On September 10, the world celebrates Adult Education Week and World Suicide Prevention Day.
On September 10, 2008, one of the most important events in the field of elementary particle physics took place – the start of the Large Hadron Collider.
On September 10, 1988, the first comedy film competition “Golden Duke” opened in Odessa.
On September 10, 1977, the last guillotine execution took place in the history of Europe.
Adult Education Week
In the second decade of September, from September 10 to 16, Adult Education Week is celebrated every year. This international holiday was started in 1999 on the initiative of UNESCO and is supported in more than 50 countries of the world, including Ukraine. Its aim is to draw attention to the importance of lifelong learning and to increase educational opportunities for adults.
Interesting facts
UNESCO emphasizes that adult education is the key to increasing employment opportunities and social integration. The main idea of this week is that learning doesn’t have to end with getting a degree. In a rapidly changing world, constant updating of knowledge and skills becomes an important condition for a successful career and self-development.
Adult Education Week is actively celebrated in many countries, including Germany, Great Britain, Canada and Australia. In Ukraine, this week is also supported by educational institutions, organizations and public initiatives that hold various seminars, trainings and master classes for adults.
In Ukraine, interest in adult education is growing every year. Retraining programs for veterans, digital literacy courses, and upskilling initiatives among the population seeking to improve their opportunities in the labor market play an important role in this.
During Adult Education Week, many free lectures, trainings and webinars are offered to help people improve their qualifications, acquire new skills or gain education in new areas. This promotes the concept of lifelong learning.
Research shows that adults who continue to learn and develop their professional skills are more likely to earn higher wages and maintain stable employment, especially in the face of global economic change.
Learning as an adult promotes cognitive development, improves mental health, and even helps reduce the risk of depression, as the learning process stimulates brain activity.
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This date was established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003 to raise awareness of the problems associated with suicide and to implement measures aimed at its prevention. Every year this day draws attention to the complex and important topic of mental health and social support.
Interesting facts
According to the WHO, every year about 703 thousand people end their lives by suicide. That’s more than 1 death every minute. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15-29.
Every year this day is held under a certain slogan. For example, the theme of the 2024 campaign is “Creating hope through action”, which emphasizes that we can all contribute to mental health and help reduce suicide rates by offering support to those in crisis.
According to statistics, each suicide seriously affects at least six other people – relatives, friends or colleagues who need psychological help after the loss.
Major risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, including depression and anxiety, as well as drug or alcohol addiction, economic hardship, social isolation, and experiencing severe trauma or loss.
Some countries have higher suicide rates. For example, Lithuania, South Korea and Russia stand out among the countries with a high suicide rate.
Many countries have hotlines for support and psychological help. There are national services in Ukraine, such as the La Strada Helpline, which can provide advice and help in crisis situations.
Every year on this day, various information campaigns are held, including flash mobs, memory actions and educational seminars, to remind society about the importance of emotional support and the need to talk about your problems.
Historical events on this day
1856 – The end of the Crimean War and the defeat of the Russian Empire
In 1856, one of the most significant wars of the mid-19th century ended – the Crimean War, which had been going on since 1853. It was a military conflict between a coalition of the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain, the French Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia against the Russian Empire. Russia was defeated, which was a significant blow to its international authority and military power. The main goal of the coalition was to prevent the spread of Russian influence in the Balkans and the Middle East. The end of the war with the signing of the Peace of Paris led to Russia’s loss of influence in the Black Sea, as the Black Sea was declared a neutral zone, which greatly limited the Russian fleet in the region.
1919 – Conclusion of the Saint-Germain Treaty at the Paris Peace Conference
On September 10, 1919, as a result of the end of the First World War, the Treaty of Saint-Germain was concluded at the Paris Peace Conference. This treaty became an important moment in the formation of new borders in Europe after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. According to the terms of the treaty, Romania received Bukovina, Czechoslovakia – Transcarpathia, and Galicia was transferred to the administration of the Entente. This treaty finally cemented the disintegration of the multinational Austria-Hungary, which effectively ceased to exist as a state.
