October 7 is celebrated as World Architect and Architecture Day, World Bullying Prevention Day, and Bald and Free Day.
On October 6, 1917, the word “jazz” was used for the first time, which marked the beginning of the official recognition of this musical genre in popular culture.
On October 7, 1959, the Luna-3 satellite took the first pictures of the far side of the Moon, scientists were able to study and systematize data that was hidden from the human eye for the first time.
World Architect and Architecture Day
This holiday is celebrated annually on the first Monday of October, since 1985. The holiday was established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) to highlight the importance of architecture in society and draw attention to global issues such as sustainable development, climate change and the impact of urban planning on quality of life.
Interesting facts
Architecture was one of the first forms of human creativity. The pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the ancient temples of Greece and Rome are outstanding examples of architecture that has stood the test of time.
Research shows that the environment can affect people’s mood and performance. Spacious, bright rooms with natural lighting have a positive effect on the psychological state, while closed dark spaces can cause a feeling of depression.
Over the centuries, architecture has changed under the influence of different cultures and eras. For example, the Gothic style is known for its tall cathedrals with sharp arches, the Baroque is famous for its splendor and decorativeness, and modernism for its simplicity of form and functionality.
Modern architecture combines innovative technologies, materials and artistic vision. The use of the latest technologies makes it possible to create environmentally friendly buildings that reduce the impact on the environment.
One of the most iconic Ukrainian architectural objects is St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The architecture of this cathedral harmoniously combines elements of the Byzantine and Baroque styles.
Zaha Hadid, one of the most famous architects in the world, distinguished herself with bold, futuristic projects that were ahead of their time. Her work, particularly in London and Azerbaijan, is changing the way public spaces and buildings can be.
In connection with the climatic challenges of today, architects are increasingly focusing on the sustainability of buildings. New designs include energy-efficient systems, green roofs, recyclable materials, and the integration of nature into the urban environment.
World Bullying Prevention Day
Every year on the first Monday of October, World Anti-Bullying Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the problem of bullying in schools, workplaces and society in general. This day is designed to unite people in the fight against bullying, support victims of bullying and spread the ideas of tolerance and mutual respect.
Interesting facts
Bullying can be physical, emotional or social. This phenomenon also includes cyberbullying, which spreads through social networks and online platforms.
Victims of bullying often suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and may experience social isolation. Bullying can also lead to serious mental health consequences, including suicide among young people.
Many countries have campaigns to combat bullying in schools and workplaces. Organizations like Stomp Out Bullying in the US raise awareness and provide resources to help victims.
Cyberbullying has become a serious problem with the development of social networks. About 37% of young people were bullied on the Internet, and every second victim did not tell adults about it.
In Ukraine, bullying is an actual problem, especially in the school environment. In 2019, a law was passed that introduces fines for bullying and obliges schools to work to prevent this phenomenon. Educational programs and campaigns are also being actively implemented to increase the level of tolerance among students.
On World Anti-Bullying Day, people in many countries wear blue to symbolize solidarity with victims of bullying and support campaigns to combat this problem.
Prevention of bullying largely depends on the active participation of adults – parents, teachers and school administrators. They can teach children empathy, effectively respond to bullying and create a safe environment for communication.
The day of the bald and free
This is an unofficial holiday that is celebrated annually by people who are proud of their baldness or those who simply decided to emphasize their uniqueness and freedom from stereotypes about their appearance. It is a kind of celebration of individuality, confidence and freedom of choice.
The history of the Day of the Bald and Free is closely intertwined with the evolution of public perception of baldness. The first attempts to shave the head and face can be traced back to the Stone Age. Back then, people used pointed shells and tweezers to get rid of hair. In ancient Egypt, head shaving was common among priests and common people due to the hot climate. The Egyptians even developed special tools for shaving made of gold and copper, emphasizing the importance of this procedure. In ancient Rome, it also had a symbolic meaning of purity and order.
In the 20th century, particularly at the end of the 1950s, balding became a popular trend among men who wanted to emphasize their masculinity, confidence and strength. Such an image was associated with discipline and inner stability. Famous personalities — celebrities, politicians, musicians and athletes — joined the popularization of this style. In the 1990s, the bald look became a true fashion trend thanks to figures such as Michael Jordan, Evander Holyfield and Bruce Willis. Their image not only reinforced the idea that baldness is stylish, but also inspired people to accept their own appearance.
The idea of Bald and Free Day was initiated by Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy, founders of Wellcat Herbs. They created this holiday to encourage both men and women to shave their heads and take pride in their appearance. Although the exact date of the first celebration is unknown, this day has become a symbol of freedom from social stereotypes and support for people who choose to be bald.
