On September 23, the world celebrates the International Day Against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children, the Day Against Children’s High School Dropout, and Checkers Day.
On September 23, 1910, Peruvian pilot Jorge “Geo” Chavez made history as the first person to fly across the Alps.
On September 23, 1986, the US Congress decided to recognize the rose as the country’s national floral symbol.
International Day Against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children
This day was established to draw public attention to the problem of modern slavery, which robs millions of people of their freedom and dignity every year. The history of this day begins in 1999, when the Declaration on Combating Sexual Exploitation was adopted as part of the World Conference against Trafficking in Women held in Bangkok. This date was chosen to remind of the need to fight human trafficking, especially sexual slavery, which most often affects women and children.
According to the UN, more than 2 million people are victims of human trafficking every year. 70% of them are women and girls who are sexually exploited. Human trafficking is the third most profitable illegal activity in the world after drug and arms trafficking, generating more than $150 billion a year for criminals.
Interesting facts
After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine became one of the main suppliers of victims for sexual exploitation. Many Ukrainian women and children have been kidnapped or tricked into prostitution in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Modern technologies, including the Internet and social networks, have made it much easier for criminals to recruit victims. About 40% of all sexual exploitation cases begin with online recruitment.
Anti-trafficking organizations are making significant progress in rescuing victims. For example, “Operation Underground Railroad” since its inception has saved more than 6,000 victims worldwide and contributed to the arrest of more than 4,000 criminals.
Some countries, such as Italy, have a special emergency button on phones and computers that allows victims to contact the police immediately if they are in danger.
Some countries, such as Thailand and the Philippines, are known for their high levels of sexual exploitation due to their popularity among tourists. Despite the efforts of governments and international organizations, the tourist sex industry continues to thrive.
Day of struggle against high school dropouts
This day was first organized in 2008 by the French Association of the Student Foundation of the City (AFEV) in collaboration with other organizations. The goal of this initiative is to draw attention to the problem of underachievement of secondary education, which remains relevant even in the modern world.
According to UNESCO, as of 2023, about 244 million children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18 do not have access to education. Of these, more than 77 million do not even attend primary school, and even more do not have the opportunity to complete secondary education.
Interesting facts
The highest rates of secondary school dropout are found in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 34 million children between the ages of 12 and 17 are out of school. This is due to poverty, social conflicts and lack of schools.
Girls drop out of school more often than boys. In some regions of Africa and South Asia, the number of girls who do not have access to education is twice that of boys. The main reasons are early marriage, poverty and gender stereotypes.
The pandemic made the situation even worse. According to UNICEF, more than 1.6 billion students have been forced to stay at home during the lockdown, and about 24 million children may never return to school due to economic hardship and curtailed curricula.
An insufficient level of education reduces the chances of a successful career and increases the risk of falling into poverty. According to the World Bank, each additional year of education increases the average income by 10%.
The UN has set a goal of ensuring access to quality education for all by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, achieving this goal requires significant investment and effort from governments and international organizations.
Checkers Day
Checkers Day is celebrated annually on September 23, a holiday dedicated to one of the oldest intellectual games in the world. This date is a great opportunity for all chess lovers to remember the history of the game, enjoy the games and try new strategies.
The game of checkers has ancient roots, and its history goes back more than 5 thousand years. According to some versions, its prototype originated in Ancient Egypt, and the first game boards were found in the burials of the pharaohs. Later, the game spread around the world, acquiring different variants and names. In the Middle Ages, checkers became popular among the European nobility, and with the development of printing, the first books on checkers theory appeared.
The modern checkers rules we know today were codified in France in the 18th century. Since then, the game continues to develop, new strategies and tactical combinations appear.
Interesting facts
According to psychologists, regular checkers games help to develop logical thinking, improve memory and teach to find non-standard solutions. It is known that playing checkers is recommended to children as a way to improve their academic skills.
There are more than 100 different variations of checkers. Among them, the most popular are Russian, international, English and Brazilian checkers. Each option has its own unique rules and features.
In 2014, checkers became the first board game that they decided to “launch” on Mars. The project was initiated by a group of enthusiasts who created a virtual match between Earth players and a program based on Martian conditions.
The first computer program for playing checkers was created in 1952 by the British scientist Alan Turing. Today, computer programs have reached such a level that they can beat even the strongest players in the world. Checkers became one of the first games in which computers completely “calculated” all possible moves, making the game “solved”.
Checkers is recognized as an official sport in many countries of the world. There are national and international federations that hold championships at various levels. One of the most prestigious tournaments is the World International Chess Championship, where the best players compete for the championship title.
