On September 11, the world celebrates World Anti-Terrorism Day and No News is Good News Day.
On September 11, 2001, the world witnessed one of the most tragic terrorist attacks in history in New York.
On September 11, 1862, one of the most famous classics of American literature, William Sidney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born.
World Anti-Terrorism Day
World Counter-Terrorism Day has been celebrated annually on September 11 since 2008 to raise awareness of the threat of terrorism and support international efforts to combat this problem. This day is dedicated to the memory of victims of terrorist attacks and their families, as well as mobilization of efforts to prevent new terrorist acts.
Interesting facts
The day of combating terrorism was officially established in 2008 by the United Nations, but it was chosen in view of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in the United States, when almost 3,000 people died as a result of terrorist attacks.
This day emphasizes the importance of cooperation between countries in the field of combating terrorism. The UN has created several international instruments and strategies to counter terrorism, including the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
World Counter-Terrorism Day also calls attention to the need for not only military, but also socio-economic measures, such as the fight against poverty, inequality and discrimination, which can reduce the conditions for radicalisation.
According to the Global Terrorism Index, the number of terrorist attacks in the world increased sharply between 2008 and 2014, particularly in the countries of the Middle East and Africa. However, thanks to international efforts, the activity of the largest terrorist groups has decreased in recent years.
Modern technologies, in particular the Internet, have become not only a tool for organizing terrorist attacks, but also an important element in the fight against terrorism. Analytics, cyber intelligence and social media monitoring play a key role in preventing terrorist attacks.
In many countries, civil society plays an important role in preventing radicalization. Local communities, religious leaders and organizations often hold events aimed at increasing the level of tolerance and understanding among different populations.
Day “No news is good news”
No News Is Good News Day is celebrated annually on September 11 and is a reminder of the importance of peace and quiet in a world full of information. This day encourages people to take a break from the constant stream of news, especially negative news, and enjoy the moments when the absence of news is a sign of stability and peace.
The exact origin of this day is unknown, but the very phrase “No news is good news” has deep historical roots. In 1616, the English King James I recorded the opinion that “no news is better than bad news”, expressing hope for periods of calm. In 1640, this phrase was quoted by the English writer James Howell in his book “Familiar Letters”. It is believed that the modern version of this day appeared in the 21st century, when people increasingly felt the need to disconnect from the vast amount of information available on the Internet and on television.
Interesting facts
The day’s slogan emphasizes that in today’s society, where news often focuses on negative events, periods without news can symbolize peace and stability. The absence of sensation or catastrophe is often a sign of peace in the world.
Constant consumption of news, especially those that cause stress, can have a negative effect on mental health. Disconnecting from the news helps to reduce anxiety and improve emotional state. In today’s world, news anxiety is becoming a serious problem, so many people are increasingly choosing to take breaks from the news.
With the growing popularity of social networks and online media, the amount of news consumed daily has increased significantly. This creates additional informational pressure, which often causes overload. Therefore, the idea of this day is becoming more and more relevant.
The absence of news can be positive when there are no emergencies, conflicts or disasters. This allows people to focus on their own affairs and take a break from the constant information load.
On this day, it is recommended to take a break from TV, smartphones and news sites in order to find time for yourself. You can read a book, take a walk in the fresh air or spend time with loved ones without discussing the latest news.
Historically, the phrase “no news is good news” has been used as a symbol of peace and stability. In the 21st century, this philosophy takes on a new meaning in conditions of information overload and the need for psychological rest.
Historical events on this day
9 AD — Battle in Teutoburg Forest
One of the key battles that changed the course of Roman conquests in Germany. In the Teutoburg Forest, Germanic tribes led by Arminius defeated three Roman legions under the command of Publius Quintilius Varus. The Romans lost about 20 thousand soldiers, which was a significant defeat for the Roman Empire and stopped its expansion east of the Rhine. This defeat had lasting effects, as the Romans were unable to regain their influence in these territories.
1297 – Battle of Stirling
The Scots led by William Wallace defeated the army of the English King Edward I during the Scottish War of Independence. This victory became a symbol of the Scottish struggle for freedom. Wallace became a national hero, and the events of the Battle of Stirling became widely known after the release of the film “Braveheart”, which shows the courage of the Scottish people in the fight against English rule.
1609 – Discovery of Manhattan Island
English navigator Henry Hudson, working for the Dutch East India Company, explored the coast of modern New York and discovered Manhattan Island. This discovery became an important event in the history of the colonization of North America, because later one of the largest and most influential cities in the world – New York – arose on this site.
