On September 18, the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Motorcyclists is celebrated in Ukraine, in the world – the Day of Monitoring the Quality of Drinking Resources, the International Day of Reading Electronic Books.
On September 18, 1698, one of the most mysterious prisoners in world history, known as the “Man in the Iron Mask”, was transferred to the Bastille.
On September 18, 1885, large-scale riots broke out in Montreal, caused by the introduction of compulsory vaccination against smallpox, which became one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the fight against epidemics.
The Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Motorcyclists
Every year on September 18, the Day of Remembrance of the dead motorcyclists (bikers) is celebrated in Ukraine. This day was created to honor all motorcyclists who died on the roads of Ukraine, as well as to draw attention to road safety. It was founded in memory of Anna Mishutkina, who tragically died in Simferopol in 2008.
Anna Mishutkina, a motorcyclist from Simferopol, became a symbol of the movement for road safety for bikers after her tragic death in a road accident in 2008. Since then, every year on September 18, Ukrainian bikers gather to honor the memory of their fallen colleagues.
This day is an important event among the Ukrainian biker community. Every year, motorcyclists organize memorial motorcycle runs, visit accident sites and organize memorial events in honor of fallen comrades.
Ukraine is part of the world community of bikers, and such commemorative days are also celebrated in other countries of the world. The purpose of these events is not only to honor the dead, but also to remind all drivers about the importance of following traffic rules.
Mortality statistics among motorcyclists in Ukraine remain high. According to law enforcement agencies, about 25% of fatal traffic accidents involve motorcyclists. This makes the issue of road safety particularly relevant.
Motorcycles are not only transport, but also a symbol of freedom for many. For motorcyclists, the day is not only a day of mourning, but also a day of unity as the biker community comes together for support and a reminder of the importance of being safe on the road.
Day of monitoring the quality of drinking resources
Every year on September 18, the world celebrates the Day of monitoring the quality of drinking resources. This holiday was started in 2003 in order to draw attention to the importance of preserving the purity of water and ensuring access to quality drinking resources. Drinking water is the basis of life, and its availability and quality directly affect human health and the sustainability of ecosystems.
Interesting facts
70% of the Earth is covered with water, but only 2.5% of it is fresh. Of this part, only 1% is available for consumption, the rest of the water is stored in glaciers or is in hard-to-reach places.
More than 2 billion people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water, which leads to numerous diseases, including cholera, dysentery and other infections associated with drinking contaminated water.
Every day about 4 million people die from diseases related to poor quality water, making this day especially important to spread knowledge about the need to monitor water resources.
Microplastics are one of the new global threats to drinking water. Research has found its particles in 83% of tap water samples in major cities around the world. This indicates the need for regular monitoring and water purification.
Monitoring technologies – modern monitoring systems allow monitoring the state of water resources in real time, analyzing the presence of chemical and biological pollutants. Such technologies include remote water quality sensors and artificial intelligence-based data analysis systems.
International day of reading electronic books – September 18
Every year on September 18, the International Day of Reading Electronic Books is celebrated. This holiday was started with the aim of popularizing e-books, which have already become an integral part of modern reading. Thanks to the rapid development of technology, e-books have gained wide popularity among readers all over the world.
Interesting facts
The first electronic book is considered to be the Declaration of Independence of the USA, which was digitized in 1971 by Michael Hart, the founder of the Gutenberg project, the oldest electronic library in the world.
Amazon Kindle, one of the most popular platforms for e-books, appeared in 2007. Since then, it has turned e-reading into a mass phenomenon, offering millions of books available.
Reading e-books is more environmentally friendly than traditional printed publications. According to estimates, the production of one paper copy requires about 2-3 kilograms of wood, while e-books do not require physical resources.
E-books are convenient for use in conditions of insufficient lighting or for people with visual impairments. Readers can adjust screen brightness, font size and other parameters for reading comfort.
More than 20% of the world’s population prefers e-books to paper books due to convenience and affordability. They allow you to store thousands of books in one device, which makes it easier to access literature anywhere and anytime.
Studies show that reading e-books increases reading speed because screen devices have features for easier information retrieval and interactive content.
Historical events of September 18
September 18 is marked in history by a number of important events that affected various spheres of life — from politics and military operations to culture and technology. Here are some of the key moments that happened that day.
96 — the proclamation of Marcus Cocceius Nerva as Roman emperor
After the assassination of Emperor Domitian, who had ruled the Roman Empire since 81 AD, Marcus Cocceius Nerva was proclaimed the new emperor. This event marked the transition of power and laid the groundwork for the stabilization of the empire, although his reign lasted only two years.
1502 — the landing of Christopher Columbus in Costa Rica
During his fourth voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus landed on the coast of present-day Costa Rica. This event became one of the key moments in the discovery of new lands, which later led to the colonization of Latin America.
1810 – declaration of independence of Chile
On September 18, 1810, Chile declared its independence from Spain. This day became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and the beginning of liberation movements throughout Latin America, which later led to the formation of a number of independent states.
1851 – the first copy of the New York Daily Times is published
On this day, the first issue of the New York Daily Times newspaper was published in the USA, which eventually changed its name to The New York Times and became one of the most influential media in the world, shaping the global information picture.
1941 — the destruction of Kyiv’s bridges across the Dnipro
During the German-Soviet war, retreating from Kyiv, Soviet troops blew up bridges across the Dnipro. This was part of a defensive strategy aimed at preventing the advance of German troops.
1947 — the founding of the CIA
In the USA, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was created, the main intelligence and security agency, which will play a key role in international politics and the fight against terrorism in the coming decades.