Many famous people were fond of checkers. For example, Napoleon Bonaparte, Albert Einstein and Vladimir Nabokov were avid gamers. They believed that playing checkers helps develop strategic thinking and prediction skills.
There are musical compositions inspired by checkers. For example, the famous composer Salvador Litvinsky wrote a symphony, each part of which corresponds to a certain tactical move in checkers.
Armenia became the first country in the world to introduce checkers into the school curriculum as a compulsory subject for elementary school students. This decision was made in 2011 in order to develop analytical thinking in children.
One of the most famous world records in checkers is the largest number of simultaneous games. In 1993, international grandmaster Iser Kuperman played 88 games simultaneously, winning 80 of them.
Historical events on this day
In 1595 the Spanish government decided not to exterminate the Indian population of the West Indies, but instead to baptize them and organize missions to spread Christianity. This move was an attempt to regulate relations with the native inhabitants and maintain control over the new territories, given the numerous rebellions and resistance of the Indians.
In 1846 astronomers Johann Halle and Henrich Louis d’Arret discovered Neptune, the eighth planet of the solar system. This discovery was made possible thanks to mathematical calculations that predicted the existence of a new planet due to the influence of its gravity on the orbits of other celestial bodies. Neptune is the only planet that was first discovered “on paper” before being observed through a telescope.
In 1913 French aviator Roland Garros became the first person to successfully fly across the Mediterranean Sea. In a Morane-Saulnier G aircraft, he covered a distance of 800 km, flying from Freux in France to Bizerte in Tunisia. This flight became a landmark achievement in the development of aviation, showing the possibilities of new technologies.
In 1932 The Sultanate of Nejd and the Kingdom of Hijaz merged into a new state — the Kingdom of Nejd and Hijaz, which later became known as Saudi Arabia. This unification became a key step in the formation of a modern Arab state, which today is one of the leading economic and political forces in the Middle East.
In 1938 during the World’s Fair in New York, a time capsule was laid, which is planned to be opened only in 6939. A variety of objects and documents reflecting the life of people in the 20th century, including newspapers, wheat seeds and films, were placed in the capsule. It was an attempt to pass on knowledge about modern culture and technology to future generations.
September 23, 1939 the Museum of Fine Arts was founded in the city of Stalino (modern Donetsk). This institution became an important cultural center of the region, where the works of famous Ukrainian and international artists were stored. The museum played a significant role in the preservation and popularization of art in eastern Ukraine.
In 1939 the city of Drohobych, which then belonged to Poland, was handed over by German troops to the Red Army. This was a consequence of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which determined the division of spheres of influence between the Soviet Union and Germany. This decision led to significant changes in the political map of Eastern Europe.
In 1942 British troops occupied the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, displacing the French Vichys who collaborated with Nazi Germany. The operation was of strategic importance for controlling the Indian Ocean and securing sea lanes for the Allies during World War II.
September 23, 1943 Poltava was liberated from the Nazi invaders. This became an important stage in the liberation of Ukraine from German troops during the Second World War. Poltava was of great strategic importance as a transport hub and was an important step in the Red Army’s advance to the west.
In 1944 in accordance with the Lublin Agreement concluded between Poland and the Soviet Union, the resettlement of ethnic Ukrainians from the territory of Poland to the Ukrainian SSR began, and Poles – in the opposite direction. This process affected hundreds of thousands of people and became one of the largest forced migrations in Europe after the war.
In 1945 British-French troops occupied the largest city of South Vietnam – Saigon. This marked the beginning of the restoration of French colonial control over Vietnam after the end of World War II. However, the struggle for Vietnam’s independence continued for many more years, turning into the Vietnam War.
In 1992 the last nuclear explosion was carried out at the nuclear test site in the state of Nevada. This marked the end of the era of active nuclear testing in the United States. After that, the country introduced a moratorium on nuclear tests, which contributed to reducing the nuclear threat in the world and preparing for the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
In 2002 Belgium has become the second country in the world to legalize euthanasia for terminally ill patients, giving them the right to a dignified death. This law caused heated debate not only in Belgian society, but also throughout the world, setting a precedent for other countries that also began to consider similar legislative initiatives.
In 2008 the Android operating system, created by Google, was first introduced and radically changed the market for mobile devices, making them more accessible to the general public. The open code of the system contributed to the rapid development of the application ecosystem and the expansion of the functionality of smartphones. Today, Android is the most popular operating system for mobile devices in the world.
