International Women’s Day, International Women Brewers Day, Genealogy Day or Pedigree Day and Be Bad Day are celebrated around the world on March 8. Land Manager’s Day is also celebrated in Ukraine. Even on this day, in different years, events took place that left their mark in the history of the world. From the first achievements in aviation to significant political decisions, this day has become an important milestone for science, sports, international relations and the struggle for independence.
International Women’s
This day remains one of the most famous dates dedicated to women’s struggle for their rights and equality in society. Its history dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when women in various countries of the world actively defended the right to work, education and participation in political life. In 1977, the UN officially recognized this date as a symbol of women’s solidarity in the fight for equality.
In Ukraine, this day is traditionally perceived as a holiday of spring, beauty and femininity. However, in recent years there have been ongoing discussions about its status. In view of the war and the desire to move away from the Soviet legacy, the authorities and some Ukrainians are thinking about alternatives. One of the proposals is the establishment of Ukrainian Women’s Day on February 25 – the birthday of Lesya Ukrainka. In 2023, the Verkhovna Rada even proposed a bill to abolish March 8 as a holiday. However, it has not yet been considered. So, today Ukrainian women accept greetings in their honor.
Interesting facts
The idea of this day appeared after mass protests by textile workers in New York in 1908, who demanded shorter working hours, decent wages and the right to vote for women.
The first official celebration took place in 1911 in several European countries, in particular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Initially, March 8 was not associated with gifts and flowers, but had a political character, symbolizing the struggle for equality.
In the USSR, this day acquired a different meaning, turning into a “holiday of spring and femininity”, which somewhat negated its feminist connotation.
In Italy, women traditionally receive mimosas on this day – a symbol of tenderness, stability and struggle for rights.
In a number of countries, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, instead of March 8, Women’s History Month is celebrated throughout March.
Every year, the UN chooses a new theme for March 8, focusing on the current problems of women in the modern world.
International Day of Women Brewers
This holiday is dedicated to women who work in the brewing industry and develop the traditions of this ancient craft. It is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in March, highlighting the contribution of women to the production of beer, which has been an integral part of many cultures since ancient times. This day serves not only as an opportunity to honor female industry professionals, but also as a way to draw attention to gender equality in the brewing industry.
Historically, women played a significant role in brewing, especially in the Middle Ages, when they were responsible for brewing beer for family consumption. However, with the development of industrial production, this profession became more masculine. Recent decades have seen a resurgence of female presence in the industry, making this holiday especially important.
Interesting facts
In ancient Sumer, about 4 thousand years ago, brewing was a women’s craft, and the goddess Ninkasi was considered the patroness of beer.
In medieval Europe, brewing was also a women’s business, and it was only later that it came under the control of men and monasteries.
Today’s movement for gender equality in the brewing industry is helping to increase the number of women among master brewers and brewery owners.
In many countries, women’s brewing societies, such as the Pink Boots Society, have been established to support women in the profession.
In honor of this day, breweries around the world are releasing special beers, including collaborative recipes from female brewers.
Every year there are more female technologists, brewers, sommeliers and craft brewery owners in the beer industry.
Genealogy Day or Pedigree Day
This day is celebrated on the second Saturday of March. This is a special event dedicated to exploring our roots and learning more about our ancestors. This day offers a unique opportunity to dive into the past, discovering the stories, struggles and victories of those who came before us.
Genealogy as a science and a hobby allows you to trace family ties, discover unknown pages of family history and realize how the events of the past influenced our lives today. It is also a great opportunity for family reunions, sharing memories and preserving valuable family archives.
Interesting facts
The study of genealogy has a long tradition: in many cultures, genealogy played an important role in determining social status and the right to inheritance.
Archives and DNA tests today help people learn more about their ancestors, even when written records are lost or missing.
In some countries, there are special genealogical societies that help people research their family history.
Digitization of archives greatly simplifies the process of finding family connections by making this information available online.
Many families use this day to create family trees, preserve family heirlooms and ancestral stories for future generations.
Genealogy research can turn up interesting surprises, including connections to historical figures or distant relatives in different countries.
Be Bad Day
This is an unusual holiday that encourages people to show perseverance and confidence in their beliefs. This day does not promote rudeness or harming others, but rather is a reminder of the importance of openness, the ability to assert one’s boundaries, and the courage to express one’s own point of view, even if it goes beyond traditional politeness.
Often people avoid conflicts, are afraid to say “no” or openly express their opinion, so as not to seem impolite. However, this day emphasizes that being “uncomfortable” is sometimes necessary – especially when it comes to standing up for one’s rights, principles or advocating for change. The main idea of the holiday is to learn confidence, not to be afraid to defend yourself and your ideas.
Interesting facts
The origin of this holiday is not known for sure, but it became popular thanks to discussions on social networks.
“Being bad” in this context means not being afraid of conflict, setting clear boundaries, and demanding fair treatment.
