November 15th is International Multiplication Table Day, International Day of Imprisoned Writers, International Anti-Bullying Day and World Recycling Day.
International Multiplication Table Day
It is a holiday celebrated annually on the first Friday of October. Its purpose is to popularize the knowledge of the multiplication table among children and adults, as well as to help students consolidate the skills of quick calculations. The holiday was founded in 2011 in Poland on the initiative of Polish teacher Andrzej Gryabinski. His idea quickly spread and now schools and institutions from more than 20 countries participate in the events.
Interesting facts
Various games, quizzes and competitions are held on this day, where students compete in the speed and accuracy of calculations. Teachers also organize creative competitions and interactive exercises to make learning fun.
The multiplication table is the basis of many mathematical operations, and a good knowledge of it helps students learn more complex topics more quickly. The holiday encourages children to improve their skills to confidently perform calculations without a calculator.
In many schools, students who demonstrate the best results receive certificates and diplomas. This motivates students and adds a pleasant competitive atmosphere to learning.
Schools from different countries join the celebration, and some international educational platforms organize online competitions to test knowledge of the multiplication table.
Modern technologies make it possible to organize learning in a playful way through applications, where students can practice performing speed tasks. It also makes the process interesting and accessible for children.
International Day of Imprisoned Writers
This day was founded in 1981 by the International PEN Club, an organization that unites writers, journalists and editors in the fight for freedom of speech and opposition to censorship. The main purpose of this date is to draw public attention to those who have been imprisoned for their writings, views and expressions, as well as to support writers who have been persecuted or threatened because of their literary activities.
Interesting facts
Every year on this day, organizations that protect human rights call on the governments of various countries to ensure the rights of writers and journalists to freedom of expression. On this day, events are held to remind about the violation of the rights of freedom of speech, as well as to express support for writers imprisoned for expressing their opinions.
According to the International PEN Club, thousands of writers, poets and journalists in various countries face persecution or imprisonment every year. This day raises the issue of freedom of speech and human rights, which for many authors become a matter of risk.
At different times, such outstanding authors as Oscar Wilde, Victor Hugo and Anna Akhmatova were imprisoned for their views. Today, the International Day of Imprisoned Writers, also reminds us of today’s writers and journalists who are behind bars for their writings and statements.
Every year PEN Club International nominates persecuted authors for special awards and prizes. This brings additional attention to their cases and may help in their release.
Historically, writers in countries with strict censorship and totalitarian regimes, such as China, Turkey, Iran, and Russia, are most often arrested and imprisoned. On this day, the PEN club and human rights organizations especially focus on cases of persecution in these regions.
An annual campaign is held where anyone can write a letter of support to an imprisoned writer or journalist, which has become an important moral support for many. Participants from all over the world write letters of support, which is especially appreciated by incarcerated authors.
International Anti-Bullying Day
The day takes place on the third Friday of November each year and aims to raise awareness of bullying and support those affected by bullying. On this day, people unite to speak out against violence, both in schools and in society, calling for tolerance, mutual respect and compassion.
Interesting facts
On this day, people wear pink clothes, which has become a symbol of support for victims of bullying. This tradition started in Canada in 2007, when two students started a campaign in support of a classmate who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
International Anti-Bullying Day is celebrated in more than 25 countries, where schools, organizations and communities organize events to raise awareness about bullying and methods of overcoming it.
This day highlights the importance not only for victims of bullying, but also for witnesses to take an active stance. Stand Up programs encourage people to speak out against bullying, report bullying and provide support to victims.
Schools often hold educational seminars, discussions, trainings and role-plays to help children understand how to deal with bullying situations. Parents are also involved in the discussion of the topic to understand how to support children in case of bullying.
On this day, social networks become a platform to spread messages about the importance of anti-bullying, in particular through the hashtags #StandUpToBullying and #AntiBullyingDay. People are posting stories that show that no one should be alone with this problem.
International Anti-Bullying Day also reminds us of the importance of creating a safe environment where every child and adult can feel safe. This applies to both educational institutions and workplaces.
World Recycling Day
This day aims to raise awareness of the importance of recycling and its contribution to protecting the environment. This day calls for the responsible use of natural resources and reminds of the importance of recycling to reduce pollution and preserve ecosystems.
Interesting facts
World Recycling Day was launched by UNESCO to promote global awareness of the possibilities of recycling and the impact of recycling on the economy and the environment.
This day popularizes the idea of the “seventh resource” — secondary raw materials that complement traditional resources (water, air, oil, gas, coal and minerals). Through recycling, you can reduce the use of traditional resources, preserving natural resources.