Jorge Chavez’s historic flight across the Alps
On September 23, 1910, Peruvian pilot Jorge “Geo” Chavez made history as the first person to fly across the Alps. His feat became one of the most significant events in aviation at the beginning of the 20th century.
This risky flight was a real challenge for the aviators of that time. At the beginning of the competition, eight pilots decided to take part, but after a detailed examination of the route and the mountain peaks surrounding the pass, most of them gave up the attempt. The Alps seemed impregnable due to their steep slopes, unpredictable weather conditions and thick clouds covering the peaks. However, Jorge Chavez did not back down.
“No matter what happens, they will find me on the other side of the Alps.” he said before the flight, showing incredible determination and courage.
The flight lasted 51 minutes. Jorge Chavez successfully overcame the most dangerous sections of the route, climbing to a height of more than 2,200 meters, and was already approaching his goal. However, at a height of about 30 meters above the ground, the winged apparatus could not withstand the load: the wings of the plane broke, and it began to fall sharply. The fall ended with a hard impact on the ground.
Despite the terrible damage, Jorge Chavez survived and was immediately taken to the hospital. However, his injuries turned out to be too serious: four days later, on September 27, the pilot died of blood loss. His last words, according to the testimony of his friend, pilot Juan Bjelovučić, were: “Higher, always higher.” These words became a symbol of his desire to achieve the impossible and leave a mark in the history of aviation.
Although the young pilot’s life ended tragically, his achievement left an indelible mark on the world. Jorge Chavez became the first pilot who was able to cross the Alps, overcoming all natural obstacles and demonstrating unshakable will and courage. His name entered the history of aviation as an example of courage and determination.
An international airport in the capital of Peru, Lima, is named in honor of Jorge Chavez. Monuments dedicated to the pilot, who became a symbol of the desire for new horizons and an irresistible desire to conquer the sky, have been installed at the places where his last flight began and ended.
The feat of Jorge Chavez still inspires many people who strive to achieve their dreams despite the difficulties. His story is an example of how the human spirit can overcome any obstacle, even if it seems insurmountable. And although his life ended too early, he will forever remain in history as a person who dared to do the unthinkable.
Day of recognition of the rose as a symbol of the USA
On September 23, 1986, the US Congress decided to recognize the rose as the country’s national floral symbol. This decision was a testimony of the great love of Americans for this beautiful flowering representative of flora, which is a symbol of life, beauty, fidelity and eternity.
The text of the law that declared the rose a symbol of the United States states:
“Americans have always admired the flowers with which God decorates our land. Most often, of all flowers, we choose a rose as a symbol of life, love, devotion, beauty and eternity. To express the love between a man and a woman, love for humanity and God, love for their country, Americans who speak the language of the heart will definitely say it with the help of a rose.”
Thus, the rose became not just a flower, but a real symbol of feelings and patriotism. The decision was officially approved by US President Ronald Reagan, who signed the corresponding resolution in the Rose Garden of the White House. The moment became a landmark event that underscored the rose’s importance to American culture and its role in reflecting national values.
The history of the rose as a symbol of love and beauty has deep roots. According to an ancient legend, the rose arose from the sea foam that enveloped the body of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. According to this mythological story, the rose represents not only physical but also spiritual beauty that can enchant and inspire.
The rose came to Europe at the end of the 19th century, and it was brought to America by English immigrants. To this day, the rose remains the flower symbol of England, but in the United States it has acquired its special meaning and has become an important part of cultural heritage.
Every year on the first of January in the United States, the Rose Parade is an exciting celebration accompanied by bright columns and floral compositions created by master florists from different parts of the country. This holiday is part of traditions that symbolize the beginning of a new year and new hopes. Floral platforms decorated with thousands of roses roll through the streets of Pasadena, California, drawing crowds of onlookers and enthusiastic fans.
In American culture, roses have different symbolic meanings depending on the color. A bouquet of red and white roses symbolizes unity, harmony and harmony between different parts of society. An all-red bouquet expresses gratitude, and when presented to a loved one, it is a symbol of passionate love and deep affection. Such a gesture is an integral part of romantic relationships in American society.
The American Rose Society is the oldest horticultural organization in the country. Founded in 1892, it promotes rose cultivation, holds contests and exhibitions, and supports rose lovers across America. Today, this society unites thousands of rose lovers who share experience and knowledge, preserving the centuries-old tradition of growing these beautiful flowers.
Thus, the rose is not only the national symbol of the USA, but also an integral part of American culture and traditions. She personifies all that Americans consider most important: love, devotion, beauty and eternity.