1927 — Earthquake in Crimea
The earthquake on the Southern coast of Crimea caused large-scale destruction, affecting such cities as Sevastopol and Feodosia. This natural disaster was a significant test for the region and required reconstruction work and relief for the victims.
1930 – Agatha Christie’s marriage
Agatha Christie, a famous English writer, married archaeologist Max Mallowan. This marriage was Christy’s second and lasted until her death. During trips with her husband to archaeological digs in the Middle East, Agatha found inspiration for her detective novels, such as “Murder in Mesopotamia”.
1941 — The beginning of construction of the Pentagon
On September 11, 1941, the construction of the Pentagon, the future central headquarters of the US Department of Defense, began in the USA. The Pentagon has become a symbol of the military power of the United States and remains one of the largest buildings in the world.
1943 — German occupation of Rome
During World War II, German forces occupied Rome after Italy surrendered to the Allies. This became one of the key moments of the war on the Italian front, when German forces tried to hold back the advance of the Allied armies.
1943 — Creation of the State Ukrainian Folk Choir
The State Ukrainian People’s Choir was founded in Kharkiv under the leadership of Hryhoriy Veryovka, which became one of the most famous musical ensembles of Ukraine. The choir bears the name of its founder since 1965 and is a symbol of Ukrainian culture and national traditions.
1973 — Military coup in Chile
On September 11, 1973, a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet took place in Chile, during which President Salvador Allende was killed. Allende was the first democratically elected Marxist leader in Latin America. This event marked the beginning of Pinochet’s long dictatorship, which lasted until 1990.
1997 — Referendum in Scotland
On September 11, 1997, a referendum was held in Scotland, in which 63% of voters voted for the creation of a Scottish Parliament. The move is a major milestone in the restoration of self-government, which Scotland has not had for nearly three centuries.
2001 – Terrorist attacks in the USA
September 11, 2001 the world witnessed one of the most tragic terrorist attacks in history. Terrorists hijacked four planes: two of them hit the towers of the World Trade Center in New York, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed near Pittsburgh. As a result, almost 3,000 people died. These events changed the course of international politics and led to the beginning of the “war on terrorism”, which continues to this day.
September 11, 2001 was a day that forever changed the course of history, as the world’s largest terrorist act took place. It was a series of four coordinated suicide attacks organized by members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization on the territory of the United States of America. The victims of those events were 2,977 people (not counting the 19 terrorists): 246 passengers and crew members of the hijacked planes, 2,606 people in New York, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers, as well as 125 people in the Pentagon. Not only US citizens died, but also people from 91 countries of the world.
This tragedy left a deep mark on the world consciousness. Everyone remembers what happened that day, but it is also important to consider what exactly these events changed in the life of modern society.
The United States took the lead in organizing an international coalition to fight terrorism. This led to the military invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. The 5th article of the NATO treaty was activated, which allows the member countries of the alliance to take collective military measures in response to an attack on one of them. Thus, the global “anti-terrorist operation” aimed at combating terrorism throughout the world began.
Many countries such as Great Britain, France, India, Australia, Germany, China and others have made changes in their legislation to increase the level of security. This applied to both foreign and domestic policy. These changes encompassed both the strengthening of national security and the strengthening of counter-terrorism measures.
In response to the attacks, the “Patriot Act” was passed, which allowed special services to significantly expand their powers to monitor citizens, as well as introducing regulations that simplified the control of financial transactions. In addition, a center for the detention of “illegal enemy combatants” was established at the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba, which is still the subject of international criticism for human rights violations.
New security measures at airports have become much stricter. Increased controls when boarding the plane and restrictions on items that can be taken on board have become common for all international passengers. This is one of the most noticeable changes felt by people around the world.
The changes affected the financial sphere as well: control over the movement of funds between countries became tighter due to the fight against the financing of terrorist organizations.
After the terrorist attacks, many countries experienced a significant economic downturn, in particular the United States, where the destroyed twin towers of the World Trade Center were an important financial hub. In addition, the cost of security measures, rising defense spending, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have led to economic hardship.
After the terrorist attacks, the attitude towards Muslims changed. In many countries, stereotypes associating the entire Muslim world with terrorism began to intensify, which led to an increase in xenophobia and intolerance.
After the September 11 terrorist attacks, control over people increased: constant surveillance of citizens, use of technology to monitor their activities became everyday realities. This phenomenon has become a long-term pattern that is likely to remain relevant in the future.