According to research, each kilogram of recycled plastic saves about 1.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide, and recycling one ton of paper can save about 17 trees. This day is a reminder of the importance of simple daily actions for the environment.
More than 50 million tons of e-waste are generated worldwide every year, of which only a fraction is properly recycled. On this day, activists call to pay attention to the disposal of electronics, because discarded devices may contain toxic substances that are dangerous for the environment.
In many countries, educational events, fairs, competitions on recycling and waste collection are held on this day to involve citizens in a responsible attitude towards garbage. Swap and recycling programs are often organized to show how easily unwanted items can be turned into useful resources.
Recycling allows you to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, where it takes years to decompose. Avoiding landfills helps protect soil and water resources from pollution, as well as reducing methane emissions, which is released during the decomposition of organic waste.
Historical events on this day
1904 – Patent for a razor with interchangeable blades. On this day in 1904, a razor that used interchangeable blades was patented. This discovery made shaving more convenient and safer, because the blades could be changed after blunting, which increased the hygiene and durability of the tool.
1918 — The beginning of the uprising against Hetman Pavel Skoropadskyi. In 1918, the Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, under the leadership of Simon Petliura and Volodymyr Vinnichenko, led an uprising against the rule of Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi. This event became a turning point in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence, causing the fall of the Hetmanate and the restoration of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
1920 — The first meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations. The first meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations was held in Geneva, an international organization created after the First World War in 1919 to ensure peace and cooperation between states. This meeting laid the foundation for the development of international law and diplomacy.
1933 — The first Soviet trolley bus LK-1 made a test flight. In 1933, a test trip of the LK-1 trolleybus, the first in the Soviet Union, took place. This event became an important stage in the development of urban electric transport in the future, allowing later to create a wide network of trolleybus transport.
1940 – Massive bombing of the city of Coventry. During World War II, 500 German Luftwaffe planes bombed the British city of Coventry for 10 hours. The city suffered significant destruction, and the operation went down in history as one of the largest air attacks.
1945 — Foundation of the Ukrainian Free Academy of Sciences. In Augsburg, Ukrainian scientists in emigration founded the Ukrainian Free Academy of Sciences (UVAN). Its first president was Dmytro Doroshenko, a well-known historian and political figure. The Academy has become an important center of science and culture for Ukrainians in the diaspora.
1957 — The first flight of the Tu-144 intercontinental aircraft. On this day, the first flight of the Soviet Tu-144 passenger plane took place. It was one of the first intercontinental aircraft capable of covering long distances, contributing to the development of world aviation.
1960 — The first nuclear submarine with nuclear missiles went to sea. The first American submarine of the “George Washington” type with nuclear missiles on board went to sea. This was an important step in the development of nuclear deterrence forces and influenced the course of the Cold War.
1990 — Founding of the Ukrainian Republican Party. After the abolition of the CPSU’s monopoly on power in the USSR in March, the Ministry of Justice of the Ukrainian SSR registered the first political party in Ukraine — the Ukrainian Republican Party. Its appearance was an important step on the way to multiparty and democratic society.
2001 — Completion of the work of the Russian-Ukrainian border delimitation commission. In Sumy, the commission for the delimitation of the land border between Ukraine and Russia, which was important for defining clear borders between the two states and settling border issues, finished its work.
2004 — The first open debate of the candidates for the President of Ukraine. The First National Channel aired a debate between presidential candidates Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych. These debates became an important part of the election campaign and gave citizens the opportunity to see the different positions of the candidates before the Orange Revolution.
Adoption of the “Articles of Confederation and Eternal Union”
On November 15, 1777, the deputies of the Second Continental Congress in the city of York (Pennsylvania) adopted the first constitutional document in the history of the United States entitled “Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union”, or the Constitution of the “United Colonies”. It was an international legal treaty that cemented the formation of a union of 13 independent states — a confederation created for “common defense, protection of liberties and provision of general welfare.”
This legal act defined the exclusive powers of the union state, while preserving the sovereignty of each of the individual states. The institution of “international citizenship” was also introduced – free residents of any state had the right to enjoy all the privileges and benefits in all other states. In the “Articles” federal authorities were established for the first time and their powers were determined.
The confederate body of government was Congress, which consisted of 2-7 delegates from each state and created a Committee of the States with one representative from each state. The main powers of Congress included:
- the right of one vote for each state;
- resolving issues of war and peace;
- conducting diplomatic relations and concluding international agreements;
- establishment of military orders and appointment to the highest military posts;
- regulation of money circulation and the postal service.
Although the new US Constitution was later adopted, the “Articles of Confederation” became its basis.
