October 2 is the International Day of Nonviolence, the International Day of the Social Educator, and the World Day of Play.
On October 2, 1928, the organization “Opus Dei” – one of the most mysterious and influential movements in the Catholic Church – was founded in Madrid.
On October 2, 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born – the leader of the Indian national liberation movement, whom the people nicknamed the “Great Soul” – Mahatma Gandhi.
International Day of Nonviolence
This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2007, the date was chosen in honor of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most famous advocates of non-violent resistance. Gandhi used nonviolent methods of struggle to achieve India’s independence from Great Britain, and his approach inspired numerous peace movements around the world, including the struggle for black rights in the United States, led by Martin Luther King Jr.
Interesting facts
This day is dedicated to the philosophy of “ahimsa”, which means “non-violence” in Sanskrit. This is an important part of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, which calls for avoiding not only physical violence, but also thoughts or actions that could harm others.
The UN chose Gandhi’s birthday for this holiday because he was a symbol of non-violent struggle. His movement “satyagraha” (persistence in truth) is considered one of the most effective examples of peaceful resistance.
Gandhi’s ideas influenced the leaders of movements such as the civil rights movement in the United States and the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa. His protest methods were also used in the struggle for social justice and human rights in various countries.
The UN considers this day important to remind governments and the public of the need to resolve conflicts peacefully, calling for dialogue, diplomacy and compromise, rather than the use of force.
In the context of the many ongoing conflicts in the world today, the day draws attention to how non-violent methods can help avoid bloodshed and promote sustainable peace.
International Day of the Social Pedagogue
This holiday has been celebrated since 2009 at the initiative of the International Association of Social Educators (AIEJI). It honors the important role of social educators in supporting children, youth and families, and in promoting social justice and well-being in society.
Interesting facts
Social pedagogues work at the intersection of education, social work and psychological support, helping people in difficult life situations. They deal with adaptation of orphans, support of troubled youth, rehabilitation of children with special needs and other social problems.
This profession is recognized in many countries of the world, in particular in Europe and Latin America. The international day helps raise awareness of the role of social educators and the importance of their work for the well-being of society.
Every year, the holiday is accompanied by a certain theme that reflects the current problems and challenges faced by social pedagogues. It can be social inclusion, work with migrant children or support in crisis situations.
Social workers play a key role in schools, helping to solve problems related to learning, discipline and personal problems of students. They create a safe environment for learning and contribute to the harmonious development of children.
Despite the important role played by social pedagogues, they often face underestimation of their profession. In many countries, there is insufficient funding for these services, which makes the work difficult.
Social educators often cooperate with families, helping them overcome crisis situations, establish relationships and ensure the harmonious development of children.
World Game Day
This day was created to remind about the importance of play for the development of children and adults. The game not only entertains, but also helps to develop creativity, communication skills and emotional intelligence. This day was initiated by international organizations involved in the education and protection of children’s rights, and emphasizes that play is an important part of life.
Interesting facts
Research shows that through play, children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, social interaction, and even logical thinking. Games help children at an early age to learn about the world, interact with others and express their emotions.
The game is useful not only for children. It helps relieve stress, improve mood and even increase productivity. Adults who regularly participate in play activities feel more satisfied with life and have better social connections.
Games can be physical, mental, board, sports, or even digital. It is important that the game corresponds to the interests and age of the person, stimulates curiosity and causes satisfaction.
The game has become an important part of modern educational methods. Educational institutions are increasingly using game techniques to improve the learning process and stimulate students’ interest in new knowledge.
The game unites people of different cultures, ages and social status. It helps build communities, develop empathy and learn cooperation.
Outdoor games are also an important aspect. Children who play outside not only get physical exercise, but also learn to interact with nature, which improves their mood and health.
