May 6 marks the Day of the Infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as World Asthma Day, International Diet Day and International Coaching Day. Every year on May 6, the world also remembers events that have left a deep mark in various fields — from the history of wars and scientific breakthroughs to tragedies and royal ceremonies.
Day of the Infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
On May 6, Ukraine celebrates Infantry Day — the day of soldiers who are the support and foundation of the ground troops, those who are the first to meet the enemy face to face, under bullets and shells, on the front line. It is a day of courage, endurance and honoring those who daily choose freedom in the most difficult areas of the front. The Ukrainian infantry is not just a type of army, but the embodiment of an indomitable spirit and sacrifice. Its fighters go into battle in the front ranks, who dig in under artillery fire, who withstand the onslaught of the enemy, holding positions when it is difficult to even stand.
The holiday was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 152/2019 of April 19, 2019 “in order to honor the courage and heroism of soldiers of infantry units.” And although the infantry has always been on the front lines, it was after the start of the war in 2014, and especially after the full-scale invasion of 2022, that Ukrainian society realized the price of every step of the infantry in a new way.
Modern Ukrainian infantry are both experienced contractors and mobilized civilians who took up arms to defend the country. These are men and women, ATO veterans and recruits, teachers, doctors, miners and IT workers – all who became soldiers because they could not stand aside. They are the heart of the army, on which the defense rests, and it is they who pay the highest price for every meter of Ukrainian land.
On Infantry Day, we honor the memory of fallen heroes and thank the living. We admit: without the infantry, there would be no defense, no counterattacks, no liberated villages and towns.
Interesting facts
Infantry is the basis of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: infantry units are represented in each brigade, and the total number of infantrymen is measured in the tens of thousands.
Ukrainian infantry has deep historical traditions — from Cossack infantry regiments to units of the UPA and the army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Modern infantrymen are the continuation of this fighting heritage.
Individual mechanized brigades, such as the 24th named after King Danylo or the 93rd “Kholodnyi Yar”, have a heroic history and took part in key battles in Donbas and in the liberation of Kharkiv and Kherson regions.
Modern warfare has forced infantry units to master new technologies — now infantrymen have FPV drones, UAVs for reconnaissance, thermal sights that change the rules of battle.
“Infantry is the god of war” is the slogan of the new era. If earlier it was said about the artillery, now the infantry has acquired a key role on the battlefield – both in assaults and in maintaining frontiers.
World Asthma Day
Every year on the first Tuesday of May, the world community celebrates World Asthma Day, a disease that affects the lives of millions of people every day. This day is not just a formal date on the calendar, but a loud call to pay attention to a problem that still remains underappreciated. Despite medical advances, asthma continues to deprive people of full breathing, confident physical activity, and a carefree life.
The day was initiated by the Global Initiative to Control Asthma (GINA) and was first observed in 1998. Its goal is not only to spread awareness, but also to improve diagnosis, ensure access to effective treatment and debunk myths about the disease. After all, bronchial asthma is not a sentence if it is under control. And at the same time, it is a serious threat if treatment is neglected.
In the 21st century, asthma has become one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to WHO, more than 260 million people suffer from it. In Ukraine, this figure, according to rough estimates, reaches about 250 thousand patients, but the real number may be much higher due to undiagnosed cases. Asthma affects both children and adults, and often begins in childhood, accompanying a person throughout life.
The problem is not only in the medical aspect, it has social and economic consequences. Uncontrolled asthma leads to disability, missed school days, hospitalizations, and sometimes fatalities. At the same time, quality treatment, regular use of inhalers and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations allow most patients to live a full life.
Interesting facts
The prevalence of bronchial asthma in the world is constantly increasing – today it affects more than 260 million people, and every year the disease takes the lives of about 450 thousand patients, mainly in countries with low access to basic medical care.
According to the calculations of Ukrainian allergists, about 250,000 Ukrainians have officially diagnosed asthma, but the real number may reach 1 million — due to undiagnosed and hidden forms, particularly in children.
