On September 17, the Day of Civil Defense Workers of Ukraine, Adoption Day in Ukraine, and World Patient Safety Day are celebrated.
On September 17, 1927, Anatoliy Fedorovych Kony, an outstanding lawyer who became famous in the world for his incorruptibility, honesty and dedication to his profession, passed away.
On September 17, 1857, Kostiantyn Eduardovych Tsiolkovsky was born – an outstanding scientist and inventor who made a huge contribution to the development of space research, a philosopher and a teacher.
Day of Civil Defense Workers of Ukraine
Every year on September 17, a professional holiday is celebrated in Ukraine – the Day of Civil Defense Workers. This holiday was introduced by the Decree of the President of Ukraine in 2004 and is dedicated to those who ensure the country’s security and preparedness for emergency situations. Civil defense of Ukraine has a rich history that dates back to the times of the Soviet Union. After gaining independence, Ukraine created its own system to protect the population from natural and man-made disasters.
During the war in Ukraine, the role of civil defense became especially important. In addition to eliminating the consequences of natural disasters or man-made accidents, they rescue people during rocket attacks, free them from the rubble of buildings, help with the evacuation of the population from dangerous regions, and also provide first aid to the victims. In addition, rescuers play an important role in mine safety by demining areas, which reduces the risk of civilian casualties from explosive devices. Their work in conditions of constant danger requires exceptional courage, determination and professionalism, because they often risk their own lives to save others.
During the war, rescuers become one of the main symbols of support and protection of the population, because they directly help people in the most difficult moments. Their dedication and sacrifice are invaluable to a society facing the daily challenges of war.
Interesting facts
Ukrainian civil defense units take an active part in international missions to eliminate the consequences of natural disasters. For example, they helped eliminate the consequences of earthquakes in Turkey and Italy.
One of the key tasks of civil defense workers is to teach citizens basic safety rules and provide first aid in case of emergencies. In recent years, many trainings have been conducted among schoolchildren and adults.
In the work of civil defense workers, the latest technologies are increasingly being used, such as drones for monitoring forest fires or thermal imaging to search for people under rubble.
Adoption Day in Ukraine
Adoption Day is a relatively young holiday in Ukraine, celebrated annually on September 17. This is a special day when society pays tribute to families who have adopted orphaned children into their homes, as well as to those who work to protect children’s rights. The holiday was first introduced in 2009 in order to popularize adoption and draw attention to the problems of orphanhood.
The introduction of Adoption Day in Ukraine is evidence of how important the issue of raising children in a family environment is. Children left without parental care have the right to a family, and the state takes significant steps to stimulate the adoption process.
Interesting facts
The day of adoption coincides with a great religious holiday – the Day of the icon of the Mother of God “Unburnt Kupina”. It symbolizes the protection and care that a family should provide to their children.
In recent years, there has been a positive trend in Ukraine regarding the increase in the number of children who find new families. National support programs for adoptive parents play a special role in this.
Ukrainian children also find families abroad, but the state gives priority to internal adoption, trying to ensure that children have the opportunity to stay in their native country.
The Government of Ukraine has introduced a number of programs that provide financial assistance and counseling support for families who have decided to adopt a child. This encourages more families to participate in the adoption process.
Special attention is paid to the adoption of children with disabilities, for whom conditions are created for integration into the family environment. Such families receive additional state support.
World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day, launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, is celebrated around the world on September 17 every year. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to patient safety issues in healthcare systems and to encourage global efforts to reduce harm to patients.
The theme of World Patient Safety Day 2024 is “Ensuring Safe Hospitals”, which focuses on making hospitals and health care facilities safer places for patients and healthcare workers.
Interesting facts
According to the WHO, every year millions of patients around the world are harmed by unsafe medical procedures, medical errors and other hazards in health care systems. As a result, there was a need for a global initiative to raise patient safety standards.
Every year on this day, famous buildings are symbolically illuminated in orange, the international color of patient safety. For example, in past years, such structures were the London Eye, Niagara Falls and other iconic objects around the world.
