November 13 is celebrated as World Kindness Day, International Day of the Blind and World Geographic Information Systems Day.
There are 48 days left until the New Year. 994th day of the war in Ukraine.
World Kindness Day
This holiday unites everyone in the desire to make the world a better place. This day aims to spread good deeds, share warmth and remind the importance of mercy and compassion.
For the first time, the idea of the celebration arose in 1998 thanks to the World Movement of Kindness, which unites people from different parts of the world to support humanity, tolerance and friendship. World Kindness Day, although an unofficial holiday, has gained popularity in many countries and is celebrated in more than 30 countries.
Interesting facts
Research shows that even a small gesture of kindness can increase the levels of oxytocin—the “happy hormone”—in both the doer and the recipient. Simple acts like a smile or a compliment improve the mood and health of both parties.
Researchers have proven that good deeds can reduce stress, improve emotional state and increase life satisfaction. When we do something nice for others, we activate the same areas of the brain as when we receive rewards—a process often called “kindness that heals.”
On this day, many people participate in acts of kindness, such as giving flowers to strangers, organizing dinners for the homeless, or simply supporting those in need. Often, children in schools create “kindness walls” on which they write kind words or pin things for those who need them.
Many people use social media to spread kindness. They share heartwarming stories, support others with comments, or simply encourage good deeds under appropriate hashtags like #WorldKindnessDay.
Recently, environmental organizations have joined the celebration, calling to support the day of kindness through caring for nature — for example, cleaning parks or organizing eco-actions.
International day of the blind
This day is dedicated each year to people with visual impairments, raising awareness of the challenges they face and the importance of creating an inclusive society. The International Day of the Blind was established by the United Nations to draw attention to the issue of accessibility, equality of opportunity and the importance of supporting people with disabilities.
November 13 was not chosen by chance. This day is dedicated to the birthday of Valentine Gayoui, an outstanding French teacher and inventor who, as early as the 18th century, devoted himself to helping blind people. It was he who created the world’s first school for the blind in Paris in 1784 and developed a special font for the blind, which became the prototype of Braille.
Interesting facts
The modern Braille font, created by Louis Braille in 1829, became a real breakthrough for blind people, giving them the opportunity to read and write. Today, this font is widely used around the world and has been adapted for various languages, music notation, mathematics and even computer codes.
Thanks to innovations, blind people have access to special computer programs, smartphones with voice assistants, tactile displays and other technologies. For example, applications on smartphones can recognize text, colors, objects, and even talk about the environment.
Museums around the world create special programs for blind visitors. Some facilities offer tactile exhibits, audio guides with detailed descriptions, and accessible art programs.
For many blind people, guide dogs become not only helpers, but also loyal friends. Specially trained dogs help to navigate in urban space, providing a more independent life.
In today’s world, more attention is paid to creating equal opportunities for blind people. Many universities, companies and organizations adapt the environment so that blind people can learn, work and fulfill their potential.
World Day of Geographic Information Systems
World Geographic Information Systems Day (GIS Day) is celebrated every year on the Wednesday of the third week of November. The day is dedicated to promoting and demonstrating the importance of geographic information systems (GIS) that help us better understand and explore the world through maps, analytical tools and geospatial data.
GIS is a complex system that combines hardware and software, data, and analytical methods to collect, store, process, and analyze spatial information. GIS is used to create interactive maps and develop spatial models that allow you to explore natural resources, predict natural disasters, study climate change, optimize transportation routes, and much more.
GIS Day was initiated in 1999 by Esri (Environmental Systems Research Institute) and its founder, Jack Dangermond, with the goal of engaging the public in understanding the value of geographic information in today’s world. Since then, this day has become an international event, celebrated in many countries, where events, conferences, lectures and practical classes are organized.
Interesting facts
GIS is not only used by geographers. It is widely used in such fields as urban planning, health care, ecology, defense, marketing and even in agriculture. For example, farmers can use GIS to monitor soil and plan crop rotations.
GIS helps scientists and ecologists study natural habitats and monitor changes in ecosystems. Thanks to GIS, it is possible to study the distribution of species, assess the impact of climate change on nature reserves, and even monitor poaching.
In emergency situations, such as earthquakes, floods or forest fires, GIS helps rescuers quickly and accurately identify areas where help is needed, plan evacuation routes and coordinate rescue operations.
GIS plays an important role in public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, GIS was used to track disease cases, predict the spread of the virus, and develop effective response strategies.
GIS enables everyone to learn more about their city, district or country. With interactive maps, people can see information about air pollution, public transportation availability, crime rates, and more.
Historical events on this day
1002 — Massacre of the Danes in England
On this day, the English king Ethelred II, nicknamed the Fool, ordered the extermination of all the Danes who lived in the southern counties of England. This event is known as “St. Bryce’s Day” – the day of mass murder of the Danish population, which was considered a threat to the English crown.