Bronchial asthma is not a contraindication for sports: Olympic champions, such as swimmer Rebecca Adlington and skier Marit Bjorgen, were diagnosed with asthma and achieved high results thanks to constant control of the condition.
Asthma attacks are most often provoked precisely at night or in the morning, so regular intake of basic drugs (inhaled corticosteroids) significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Inhalers with fast-acting beta-agonists are a life-saving solution that relieves acute bronchospasm and prevents fatal consequences during an attack.
In more than 60% of children with asthma, the disease has an allergic component — a common cause is dust mites, mold, animal dander, or pollen.
The first signs of asthma can be disguised as a long night cough or difficulty breathing during physical exertion, so many children are diagnosed with a delay of 1-3 years.
In many schools in Europe, physical education teachers have basic knowledge about the management of children with bronchial asthma, and in some countries (for example, in Great Britain) it is allowed to keep spare inhalers in school medicine cabinets.
International Anti-Diet Day
It is a symbolic and at the same time deeply social date that challenges the weight loss industry, beauty standards and societal pressures on the body. This day invites you to stop, look in the mirror without self-judgment, and ask, “Why can’t I just be?”
Founded in 1992 by British feminist Mary Evans Young, a survivor of anorexia and stigmatization herself, the day marked the beginning of a global movement for body positivity, respect for bodily diversity and against size discrimination. The main goal is to support people to accept themselves as they are, regardless of weight, body shape or how society judges them.
It’s not just an ‘anything goes’ day or a ‘binge holiday’, it’s much deeper. It is a day when the very idea that thin means healthy and fat means lazy or abnormal is called into question. It’s a day to remember the harms of a toxic diet culture, when diets are imposed from childhood, when calorie control becomes an obsession that destroys self-esteem and, in some cases, lives.
In the medical community, more and more doctors support the rejection of short-term strict diets, emphasizing that health is not about weight, but about the general lifestyle, activity, sleep, mental state and balanced nutrition. That is why this day has another dimension – protecting people from pseudoscientific methods, fraudulent “cleansing” programs and the “detox” cult, which has no basis in evidence-based medicine.
Interesting facts
The day was founded after a 15-year-old British girl shortened her life due to taunts about her weight – this became a personal shock for Mary Evans Young, and she decided to organize the first protest action under the slogan “No to diets!”.
According to the WHO, more than 40% of teenagers have seriously restricted themselves in food at least once in their life in order to meet beauty standards imposed by social networks or fashion.
In the US, Canada, UK and Australia, there are clinics that not only treat eating disorders, but also educate about body acceptance, including through programs for parents and teachers.
The idea of ”rejection of diets” is supported by modern nutrition through the concept of intuitive nutrition – a system that teaches you to hear the signals of hunger and satiety and not to divide food into “good” or “bad”.
The concept of BMI (body mass index), which has long been considered a measure of health, is now criticized for being oversimplified: people with the same BMI can have completely different health statuses, depending on genetics, muscle mass and metabolism.
More than 70% of women in developed countries under the age of 30 have expressed dissatisfaction with their bodies at least once in their lives, even in the absence of medical reasons for losing weight.
International Coaching Day
This is a professional holiday designed to draw attention to coaching as a tool for personal, career and business development. This day does not have a fixed date, but its holding is coordinated by the International Coach Federation (ICF) – the largest global organization that unites certified coaches from more than 150 countries. As part of this holiday, a whole week of coaching (International Coaching Week) is usually held – with open sessions, lectures, master classes and an introduction to the philosophy of the coaching approach.
The purpose of this day is to popularize the idea that coaching is not manipulation or persuasion, but a deep process of partner interaction that helps a person find their own answers, resources and path. It is based on respect for the client, trust, the ability to listen and ask the right questions. Unlike mentoring or consulting, a coach does not give advice — he helps a person see the solution for himself.
In the modern world, coaching is used in a wide variety of areas: in business – for leadership and team development, in education – for motivating students and teachers, in sports – for achieving psychological endurance, in life – for personal growth, overcoming a crisis, changing careers. The Ukrainian context is also not standing aside: the demand for professional coaches is growing, especially among business owners, HR managers, military psychologists and veterans who are looking for new meanings in peaceful life.