One of the key approaches to patient safety is the active participation of patients themselves in treatment processes. It has been proven that informed patients who cooperate with doctors and medical staff are less likely to become victims of medical errors.
More and more countries are introducing programs to improve patient safety at the level of government initiatives. Such measures include improving the medical error monitoring system, improving the training of medical personnel, and improving the quality of medical services.
Historical events on this day
14 years — Tiberius Claudius Nero became the emperor of Rome, taking the name Tiberius Caesar Augustus. He was the second emperor after Octavian Augustus and ruled until 37. His reign was marked by the strengthening of imperial power, but also by numerous repressions among senators.
335 year — The opening of the tomb of Christ in Jerusalem by order of the Roman emperor Constantine. This became an important event for the Christian world, because Jerusalem became a place of mass pilgrimage of believers.
1156 year — Creation of the Duchy of Austria. This act became an important stage in the formation of the statehood of Austria, which later turned into one of the most powerful European empires.
1394 year — King Charles VI of France issued a decree to expel Jews from the country. It was one of many waves of anti-Semitism that swept through Europe during the Middle Ages. The expulsion of the Jews was a major blow to the French economy, as Jewish communities played an important role in trade and finance.
1598 year — Dutch sailors discovered the island of Mauritius. This discovery became an important event for the development of European colonial possessions in the Indian Ocean. Later, Mauritius became an important trade and strategic center for many European states.
1631 year — A battle took place near Leipzig between the Protestants and the troops of the Catholic League, in which the Protestants were defeated. This event is part of the Thirty Years’ War, which brought great destruction and divided Europe into religious camps.
1678 year — According to the Treaty of Nieuwegen, France and Spain returned the conquered territories to each other. This agreement helped to end the military conflicts between these countries and contributed to the stabilization of European borders for a while.
1787 year — The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia adopted the new US Constitution, which became the basis for the country’s legal system and remains valid to this day. This event was of great importance for the development of democracy in the world.
1809 year — Signing of the Friedrichsham peace between Russia and Sweden. Under the terms of the agreement, Finland came under the control of the Russian Empire with the rights of autonomy. It was a turning point for Finland that affected its historical development.
1924 year — The world’s first private international school was opened in Geneva. This institution became an important event for the development of education and later became an example for the creation of other international schools.
1944 year — The Dutch airborne operation began, which became the largest operation in history. The Allies sought to liberate Holland from Nazi occupation, but the operation ended in failure.
1948 year — Swedish diplomat Folke Bernadotte was killed in Jerusalem, who was carrying out a mission to establish peace in the Middle East. This tragedy was a shock for the international community.
1989 year — In Chernivtsi, the first republican festival of the Ukrainian song “Chervona Ruta” was held, which became a symbol of the revival of Ukrainian culture and national identity during the years of perestroika.
1991 year — The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine was created — an important stage in the process of building an independent Ukrainian state after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
1993 year — The last units of Russian troops left the territory of Poland, which marked the end of the long-term presence of Soviet troops in the country and an important stage on Poland’s path to European integration.
2011 year — Occupy Wall Street protests began in New York, becoming one of the most visible protest campaigns against social inequality and the policies of large corporations in the United States.
On September 17, 1927, Anatoly Fedorovich Kony passed away
On September 17, 1927, Anatoly Fyodorovych Kony, an outstanding lawyer who became famous for his incorruptibility, honesty and dedication to his profession, passed away. He served as a judge and prosecutor, was a famous teacher, writer and literary figure. Kony had the title of honorary academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences in the field of literature, was a doctor of criminal law at Kharkiv University and a professor at Petrograd University. His contribution to legal science and judicial practice was evaluated at the highest level.
Special glory to Anatoly Fedorovych was brought by his activity as a brilliant orator. At the court sessions in which he participated, huge crowds of people came to listen to his speeches. His collection “Court Speeches”, which was first published in 1888, survived five editions and made Kony widely known among lawyers and intellectuals. His speeches became a model for many generations of lawyers.