1851 — The Mykolaiv railway was put into operation
In the Russian Empire, the Mykolaiv railway was launched, which connected Moscow and St. Petersburg. This railway became the first major highway in the country and stimulated the development of infrastructure in the empire.
1851 — The start of telegraphic communication between London and Paris
On this day, a telegraph line was launched that connected London and Paris, providing direct communication between the capitals. This greatly facilitated communication between the two countries, which became an important step in the development of international relations.
1913 — Signing of the Greek-Turkish peace treaty
Greece and Turkey concluded a treaty whereby Greece received the island of Crete and most of the Aegean islands except Tenedos, Imbros and the Dodecanese. This treaty determined the distribution of territories in the Aegean Sea and became a key event in Greek-Turkish relations.
1918 — Foundation of the Directory of the Ukrainian National People’s Republic
On this day, at a secret meeting, the Ukrainian National Union announced the creation of the Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the highest authority of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, which was supposed to fight against the regime of Hetman Skoropadskyi.
1918 — Proclamation of the West Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZUNR)
The Ukrainian National Council in Lviv adopted a temporary basic law, which announced the creation of ZUNR. This was a significant step towards gaining independence for the western Ukrainian lands.
1918 — Cancellation of the Brest Peace Treaty by Soviet Russia
The Council of People’s Commissars of the RSFSR unilaterally annulled the Brest Peace Treaty with the Central Powers, which allowed Soviet troops to resume hostilities in the territories controlled by Ukraine.
1943 — Completion of the Kyiv offensive operation
During the Second World War, Soviet troops completed the Kyiv offensive, liberating Zhytomyr. It was one of the key battles on the Eastern Front, which ensured the strategic advantage of the USSR.
1945 — Election of Charles de Gaulle as head of the Provisional Government of France
French leader Charles de Gaulle was elected head of the Provisional Government after World War II. His return to the political arena was an important event for the recovery of France.
1950 — Rome — Montreal plane crash in France
A Canadian airline, Curtiss-Reid Flying Services Ltd., on a flight from Rome to Montreal veered off course and collided with a mountain, killing 58 people. This tragedy became one of the biggest plane crashes of those years.
1971 — Launch of the first artificial satellite of Mars “Mariner-9”
The USA successfully launched the Mariner-9 interplanetary spacecraft into orbit around Mars, which became the first artificial satellite of this planet. This achievement opened new horizons for the study of space.
1974 – Yasser Arafat’s speech at the UN General Assembly
The leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Yasser Arafat, addressed the UN General Assembly for the first time, which drew international attention to the Palestinian issue and became an important event in diplomatic relations.
1980 – Voyager 1 transmitted the first photographs of Saturn
The Voyager 1 spacecraft sent the first detailed pictures of Saturn to Earth, which gave new knowledge about this planet and its rings.
1985 — Eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia
Due to the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, more than 20 thousand people died. It became one of the most tragic natural disasters in Colombia and led to large-scale destruction.
1994 — Referendum on Sweden’s accession to the EU
In a referendum, Swedish citizens voted for joining the European Union, which opened up new opportunities for the country’s economic and political development.
1997 — The first meeting of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine
This day is considered the official date of creation of the CEC of Ukraine. The first meeting of the body that ensures the transparency and legality of election processes in the country took place.
2007 — The European Parliament approved the visa facilitation agreement with Ukraine
The European Parliament gave its consent to the entry into force of agreements on the simplification of the visa regime and readmission between the EU and Ukraine. This became an important step in the rapprochement of Ukraine with the European Union.
2015 – Terrorist attacks in Paris
Paris has seen horrific terrorist attacks, including bombings outside the Stade de France, a shooting at a restaurant and hostage-taking at the Bataclan theater. In total, 138 people died, and more than 400 were injured.
The Pope’s plan to convert the Great Mongol Khan to Christianity failed
On November 13, 1246, the Pope’s plan to convert the Great Mongol Khan to Christianity failed. The Pope tried to attract the Mongol Empire to this faith in order to ensure peace and alliance with the Tatars. However, after the personal meeting of the Italian Franciscan friar Giovanni del Plano Carpini with the Great Khan Guyuk, grandson of Genghis Khan, in the Karakoram pond, the Khan’s answer was unequivocal.
Huyuk not only rejected the call to become a Christian, but also sent a message to the Pope in which he called on him and the Western monarchs to personally come to his court and acknowledge submission, because, as it was emphasized, “by the power of God, all the lands from the east to the west are given to Genghis Khan and his descendants.” . This short but decisive statement expressed the basic ideology of the Chingizids, who claimed world domination.
Genghis Khan himself, the founder of the Mongol Empire, did not adhere to any particular religion, was tolerant and did not favor any faith over another. He supported sages and religious figures of various tribes, considering it a sign of respect for a higher power. In particular, he required his subjects to respect all religions and maintain neutrality in relation to all beliefs. According to historians, Genghis Khan was close to the belief in Tengri – the deified sky, which was practiced by most Mongolian tribes, but it probably corresponded more to a certain worldview than to religion.