1920 – Adoption of the constitution of the Republic of Austria
After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the newly created Republic of Austria adopted its first constitution in 1920. This constitution officially declared the country a “federal state” with broad autonomy for its regions. The new system provided local authorities with significant rights and powers, which contributed to the stability of the new state in the conditions of the post-war crisis. Despite the loss of its former imperial power, Austria began the path to democratization and recovery.
1941 – Mass shootings in Kyiv prisons
In September 1941, during the retreat of Soviet troops from Kyiv, the Soviet special services committed a terrible crime. In several Kyiv prisons, all prisoners were shot without trial or investigation. This act of mass terror was part of the NKVD tactic of exterminating prisoners before the possible occupation of the city by German troops, so that they would not become a threat or be released by the Germans.
1943 – UPA battle near the village of Novy Zahoriv in Volyn
On September 10, 1943, one of the most heroic episodes of the struggle of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) against the Nazi occupiers took place. Near the village of Novy Zahoriv in Volyn, several dozen insurgents engaged in an unequal battle with numerically superior German troops. Despite the huge advantage of the enemy in terms of equipment and numbers, the UPA fighters courageously held the defense, demonstrating stability and courage, which became a symbol of the struggle of Ukrainians for independence.
1989 – Opening of Hungary’s western borders for refugees from East Germany
On September 10, 1989, Hungary took an important step towards the unification of Germany and the fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. The opening of the western borders to refugees from East Germany was the first breach in the Berlin Wall. Thousands of East Germans took the opportunity to leave for the West, which increased pressure on communist governments and contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
1993 – Adoption of the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on honoring the victims of the Holodomor
On September 10, 1993, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution “On commemorating the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine in 1932-1933.” This document became an important step on the way to official recognition and commemoration of the millions of Ukrainians who died as a result of the artificially organized famine of the Soviet regime. The resolution laid the foundation for the annual commemoration of commemorative events aimed at preserving the historical memory of one of the most terrible tragedies in the history of Ukraine.
2001 – Mass methanol poisoning in Pärnu, Estonia
On September 10, 2001, the city of Pärnu in Estonia was rocked by a tragedy – mass methanol poisoning caused by the consumption of counterfeit alcohol. As a result of this disaster, 68 people died, and more than 100 people were seriously poisoned. The tragedy drew attention to the problem of illegal production and distribution of alcohol products, prompting large-scale inspections and anti-counterfeiting measures in the Baltic states and across Europe.
Start of operation of the Large Hadron Collider
September 10, 2008 One of the most important events in the field of elementary particle physics took place in 2015 – the start of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This is a unique scientific facility located on the border of two countries – Switzerland and France. The collider is the world’s largest particle accelerator and has a 26.6 km long tunnel that is laid about 100 meters underground. The cost of the project at the time of launch was about 4.6 billion euros, and its creation became possible thanks to the combined efforts of many countries and scientific institutions within the framework of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
VAK was developed to conduct experiments in the field of studying elementary particles. It enables scientists to explore the fundamental laws of physics and the structure of the universe. The main goal was to experimentally test the theoretical predictions of particle physics and to search for new elements and interactions that were not previously known.
If we explain the work of the Large Hadron Collider in simple words, then it is a huge particle accelerator. The collider is capable of accelerating protons or heavy ions to near-light speeds using powerful electromagnetic fields. The particles move in circles in the tunnel, interacting with magnets that guide their trajectory and electromagnetic fields that give them energy. Once the particles reach their maximum speed, they collide with each other, creating colossal collisions that recreate conditions similar to those that existed in the universe moments after the Big Bang.
One of the most famous achievements of the HAC was the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, which confirmed a hypothesis put forward in the 1960s and allowed scientists to explain how elementary particles acquire mass. This discovery was an important step in understanding how the universe is built and what laws govern it.
In addition, the HAC provides an opportunity to investigate such important questions as:
- The study of dark matter and dark energy, which make up a large part of the universe, but are still little known.
