover.
According to scientists, more than 75% of land on the planet has already been changed by man in one way or another. Wildlife restoration processes become a chance to stop soil degradation, desertification and the loss of entire species.
Rewilding is not always about bringing animals back. In many countries, this means the restoration of swamps, river floods, and natural pastures that have been used for agriculture for decades.
According to research, rewilding not only helps nature, but also benefits people: it improves water quality, prevents floods and reduces the effects of climate change.
There are already dozens of large rewilding projects in the world — from savannas in Africa to steppes in Europe. One of the largest projects operating in Romania is the project to return the bison to the Carpathians.
World Storytelling Day
This is a holiday for everyone who likes to tell and listen to stories. This is a unique day dedicated to the ancient art of oral storytelling, which was passed down from generation to generation long before writing, books or movies.
The holiday was born in Sweden in 1991 under the name “World Storytelling Day” and quickly spread around the world. The main idea of the holiday is to unite people of different cultures through living stories that are able to build bridges between generations, nations and even continents.
Interesting facts
Each year, the day has a common theme for storytellers around the world. For example, the themes of previous years were “Dreams”, “Travels”, “Loss and Recovery”, “Houses”. This allows you to tell completely different stories, united by a common idea.
Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of art. Archaeologists have found rock paintings that are more than 30,000 years old, which is also a way to convey history.
In many cultures there were professional storytellers: among the Celts – bards, in the Arab world – hakkavats, in Africa – hyots. They not only entertained, but also preserved the history and morals of the people.
Modern science confirms that the human brain remembers information better if it is presented in the form of a story. That is why storytelling is actively used in advertising, education, politics and even medicine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, World Storytelling Day was held online for the first time. It proved that true stories can overcome any distance and even isolation.
Storytelling has a therapeutic effect—it helps to rethink one’s own experiences, share experiences, and even heal psychological trauma.
Historical events on this day
1602 — The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was founded in the Netherlands. It became the world’s first officially registered public company whose shares could be freely traded on the stock exchange. The company played a key role in the development of world trade and Dutch colonial expansion in Asia.
1792 — The National Assembly of France decided to use the guillotine as the official instrument of execution. This device became a symbol of the French Revolution. Within a year, it was used for the execution of King Louis XVI. For a long time, guillotining was carried out exclusively in public.
1815 Napoleon Bonaparte solemnly returned to Paris after escaping from the island of Elba. This event marked the beginning of the so-called “reign of one hundred days”, during which the emperor tried to regain power in Europe.
1854 — The Republican Party was created in the USA, which would later play a decisive role in the abolition of slavery and become one of the two leading political forces in the country.
1883 — The Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property was signed in Paris. This international treaty laid the foundation for the modern copyright and patent protection system around the world.
1902 — American inventor Nathan Stubblefield demonstrated a mobile phone prototype. He performed a demonstration aboard a steamboat on the Potomac River, transmitting his voice wirelessly—long before modern telephones.
1916 — Albert Einstein published the general theory of relativity. This scientific work became a revolution in physics and changed the idea of gravity, space and time.
1917 — Ukrainian historian Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, while in Moscow, was elected chairman of the Central Rada. This event became an important stage in the formation of Ukrainian statehood at the beginning of the 20th century.
1921 — The premiere of the first cartoon featuring Walt Disney took place in Kansas City. This show was the beginning of a legendary animation empire that later changed the world entertainment industry.
1933 — The first Nazi concentration camp, Dachau, was built near Munich. His first prisoners were German communists and social democrats. Over time, Dachau became a model for the entire system of camps of the Third Reich.
1939 — Germany issued an ultimatum to Lithuania with the demand to hand over the Klaipeda region (Memel). Two days later, the Lithuanian government was forced to agree, and the region went to the Third Reich.
1956 — Tunisia officially declared its independence from France. This event became part of a wider process of decolonization of North Africa.
1991 — In Ukraine, the National Bank was established on the basis of the republican administration of the State Bank of the USSR. On the same day, the Ukrainian SSR nationalized all union banks on its territory — an important step towards financial independence.
1995 — A sarin attack organized by the religious cult “Aum Shinrikyo” took place in the Tokyo subway. This terrorist attack killed and poisoned hundreds of people and was one of the largest uses of chemical weapons in peacetime.
2003 — The invasion of Iraq by the forces of the USA, Great Britain and Australia began. This military operation marked the beginning of a multi-year war, the consequences of which are still felt by the world.
2007 — The computer game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. was released. from the Ukrainian studio GSC Game World. The project, inspired by the Chernobyl exclusion zone and the work of the Strugatsky brothers, has become a cult for players all over the world.
2015 — In one day, three astronomical phenomena occurred at once: a total solar eclipse, the vernal equinox, and a supermoon. Such a rare combination became a real gift for astronomers and space lovers.
2018 — Ukraine and Qatar signed an agreement on the visa-free regime, which simplified travel between the countries and opened up new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations.
2019 — The city of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, officially received a new name — Nur-Sultan, in honor of the country’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. This step caused a lot of controversy both in the country itself and outside its borders.