Interesting facts
The International Coaching Federation (ICF), founded in 1995, has more than 50,000 members worldwide and is the most authoritative organization in the field of professional coaching.
The most famous coach in the world is Tony Robbins, who worked with Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams and many CEOs of multinational companies.
Unlike a psychologist, a coach does not heal past traumas, but focuses on the future — goals, resources, actions.
Most international companies have internal or external coaches to work with top management, including Google, Microsoft, IBM, Intel.
In the EU countries, there are state programs to support career coaching for the unemployed or migrants, which promotes social adaptation.
In Ukraine, more and more veteran organizations include coaching in post-service reintegration programs as a method of conscious planning for a new life.
Historical events on this day
1920 – The First winter campaign of the UNR Army has ended. The Ukrainian army passed more than 2,500 km through the territories occupied by the Red and White armies, in extremely difficult conditions of cold, disease and constant battles, proving its ability to resist and carry out a combat mission despite the overwhelming forces of the enemy.
1937 – In the state of New Jersey (USA), the world’s largest German transatlantic airship LZ 129 “Hindenburg” crashed. It exploded on landing, killing 35 people. The accident marked the end of the era of airships as the transport of the future. “Hindenburg” reached more than 240 meters in length and weighed 242 tons.
1944 – In Great Britain, the leader of the Indian national movement, Mahatma Gandhi, who was detained because of his calls for India’s independence from the British crown, was released from prison.
1953 – American cardiac surgeon John Gibbon, for the first time in history, performed an operation using an artificial circulatory system (“heart-lung”), opening a new era in cardiac surgery.
1958 – The last death sentence was carried out in Wales. Since then, the death penalty in Great Britain has become history.
1968 – Due to mass protests and clashes in Paris, the French authorities closed the Sorbonne, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It became a symbol of the student riot of May 1968.
1987 – The Soviet transport aircraft An-124 “Ruslan” set a world record for the distance of the flight on a closed route – more than 20 thousand kilometers without landing (20150.92 km), demonstrating the technical capabilities of Soviet aviation.
1990 – The state border between Moldova and Romania was opened – a symbol of the first steps towards the collapse of the USSR and the beginning of new political realities in Eastern Europe.
1991 – The legendary Ukrainian track and field athlete Serhiy Bubka set a world record in pole vaulting in Japan – 6 meters 7 centimeters, continuing his record streak, which had no analogues in the world of sports.
1992 – The constitution of the Republic of Crimea was adopted, which meant the creation of a new level of autonomy on the territory of Ukraine, which had just gained independence.
1994 – The grand opening of the Eurotunnel under the English Channel took place – a strategic infrastructure project that connected France and Great Britain by train through an underwater tunnel 50.5 km long.
2023 – The official coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as King and Queen Consort of the United Kingdom took place in London. The ceremony became one of the largest events of the British monarchy of the 21st century.
Day of St. George the Victorious, the patron saint of the military and a symbol of spiritual courage
Saint George the Great Martyr, who is commemorated on May 6 according to the Julian calendar, is one of the most revered saints in the Christian world. His image is not only a warrior on a horse defeating a snake, but also an example of indomitable faith, dignity and spiritual victory over cruelty.
Saint George was born in the 3rd century in Cappadocia (the territory of modern Turkey) in a wealthy and noble Christian family. From an early age, he was distinguished by courage, intelligence and loyalty. Entering the ranks of the Roman army, he quickly made a career, receiving the rank of centurion (commander of a unit of a thousand soldiers) and becoming a favorite of Emperor Diocletian.
Diocletian himself, despite his reputation as a talented ruler, went down in history as one of the cruelest persecutors of Christians. He was convinced that only a return to traditional paganism could save the empire, which was bursting at the seams due to inter-ethnic conflicts, religious fragmentation and loss of trust in the authorities. He considered Christianity, which was spreading rapidly, a threat to the state system. So the so-called Great Persecution began.