Interesting facts
Bald heads have long ceased to be a sign of age-related changes or hair loss. Nowadays, many men and women consciously choose this style, because it gives them charisma and expressiveness. In today’s pop culture, such style icons as Bruce Willis, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Vin Diesel have made the bald head a true symbol of courage and confidence.
Baldness had different meanings in different eras. In Ancient Egypt, it symbolized purity and wisdom, and in some religious traditions (for example, Buddhism), shaving the head was an act of renunciation of the material world.
Bald people often joke that they don’t waste time on hair styling and shampoos, but there is also a positive aspect for health — a bald head promotes better thermoregulation of the body and is often easier to care for.
Choosing to be bald is often associated with confidence and freedom. People who consciously choose this style emphasize their independence from beauty standards and the ability to accept themselves as they are.
The holiday also reminds that people with any appearance deserve respect and acceptance. Many initiatives support those who are losing their hair due to medical reasons such as alopecia or chemotherapy, showing that baldness can be more than just a style, but also a symbol of strength.
The first use of the word “jazz”
On October 6, 1917, the word “jazz” was first used in the American publication “Literary Digest”, where it was described as music that “makes people tremble, jump and contort.” This was the beginning of the official recognition of this musical genre in popular culture.
Answering the question “What is jazz?”, the legendary musician Louis Armstrong remarked:
“Friend, if you have to ask, you’ll never understand.”
It emphasizes the special nature of jazz that cannot be described in words – it is music that has to be felt.
Jazz was called differently: both music for the rich and music for the poor. However, regardless of social status, jazz has always been music for the intelligent, for those who know how to appreciate freedom of creativity and improvisation.
Interesting facts
Jazz is a genre that is based on free expression. Improvisation is its central element, allowing each musician to create unique music in the moment.
In the 1920s and 1930s, jazz became a symbol of social change and the struggle for equality, particularly in the United States. Performed by musicians of different races, it became a symbol of integration and freedom.
Jazz emerged from musical genres such as ragtime and blues, which were based on African rhythms and melodies. These elements of jazz make it multifaceted and emotionally rich.
It is not surprising that jazz was not honored in regimes that restricted freedom. For example, in Nazi Germany, jazz was banned because of its association with a “free” lifestyle and its connection to African-American culture.
Jazz also greatly influenced the development of the film industry. Film soundtracks often used jazz compositions, especially during the era of classic Hollywood films.
Jazz can be interpreted in different ways, but the fact remains unchanged: it is the music of freedom, creativity and deep self-expression.
The first images of the far side of the Moon
October 7, 1959 became a day that forever entered the history of space exploration. the Soviet satellite “Luna-3” under the leadership of Sergey Pavlovich Korolev took the first ever pictures of the far side of the Moon, something that until that moment remained a mystery to mankind. The reception of the signal was carried out at the Simeiz observatory in the Crimea, and when these long-awaited images finally ended up in the hands of Korolev, he wrote a simple but touching phrase on the back of one of the photographs:
“…the first photograph of the far side of the Moon that was not supposed to come out. Korolev. October 7, 1959”.
This underscored just how great the risk and uncertainty involved in this mission was.
One of the most interesting facts related to the Luna-3 mission was that there were even bets on its success. The famous French winemaker Henri Mer made a bet with the Soviet consul for a thousand bottles of champagne, convinced that the Soviet satellites would not be able to get pictures of the far side of the moon. However, after the successful completion of the mission, when the world saw these historic photos, the Academy of Sciences of the USSR received a thousand bottles of champagne as proof of the victory in this unusual pair.
The shooting materials were sent to three leading astronomical institutions of the USSR: the Main Astronomical Observatory in Pulkovo, the Astronomical Observatory of Kharkiv University and the State Astronomical Institute named after P. K. Sternberg of Moscow State University. Based on the data obtained, scientists created the “Atlas of the Back of the Moon”, and later – the world’s first lunar globe.
This mission was a real breakthrough for science. Until then, no one had seen the far side of the Moon, because our natural satellite always faces the Earth only on one side due to synchronous rotation. Thanks to Luna-3, scientists were able for the first time to study and systematize data about that part of the Moon that was hidden from the human eye.
In 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission, American astronauts flew over the far side of the Moon for the first time, confirming the accuracy of the images obtained by the Soviet satellite. This was another step on the way to the future landing of a man on the moon, which took place a year later.
Interesting facts
The Luna-3 mission not only opened new horizons in space exploration, but also showed that the competition between the superpowers in the space sphere was accompanied by unexpected moments, such as a match for a thousand bottles of champagne.
The images obtained by “Luna-3” were so revolutionary that they made it possible to create not only an atlas, but also the first globe of the Moon, which became a symbol of scientific achievements of that time.
The Luna-3 mission was only the third in a series of Soviet lunar explorations, but it was the one that brought the most groundbreaking discoveries, far ahead of American programs at the time.