1965 — Khortytsya Island was declared a state reserve
In Ukraine, Khortytsia Island, an important historical and natural object, was declared a state reserve. This place is closely related to the history of the Ukrainian Cossacks and the preservation of cultural heritage.
1976 — the funeral of Mao Zedong
The funeral of Mao Zedong, leader of the Chinese revolution and chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, was held in China. His death marked the end of an era of radical changes in the country known as the Cultural Revolution.
1981 – abolition of the death penalty in France
France officially banned the death penalty, becoming one of the countries that made a decision in favor of humanity in the judicial system. This became an important step in the struggle for human rights in Europe.
1997 — registration of the Google.com domain
Google, one of the largest technology companies in the world, has registered its domain Google.com. This marked the beginning of an era of rapid development of search technologies, which changed the way of accessing information.
2001 – letters with anthrax spores in the USA
In the US, the first letters with anthrax spores were sent to the offices of the media and senators by mail, which caused panic and became the beginning of a series of acts of bioterrorism. As a result of the infection, five people died, and another 22 were infected.
2014 is a referendum in Scotland
In a referendum in Scotland, 55% of voters voted against independence from Great Britain, choosing to remain part of the United Kingdom.
The Mystery of the Man in the Iron Mask
On September 18, 1698, one of the most mysterious prisoners in history was transferred to the Bastille — prisoner number 64489001, known as the “Man in the Iron Mask.” This mysterious man remained an unsolved mystery not only for his cellmates, but also for historians. Although there are many versions about his personality, it is still not known exactly who this man was.
The mysterious prisoner was in the Bastille until his death on November 19, 1703. At first, he was given a separate room, which indicated a special attitude towards him. However, in 1701, he was placed in the same cell with Dominique François Thirmont, accused of witchcraft and depravity of young girls, and a little later, Jean Alexandre de Rocorville, who was accused of anti-government statements, was placed with them. All these changes were made by order of the king, which only fueled the rumors about the mysterious personality of the prisoner.
The prisoner himself never slandered his identity or the reason for his imprisonment. This gave rise to numerous versions and legends about who he really was. Among the versions are the twin brother of King Louis XIV, the illegitimate child of the Queen by a black page, the son of Oliver Cromwell, or even King Louis himself. There is also an assumption that a woman was hiding behind the mask.
The French writer Alexander Dumas in his work “Famous Crimes” compiled a list of all possible theories about the personality of the prisoner. One of the most original versions is the assumption that several different people have been hiding under the mask over time.
Although his identity remains a mystery, it is known for certain that the prisoner had comfortable living conditions. The mask, contrary to popular belief, was not iron, but made of black velvet. He was constantly watched by two musketeers, ready to kill him at any moment if he tried to escape or reveal his secret.
The prisoner died on November 19, 1703 and was buried under the name “Marchioli”. After his death, all his belongings—furniture, clothes—were destroyed, the walls of his cell were painted over, and metal objects were melted down. Even in the funeral report, his name was deliberately blacked out to keep his identity a secret.
Thus, “The Man in the Iron Mask” remains one of the greatest mysteries of French history, which still arouses the admiration and interest of researchers and fans of mysteries.
Riots in Montreal due to mandatory vaccination
On September 18, 1885, large-scale riots broke out in Montreal, caused by the introduction of mandatory vaccination against smallpox. These events became one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the fight against epidemics, where scientific progress, public fears and political disagreements collided.
On February 28, 1885, a passenger train arrived in Montreal from Chicago, and one of the conductors began to feel unwell. Doctors quickly diagnosed him with smallpox, a deadly infectious disease, and the patient was isolated. However, despite the efforts of doctors, the infection has already begun to spread. In the city, where about 100,000 people lived, up to a hundred new patients were infected every day.
The authorities immediately imposed a quarantine, began mass vaccination and recommended the wearing of masks. However, these measures met with strong resistance from the French-speaking inhabitants of Montreal, who perceived the actions of the English-speaking authorities as a threat. The mayor of the city at the time was English-speaking, which caused mistrust among francophones. They believed that vaccination was an attempt by the Anglophone government to harm their community by causing infertility or even death.
It is worth noting that fears about vaccination in 1885 had a partial basis. Modern sterile syringes that could be subjected to thermal disinfection did not exist at that time. They were invented only 10 years later. Because of this, many people who received the vaccine contracted other dangerous diseases, such as syphilis.
The local press added fuel to the fire by mocking the quarantine measures and saying that the death rate from smallpox was not significant compared to other diseases such as influenza. In addition, supporters of homeopathy and alternative medicine actively opposed vaccination, calling doctors quacks and claiming that the vaccine only harms health.
The situation escalated, and on September 18, 1885, mass pogroms began in Montreal under anti-vaccination slogans. Angry residents attacked doctors’ offices, ransacked state institutions and even tried to set fire to the town hall. English-language newspaper editorials were also attacked because they actively supported vaccination. In response, English-language publications accused francophones of being dirty and unkempt, which only increased the conflict between the two language groups.
To suppress the riots, the army was involved, which acted harshly and sometimes exceeded its powers in relation to civilians. Despite this, mass vaccination was resumed, and by December 1885 the epidemic began to subside.
Despite the resistance, the smallpox epidemic in Montreal was overcome. In February 1886, the mayor, who introduced mandatory vaccination, won a convincing victory in the elections. This episode became an important lesson in the history of public health. Interestingly, almost 100 years later, in 1969, bilingualism was officially introduced in Canada, which helped reduce tensions between the country’s English-speaking and French-speaking communities.