Historical events on this day
1552 — Capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible
On this day, the troops of Moscow Tsar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) captured Kazan, the capital of the Kazan Khanate, after a two-month siege. It was one of the most important victories of the Muscovite Empire, which led to the fall of the Kazan Khanate. Most of the city’s defenders were executed, and the event itself marked the end of Kazan’s independence and the strengthening of Ivan the Terrible’s position as the ruler of the united lands.
1709 — Death of Ivan Mazepa
On October 2, 1709, Hetman Ivan Mazepa died in the village of Varnytsia near Bender. He was one of the most influential figures in the history of Ukraine, leading the attempt to liberate Ukraine from Moscow power during the Northern War. After the defeat at Poltava, Mazepa was forced to flee with his allies, and his death became a symbol of the struggle for Ukraine’s independence from Russia.
1870 – Rome became the capital of united Italy
After many years of struggle for the unification of Italy, the troops of the Italian kingdom occupied Rome. On October 2, 1870, the city became the official capital of united Italy. This event completed the process of the Risorgimento, the Italian unification movement that transformed Italy into a unified state.
1944 — The end of the Warsaw Uprising
After 63 days of heroic struggle, the Warsaw Uprising of the Home Army ended in defeat on October 2, 1944. Poles tried to liberate Warsaw from the Nazis before the arrival of the Red Army in order to escape Soviet control. However, the Soviet troops stopped the offensive, which allowed the German forces to destroy the rebellion. This became one of the most tragic pages of Polish history in the Second World War.
1958 — Independence of Guinea from France
On October 2, 1958, Guinea became the first African country to declare independence from France after a referendum. This event became an important milestone for the entire African continent, which was gradually freed from colonial rule. Guinea, under the leadership of Ahmed Sekou Toure, began to build a new course for independence and sovereignty.
1990 — The beginning of the “Revolution on granite” in Ukraine
On October 2, 1990, a student protest action began in Kyiv, which went down in history under the name “Revolution on Granite”. Ukrainian students came to Independence Square with the demand to adopt laws that would guarantee the sovereignty of the republic. They organized a mass hunger strike, which became an important milestone in the process of gaining Ukraine’s independence from the USSR.
1996 — Plane crash near Lima
On October 2, 1996, a tragic Boeing 757 plane crash occurred near Lima, the capital of Peru. As a result of the accident, 70 people died. This disaster left a mark in world aviation history due to problems with the aircraft’s navigation systems that led to the tragedy.
Foundation of the organization “Opus Dei”
On October 2, 1928, in Madrid, according to the founder himself, “by inspiration from above”, the Spanish priest Josemaria Escriva founded an organization called “Opus Dei” (Latin: “Work of God”). This religious formation, also known as the Prelature of the Holy Cross and the Work of God, has become one of the most mysterious and influential movements in the Catholic Church. Numerous rumors and conspiracy theories have grown up around it, making this organization even more intriguing to researchers and the general public.
The world popularity of Opus Dei increased significantly after the release of Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code, in which this organization was presented as a mysterious and powerful alliance. Stories about Opus Dei are often compared to the secrecy characteristic of Masonic lodges, and every aspect of its activities is always surrounded by an aura of mystery.
The organization’s official mission is to help believers achieve holiness in ordinary everyday life through the fulfillment of mundane tasks and responsibilities. But in fact, thanks to its considerable power and influence, Opus Dei has become a global force. The organization unites more than 100,000 members worldwide, including many politicians, lawyers, architects and other highly qualified professionals. This fact makes it one of the most influential religious communities in the world.
The members of Opus Dei, the so-called supernumeraries, continue to live an ordinary life, but at the same time undertake to adhere to the teachings and ethics of the order. They are engaged in active social and political activities and contribute to the spread of the values of the Catholic Church in their countries. One of the members of Opus Dei explained the organization’s mission as follows: “It’s not about creating schools or charity projects, but about changing the usual way of life… Until you imagine a mother trying to teach her children to play soccer in an old van, you don’t you will understand Opus Dei”.