The Persian historian Rashid al-Din al-Tabib describes an event that shows the spiritual beliefs of the Khan: when Genghis Khan learned about the death of his ambassadors, he, angry, climbed to the top of the mountain, untied his belt, put it around his neck, took off his hat and for three days prayed, asking for strength from an unknown creator. It was an emotional reaction that indicated his belief in the existence of a higher power.
After the death of Genghis Khan, his heirs repeatedly changed their religious beliefs. His sons and grandsons supported different beliefs: some of them returned to shamanism, others accepted Nestorian Christianity through marriage with representatives of the Keraite tribe, and some were inclined to Buddhism. About a century later, during the reign of Khan Uzbek, the Golden Horde khans converted to Islam, and this religion became widespread.
As a result, a hundred years after the death of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire gradually weakened due to religious differences and the lack of a unified worldview, which led to its decline. And although Genghis Khan himself always advocated religious tolerance, his heirs chose their own path, which became an important factor in the loss of Mongolian unity.
Benjamin Franklin’s legendary quote about the inevitability of death and taxes
On November 13, 1789, the American politician, one of the founders of the USA, scientist and thinker Benjamin Franklin in his letter to the physicist Leroy, a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of France, expressed an opinion that became an aphorism: “There is nothing certain in this world, except death and taxes “. This letter was written at a time when France was in the throes of revolution, and Franklin began his letter with an ironic question: “Are you still alive?”.
This phrase of Franklin became a symbol of the immutability of two inevitable phenomena – death and taxes. The tax system has a long history, since even during the formation of the first states, taxes were levied on the ownership of land, livestock and workers. But the needs of states grew over time, and with them the scope of taxation expanded.
Unusual taxes existed in many cultures:
In ancient Rome, the emperor Titus Flavius Vespasian introduced a tax for the use of public toilets, which is where the catchphrase “money doesn’t smell” comes from.
In Byzantium, a tax “on air” appeared when the state urgently needed additional income.
In Austria, there is a tax on tourists who engage in skiing, and it is nicknamed the “plaster tax” – these funds go to the treatment of injuries.
In some countries, tourists have to pay a “sun tax”, and in Guinea there is even a peace tax – the country prepares funds in case of a possible war.
Franklin’s statement about the inevitability of death and taxes is especially relevant in the Western world, where taxation is a stable norm. In Ukraine, this truth is often perceived as a theorem, because the tax system is still in the stage of development.
Franklin is known as the author of many aphorisms that became the basis of financial literacy and life wisdom:
“Time is money.”
“What began with anger will end with shame.”
“Early to bed and early to rise – this is what makes a person healthy, rich and wise.”
“Investment in knowledge always gives the greatest profit.”
“Laziness makes any business difficult.”
“The first degree of madness is to consider oneself wise, the second is to talk about it, the third is to refuse advice.”
“He who buys too much, eventually sells what he needs.”
“In order to become rich, one must not only earn, but also learn to be thrifty.”
“For happiness you must either reduce your desires or increase your means.”
“Say less, do more. Words will show your intelligence, and actions – your significance.”
Considered a master of financial literacy and planning, Franklin earned the honor of being featured on the US $100 bill. His philosophy and sayings remain relevant even today, inspiring the wise use of time, knowledge and resources.
Simon Petliura was released from custody by decree of Hetman Pavel Skoropadskyi
On November 13, 1918, one of the key events in the history of the Ukrainian People’s Republic took place. According to the decree of Hetman Pavel Skoropadskyi, he was previously arrested on charges of preparing an armed coup. Petliura gave his word of honor that he would not take part in armed actions against the hetman. However, on the same day, he went to White Tserkva, where he declared himself Chief Otaman, and Skoropadsky an outlaw.
It was a turning point, because on the night of November 13-14, 1918, the Ukrainian Directory was created in Bila Tserkva – the new central authority of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The Directory was headed by Volodymyr Vynnychenko, and its main goal was the overthrow of the hetman regime. On December 14, Kyiv was liberated from hetman power, and the Directory gained control over the capital.
The Directory immediately adopted a series of radical decisions directed against representatives of the landed aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. A decree was issued on the immediate dismissal of all officials appointed under the hetman’s government. Moreover, the government even planned to deprive the industrial and agrarian bourgeoisie of electoral rights. Power on the ground was supposed to pass into the hands of local activists — labor councils consisting of representatives of the peasantry, workers, and labor intelligentsia.
However, these changes did not find widespread support among the majority of specialists, entrepreneurs and representatives of the state apparatus. Some time later, even the peasantry, which at the beginning of the struggle supported the Directory, began to express dissatisfaction with its economic policy.
Military defeats, instability at the front and a lack of support among the main sections of society became serious challenges for the Directory. These events are reflected in the saying: “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” History shows that promises made in the context of political struggle often lose weight, and the winners always write history in their own way.