More than 20 years have passed, but instead of stabilizing the world situation, these changes have led to new crises. The number of conflicts has increased, new terrorist organizations and “hot” spots on the world map have emerged. Many military operations taking place today bear the hallmarks of a global conflict reminiscent of the outbreak of World War III.
The tragedy of September 11 not only changed the rules of the game in the international arena, but also led to new problems. Instead of peace and stability, the world has become an even more dangerous and unstable place. Special operations and military conflicts ongoing in different parts of the planet only exacerbate the situation.
Interesting facts for numerologists
Those who are fond of numerology pay attention to the magic of the number “11”. They believe that it is this number that modern people should beware of. And, as an example, we cite several interesting coincidences related to the events of September 11:
- New York is the 11th state of the USA;
- The flight number of the first plane that hit the towers was 11;
- There were 92 passengers on flight 11 (9+2=11);
- Flight 77, which also crashed, had 65 passengers (6+5=11);
- The tragedy happened on September 11 (11.09), which gives 1+1+9=11;
- The total number of dead passengers that day was 254 (2+5+4=11);
- September 11 is the 254th day of the year (2+5+4=11);
- There were 111 days left until the end of the year.
Optimists believe that this day symbolizes the beginning of a new path and a chance for changes for the better.
September 11, 1862 one of the most famous classics of American literature was born – William Sidney Porter, better known under the pseudonym O. Henry. His life, although it lasted only 47 years, was extremely rich and varied. Father Henry worked as a pharmacist, accountant, draftsman, published his own magazine, lived in different cities and even on a cowboy ranch in Texas. However, this is not all the surprises of his biography – he was also hiding from the authorities in Honduras, and was friends with the famous train robber Al Jennings. This rich life experience provided the writer with many subjects for his stories.
The pseudonym O. Henry William Porter chose in the most unexpected place – in prison. He was serving a sentence there on charges of financial fraud, and it was during this period that he began to write under a new name. As he explained in the interview, he took the name “Henry” from the secular news columns he read in the newspaper, and “Oh.” chose because of its simplicity, as the easiest letter. In one of the interviews, he even noted that “Oh.” stands for “Oliver” (French name Olivier), and he did publish several of his stories under the name Olivier Henry. However, the writer and scientist Guy Davenport believed that “O. Henry” is an abbreviation of the name of the prison in which he served his sentence.
There are other versions of the origin of the nickname. One of them claims that the name “O. Henry” comes from a famous cowboy song that has the lines:
“Beloved returned at twelve o’clock. Tell me, O Henry, what is the verdict?”.
Another hypothesis links the pseudonym to the name of the physicist Joseph Henry, whose name Porter’s teacher often mentioned with admiration:
“AT! Henry! It was he who discovered that the discharge of the capacitor through the coil has an oscillating character!”.
It is interesting that the prison itself, where O. Henry was, burned to the ground, destroying possible evidence of the origin of his pseudonym.
In the period from 1899 to 1910, during the last 11 years of his life, O. Henry wrote 273 stories in the genre of humorous prose, which became classics of world literature. His works appeared in 18 volumes, most of them with happy or comic endings. A. Henry was a master of short stories that gave readers joy, hope and faith in human kindness. He perfectly understood how important it is to leave a ray of warmth in people’s hearts, even in the most difficult times.
Some of the most vivid quotes of O. Henry:
- “A hungry heart must have a grain of happiness at least once a year.”
- “It’s not about the road we choose; what is inside us makes us choose this path.”
- “A sleeping man is a sight that can bring tears to the eyes of angels. What are his brains, biceps, checkbook, aplomb, patronage and family connections worth now? And he is as attractive as a hired lock who stands leaning against the wall of the opera house at half past one in the morning and dreams of the expanses of the Arabian deserts. A sleeping woman is a completely different matter. We don’t care how she looks, as long as she stays in this state for as long as possible.”
- “If you take a deposit and then pay out ten percent, it’s pretty obvious that you’re making a legitimate net profit of ninety percent less expenses—as long as the fish bite.”
- “The art of storytelling is to withhold from your listeners everything they want to know until you have poured out your cherished thoughts on all sorts of inappropriate topics. A good story is like a bitter pill, only the sugar is not on the outside, but on the inside.”
- “For the fullness of his life, a person must survive poverty, love and war. But not immediately.”
- “Life is what we value most, and at the same time what we cherish least.”
- “Not a single minute can be bought for cash.”
- Henry left a deep mark in world literature with his skill in creating short, but extremely rich and insightful stories, which are still relevant for readers all over the world.