Many successful people, from politicians to entrepreneurs, are often considered “awkward” because they are not afraid to express unpopular opinions.
This holiday also reminds us of the importance of healthy confrontation – the ability to argue constructively without falling into rudeness.
Research shows that people who can stand up for themselves are more likely to succeed and have higher self-esteem.
There is a popular phrase: “Good girls go to heaven, and bad girls go wherever they want,” which illustrates the main message of the day.
Land manager’s day
On the second Saturday of March, a professional holiday is celebrated in Ukraine – Land Manager’s Day. This day is dedicated to specialists engaged in land management, cadastral activities, regulation of land relations and ensuring rational use of land resources. The holiday was officially established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine in 1999, and since then it has been celebrated annually among specialists in this important field.
Land surveyors play a key role in the development of land management, because the quality of the land cadastre, legal regulation of land ownership, effective use of natural resources, and environmental protection depend on their work. In modern conditions, when land relations are an important component of the country’s economy, this profession acquires even greater importance.
Interesting facts
The profession of a land manager has deep roots: even in Kyivan Rus there were special people who were engaged in the distribution and accounting of land.
There is a similar international holiday in the world – the World Surveyor’s Day, which is celebrated on March 21.
The State Land Cadastre operates in Ukraine, which contains information on all land plots in the country.
The profession of a land surveyor requires knowledge of cartography, geodesy, law, economics, and ecology.
Modern land managers actively use drones and satellite technologies to create digital maps and cadastral registers.
Land managers take part in the processes of unsoldering land and forming a strategy for the development of territories.
Historical events on this day
1910 – French aviator Raymonda de Laroche became the first woman to receive a pilot’s license. This was a significant breakthrough for women in the field of aviation, because at that time the profession of a pilot was considered purely male. Her achievement paved the way for future female pilots.
1919 – The main events of the Egyptian revolution against the British occupation began. This was the beginning of mass protests and a national movement that led to Egypt’s independence in 1922. Popular resistance showed that Egyptians are ready to fight for their freedom.
1920 – Proclamation of the Arab Kingdom of Syria, the first modern Arab state. It was a short-lived but significant moment in the struggle for Arab independence, which culminated in the defeat of the war against French forces and the establishment of the French mandate over Syria.
1946 – The Lviv Council, organized by the communists and the Russian Orthodox Church, abolished the Brest Union, thus beginning the destruction of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. It was one of the darkest pages in the religious history of Ukraine, when the Soviet authorities forcibly integrated Greek Catholics into the Russian Orthodox Church.
1950 – The USSR officially announced the presence of an atomic bomb. This statement marked the beginning of the active phase of the Cold War, as the Soviet Union entered a nuclear race with the United States, changing the balance of power in the world.
1971 – The boxing “fight of the century” took place between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. It was one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing, in which Frazier inflicted the first defeat of Ali’s professional career.
1979 – Philips demonstrated a prototype optical digital audio disc in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. This technology became the basis for compact discs (CDs), which changed the music and multimedia industries in the following decades.
1983 – US President Ronald Reagan in his speech called the USSR the “Evil Empire”. It became one of the sharpest statements in Cold War rhetoric, highlighting the confrontation between the capitalist West and the communist East.
2006 – The USA canceled the restrictive foreign trade amendment of Jackson-Vanik regarding Ukraine. This decision became an important step in establishing economic relations between Ukraine and the USA, simplifying Ukrainian access to international trade and financial markets.
The story of the dog Hatiko
On March 8, 1935, the dog Hatiko, a symbol of loyalty, who waited for his master at the railway station for nine years, died.
Hachiko accompanied his master, Professor Hidesaburo Ueno, to work every day and came to meet him in the evening. One day the professor did not return – he died of a heart attack. However, the dog could not accept this reality and continued to come to the station every day, patiently waiting for him until late in the evening. He spent the night on the porch of the professor’s house, hoping for his return. Hatiko’s love for her master was boundless, even when the professor could no longer reciprocate.
In 1932, one of Japan’s largest newspapers published an article about “a dog that is still waiting at the station for its owner who died seven years ago.” The story touched the hearts of the Japanese, and the faithful dog became a national symbol of devotion.
Hatiko’s death caused a wide response, and the next day the country declared national mourning. In 1934, while the dog was still alive, the first monument in his honor was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachiko himself was present at the unveiling of the monument. However, during the Second World War, the monument was dismantled and remelted for the needs of the army.
However, the Japanese did not forget about their favorite: in 1947, a new monument was erected in the same place, which still stands there today. The second, lesser-known Hachiko monument was erected in the city of Odate in the station square. It was also destroyed during the war, but in 1987 it was restored.
Today, the statue of Hachiko near Shibuya Station is a popular meeting place for lovers, and the dog itself has become a symbol of boundless devotion and love that overcomes even death.