In addition to its philosophy of “holiness through everyday work,” the organization became known for its mysterious symbols and practices. One of them is “Black Virgin Mary”, associated with myths and legends. Members of the organization believe that holiness can be achieved by engaging in ordinary worldly activities that diverge from the traditional canons of Catholicism, which calls for obedience and devotion to the Church. The phrase “God is me!” often attributed to the founder of the organization, who said: “Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is.”
The structure of the organization is closely related to the Vatican, its charter is agreed and approved by the Holy See, which increases its status in the Catholic Church. In order to become a member of Opus Dei, it is necessary to “feel in your heart the call to apostolic service” – the so-called “voice of God”, and only after six years of training can you join the community. The internal hierarchy and discipline in the organization are very strict.
The slogan of “Opus Dei” is the phrase: “God and Daring.” There is an opinion that the true purpose of the organization is to establish a new world order or even seize global power, creating a kind of “Masonic lodge” where everyone performs his function in the name of God. The idea of holiness through everyday work became central to their doctrine.
Some also believe that Opus Dei may be a front for a secret Vatican intelligence, similar to the Jesuit order founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1534, which numbers about 15,000 people.
Birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
On October 2, 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born – the leader of the Indian national liberation movement, whom the people nicknamed the “Great Soul” – Mahatma Gandhi. (Gandhi in translation means “merchant”, and the name or title Mahatma means “Great teacher”, it was given to him by his students). He was said to be the leader destined to change the world. He was considered a revolutionary, reactionary, petty-bourgeois ideologue, “great son of India”, “father of the nation”, “architect of freedom”, “conscience of mankind”, prophet and saint.
Mahatma Gandhi was a deeply religious man. He was a vegetarian, renounced material goods, walked barefoot and in simple clothes, and sent all the numerous donations that came to him to help the needy. When asked why he travels in third-class trains, the cheapest, he replied: “Because there is no fourth.” Gandhi came to the audience with the Queen of England in his usual clothes – simple trousers and a cape. Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times.
One of his main contributions was the creation of the idea and theory of nonviolent resistance. It is interesting that Leo Tolstoy was the first to voice this idea at the beginning of the 20th century. Gandhi said: “The non-violence I preach is the active non-violence of the strong.” His strategy of non-violent resistance became a new way of fighting for freedom and independence.
History also preserves interesting moments from his life. For example, Gandhi twice wrote letters to Adolf Hitler, because he was convinced that it was up to him whether the Second World War would start, and he believed that anyone could be “infected with goodness.”
In one of the letters he wrote:
“…Now something tells me that I should not count the consequences and I should turn to you, no matter what it costs me. It is obvious that you are the only person in the world today who can prevent a war that could return humanity to a state of savagery. Is it worth paying such a price to achieve a goal, no matter how significant it may seem? Perhaps you will heed the call of a man who deliberately rejected war as a method and at the same time achieved considerable success [in his business]? In any case, I apologize if my letter was a mistake. Your sincere friend, MK Gandhi.”
Mahatma Gandhi formulated the “Seven Social Sins”, which became his moral testament to humanity:
- Wealth without work.
- Pleasure without responsibility.
- Business without morality.
- Education without character formation.
- Science without humanity.
- Religion without self-sacrifice.
- Politics without principles.
He warned that these sins could destroy society. One of his famous quotes is:
“Politics without principles, pleasure without conscience, wealth without work, knowledge without character, business without morality, science without humanity, and prayer without sacrifice will destroy us.”
Gandhi also urged people not to judge others for their views:
“It is a bad habit to claim that others think wrongly, and we think rightly, and that those who hold different views from us are enemies of the Motherland.”
The most important moment in the life of Mahatma Gandhi came five months before his death, when he achieved the main goal of his life — India gained independence from Great Britain peacefully, without bloodshed.
More than 10 films have been made about Gandhi and he remains one of the most influential figures in world history. His teachings, life and ideas continue to inspire millions of people to fight for justice and peace around the world.