Kony’s deep erudition, cordiality, sharp mind and sympathetic attitude towards people conquered many contemporaries. He was called “a great intercessor for all the humiliated and offended”, emphasizing his desire to help those in need of protection.
It is interesting that even after the events of 1917, when many famous figures were outside the boundaries of the new society, Kony was not “thrown overboard”. He continued to teach the art of eloquence to new listeners, monitored the purity of the language, held lectures and conversations about the meaning of life. Most importantly, he found a common language with the new generation. In his speeches, Kony repeatedly emphasized the importance of conscientious enforcement of laws, emphasizing:
“The best rules lose their validity if they are applied in bad faith, rudely and without proper experience.”
He also believed that if the government violates the laws, the people have the right to revolution.
Anatoly Fedorovych divided his life into four periods:
“I was a fool until I was twenty, from twenty to forty – youth, from forty to sixty – creative flourishing, and then – old age.”
It is his personal attitude to life and self-reflection that testify to his deep wisdom and capacity for introspection.
Konstantin Eduardovych Tsiolkovskyi was born on September 17, 1857
On September 17, 1857, Kostyantyn Eduardovych Tsiolkovsky was born – an outstanding scientist, inventor, philosopher and teacher. His parents were Polish nobles, but despite his noble origins, Tsiolkowski’s education was limited: he completed only three grades, but his thirst for knowledge was so great that he continued to study on his own. This allowed him to reach great heights in science and become one of the founders of theoretical cosmonautics.
Tsiolkovsky made a huge contribution to the development of space research. He justified the use of rockets for flights into space and first proposed the idea of the need for multi-stage rockets, which later became the basis for spaceships. One of his most important scientific achievements was the substantiation of the concept of “rocket trains”, which became the prototype of modern multi-stage space vehicles.
Konstantin Eduardovych was also known as the author of science fiction works and an active propagandist of the ideas of space exploration. He believed that humanity should go beyond Earth and populate outer space with the help of orbital stations. Among his ideas were the space elevator, hovercraft, and the habitation of the planets of the solar system. He predicted that the development of life on other planets could reach such heights that it would overcome the forces of gravity and spread life throughout the universe.
Tsiolkovsky also expressed bold thoughts about the possibility of human existence in atmosphereless space. He believed that humans should first establish space settlements in orbits around the Earth, then expand their presence to the entire solar system and explore the Milky Way.
One of his most interesting ideas was the theory of immortality, based on the “adventures of atoms”. The scientist claimed that the important thing is not the organisms themselves, which are mortal by nature, but atoms and their combinations, which are the real carriers of life. According to this theory, atoms are eternal — they move from one object to another, create new forms of life, destroy and be reborn again.
The scientist was a great optimist about the future of humanity. He believed that over time suffering on Earth would cease, humanity would overcome ignorance, cruelty, pride and weakness. In his opinion, an era of lasting happiness and harmony will come in the future.
His quotes reflect deep philosophical considerations and faith in progress:
“New ideas must be supported. Only a few have the courage to do this, but this quality of people is very precious.”
“Time may exist, but we do not know where to look for it. If time exists in nature, it has not yet been discovered.”
“Earth is the cradle of the mind, but you cannot live forever in the cradle.”
“The main motive of my life is to do something useful for people, not to live life in vain, to advance humanity at least a little. That is why I was doing something that gave me neither bread nor strength. But I hope that my works, perhaps soon, or perhaps in the distant future, will give society mountains of bread and an abyss of power.”
Today, Tsiolkovsky’s achievements remain a source of inspiration for many, including modern space explorers. The famous inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk has repeatedly noted that Tsiolkovsky is his idol and inspired him to study space. One of the conference halls of the company SpaceX is even named in honor of Tsiolkovsky, which once again emphasizes his enormous influence on modern science and space exploration.