George could not put up with repression. He sold his property, gave everything to the poor and openly declared his faith in Christ before the emperor himself. He was repeatedly offered to renounce – not out of evil, but “for the sake of order”. Torture lasted for seven days, the purpose of which was not to kill, but to break his will. But George remained firm. In the end, Diocletian ordered his head to be cut off. It was thanks to this faithfulness to the end that he was proclaimed a great martyr.
According to church tradition, George the Conqueror is depicted on a white horse that jumps on a snake. This refers to the legend of the “Miracle of the Serpent”: even after his martyrdom, the saint allegedly appeared on the shore of a lake near Beirut, where a ferocious dragon appeared and demanded human sacrifices. Residents gave girls for food, until one of the chosen ones was the ruler’s daughter. At that moment George appeared, pierced the monster with a spear and saved the innocent. Amazed by this miracle, the inhabitants of the city accepted Christianity. According to another version, it happened during the lifetime of the saint.
However, the church emphasizes: George won the title “Victorian” not for killing a snake, but for a spiritual victory – over fear, temptations, the system and power that demanded to betray the faith. His example is not about the power of the sword, but about the indomitability of the spirit. Today, George the Victorious is honored as the heavenly patron of warriors, a symbol of courage, resilience, and sacrifice for the sake of higher ideals. His name is borne by temples, cities, orders, and the image of the saint is in the hearts of many generations who are looking for strength in the face of injustice.
Day of creation of UBOZ
On May 6, 1991, within the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, units for the fight against organized crime were officially created – UBOZ. This day coincided with the Orthodox holiday – the Day of Remembrance of St. George the Victorious, the patron saint of warriors and a symbol of the fight against evil.
However, the history of these units began earlier — on December 10, 1988, in Dnipropetrovsk, when the first experimental special unit of 12 people was formed in the USSR by a secret decision of the Board of the Ukrainian Armed Forces of the Dnipropetrovsk region to counter a new phenomenon — organized crime. Its creation was initiated by General Oleksandr Bylyuk, and formally it was subordinated to the newly created 6th Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR. The impetus for this was the activity of the Dnipro criminal authority Melnichenko, nicknamed “Matros”, who actually started the practice of racketeering in the USSR and was at that time the “king” of the criminal world.
The “Matrosa” gang was noted for its extreme brutality and had close ties with local law enforcement officers. When he was detained, on the same day the head of criminal investigation of the city police of Dnipropetrovsk committed suicide. This only confirmed the scale of corruption in the system. The newly created special unit was supposed to be the answer – the selection of personnel was allegedly carried out with the participation of the KGB, and the most promising officers from the point of view of operational work got into the composition. As a result, “Matros” received 12 years in prison. And although in 1995 he was released early and met with honors by criminal circles, at that time it was an unconditional victory. It was this experience that they decided to scale across the country.
In 1989, a similar experimental unit (OBOP) was created in Kyiv. The new formations were actually autonomous, classified, with broad operational powers, an agent network and the ability to create “legendary” firms for operational work. Their task was not defense, but offensive — detection, destabilization, localization and destruction of organized criminal structures.
Over time, the UBOZ turned into a large, extensive system with thousands of operatives, its own intelligence, the Sokil special unit, classified databases (RIS, later Scorpion), and a network of informants. By the mid-1990s, there was practically no large OZH left in Ukraine that would have escaped the impact of the UBOZ.
In 1993, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law “On the Organizational and Legal Basis of Combating Organized Crime”, for which 300 people’s deputies voted. Ukraine became the only one among the CIS countries that had a separate effective law in this area. However, over time, the structure began to lose real influence, criminal authorities became politicians, deputies, and advisers. When former “clients” of UBOZ started coming to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the unit was liquidated as “repressive”. However, the very fact that it was created in response to corruption in law enforcement bodies testified: the problem is not in the structure, but in the selection of personnel, supervision and compliance with the law. However, it seems that no one has already analyzed this.
In 2017, the EU Consultative Mission in Ukraine officially stated that there is no specialized body in the country that conducts a systematic fight against organized crime.