- The search for new kinds of particles that could help understand the nature of gravity and other fundamental forces.
- Testing supersymmetry theories and other alternative models of physics beyond the Standard Model.
VAK is not only a technical achievement, but also an international project in which thousands of scientists from all over the world participate. The work of the collider shows how the joint efforts of many countries can lead to revolutionary discoveries. Its infrastructure, which includes sophisticated detectors and data analysis systems, is unprecedented in its scale and capabilities.
Although the HAC has been operational since 2008, it continues to be a key tool for new scientific discoveries. Upgrades and upgrades planned for the coming years will further increase the energy of collisions and expand the possibilities for conducting experiments.
The Large Hadron Collider remains an important object for the future of science, as it helps answer fundamental questions about the origin of the universe and its deepest structures.
“Golden Duke” comedy film competition
From September 10 to 17, 1988 In Odessa, the first comedy film competition “Golden Duke” took place, which became an important event in the cultural life of the city and the entire cinematographic community. The competition was named in honor of Duke de Richelieu, the first mayor of Odessa, who made a significant contribution to the development of the city. It should be noted that the competition was held in the building of the Odessa Opera House, which added even greater solemnity and symbolism to the event.
“Golden Duke” became the first official competition for comedy films, which was quite unusual for the cinematic life of the time, when most film festivals were devoted to more serious themes or dramas. The contest became an important cultural step for Odessa, which has always been famous for its humor and satirical traditions.
The name of the contest had a deep historical meaning, because Duke de Richelieu, being the first mayor of Odessa, played an important role in the formation of the city, and his name became a symbol of Odessa. The choice of his name for the name of the festival emphasized the importance of Odessa’s cultural heritage and its connection with humor and comedy.
The “Golden Duke” competition quickly attracted the attention of cinematographers throughout the country. The participants were the best comedy directors, actors and screenwriters of that time. The festival became a platform for demonstrating new approaches to the comedy genre, emphasizing the importance of light but deep humor in difficult times.
The competition also helped further the development of the comedy genre in cinema, giving directors and actors the opportunity to be recognized for their achievements in this field. Odesa, as you know, had a long tradition of film production, and the “Golden Duke” competition became a logical continuation of these traditions.
The last execution by guillotine in the history of Europe
September 10, 1977 In the prison of the city of Aix-en-Provence (Marseille, France), the last execution by guillotine took place in the history of Europe. The last to be executed was an emigrant from Tunisia, Hamid Jandoubi, who was sentenced to death for the torture and murder of 22-year-old Elizabeth Bousquet. This event marked the historic end of the era of the guillotine as a means of execution in Europe.
The beheading device was named after the French physician and anatomy professor Joseph Ignace Guillotin, although Guillotin himself did not invent the device. He merely proposed it as a more humane method of execution, compared to other methods of the time, such as hanging, quartering, or burning at the stake. The guillotine believed that the execution should be carried out quickly and with minimal suffering for the condemned, and the guillotine ensured instant beheading.
The guillotine also had a democratic purpose. By design, it was supposed to equalize everyone in the rights to a “dignified” execution, regardless of social status. Prior to this, nobles were punished by beheading with a sword or ax, while the rest of the condemned were often executed in more painful ways. The guillotine symbolized equality in punishment, which corresponded to the ideals of the French Revolution.
On March 20, 1792, the French National Assembly officially approved the use of the guillotine as the main means of execution. However, not all French were satisfied with the guillotine. Many believed that this method of execution was not spectacular enough. Compared to other public executions, the guillotine looked “simpler”, and it did not bring the expected emotional impressions of the crowd. Nevertheless, the efficiency of this device was impressive – the executioner could perform 12 executions in 13 minutes. This greatly exceeded the speed of other methods, which undoubtedly simplified the process of execution of death sentences.
Despite its effectiveness and long history of use, the guillotine gradually fell out of use. For 189 years, this device was used for capital punishment in France, but in September 1981, the death penalty was officially abolished in the country, which marked the end of the era of the “death machine”.
