On September 25, World Pharmacist Day, World Dream Day, and World Lung Day are celebrated.
September 25, 2016 became a black day for the patrol police of Ukraine, when police officers tragically died in the Dnipro river while performing their duties.
On September 25, 2020, one of the worst air crashes in the history of independent Ukraine occurred – a military plane crashed during a training flight near the city of Chuguyeva, Kharkiv Region, killing 19 cadets and 7 crew members of the Kharkiv National University of the Air Force named after Ivan Kozhedub.
On September 25, 1818, the English doctor James Blundell conducted the world’s first successful human-to-human blood transfusion.
World Pharmacist Day
This holiday is designed to emphasize the important role that pharmacists play in the field of health care and society in general. This is not only a professional holiday, but also a great opportunity to popularize the pharmacist profession, raise awareness of their work and the importance of pharmaceutical science.
The idea of creating World Pharmacist Day belongs to the International Pharmaceutical Federation, which was founded in 1912. In 2009, during the 68th FIP Congress in Istanbul, a decision was officially made to introduce this holiday. September 25 was chosen as the date, because it was on this day that the Federation was created, which today unites pharmacists, scientists and researchers from more than 150 countries of the world.
Interesting facts
The first mentions of people who were engaged in the preparation of medicines can be found in the texts of ancient Egypt, Greece and China. In Egypt, these people were called “preparators”, and in ancient Greece – “pharmakopoioi” (pharmakopoioi), which literally means “medicine makers”.
Many mistakenly believe that pharmacists only dispense prescription drugs. In fact, their work includes verifying the correctness of the prescription, interacting with doctors to clarify dosages, and advising patients on the safety of taking medications.
Did you know that pharmacists deal not only with medicines, but also with cosmetics? Many of the world’s famous cosmetic brands were founded by pharmacists.
More than 4 million pharmacists work in the world. This is one of the fastest growing professions, which is especially important in the era of global pandemics and new challenges in the field of health care.
Pharmacists have played a key role in the creation of many vaccines and drugs. For example, the first smallpox vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner, a pharmacist, and later Albert Sabin, also a pharmacist, created a live polio vaccine.
The word “pharmacy” comes from the Greek word “apotheke”, which means “storehouse”. In ancient times, pharmacies served not only as a place to sell medicines, but also stored rare herbs, tinctures and other medicinal products.
World Dream Day
This holiday encourages people all over the world to think about their most cherished dreams, set goals and develop plans to achieve them. This day inspires not only personal growth, but also positive changes in society.
The idea of creating World Dream Day belongs to personal development instructor Ozzy Chife. In 2012, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, it was decided to establish this holiday. The goal is to inspire people to dream of a better future, both for themselves and for the world as a whole, because dreams are the beginning of great achievements.
Interesting facts
Many outstanding achievements began as dreams. For example, spaceflight became a reality thanks to the dreams of people like Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong. They were inspired by the idea of space exploration and made it their goal.
Scientific studies have proven that visualizing dreams and setting clear goals help in achieving success. People who clearly visualize their dreams and develop a plan to realize them have more chances to succeed than those who only passively hope for a better future.
Dreams are an important aspect of our psyche. They allow us to develop imagination, plan for the future and adapt to change. Even during sleep, the brain continues to work on our problems and goals, turning them into symbolic images.
Dreams and visions of an ideal future have always been a source of inspiration for artists, writers and musicians. For example, Lewis Carroll’s book “Alice in Wonderland” is the result of his fantasies and dreams, and John Lennon’s song “Imagine” calls to imagine a world without borders, where peace and unity reign.
Many famous philosophers, such as Socrates and Plato, spoke about the importance of dreams and imagination in the development of personality. They believed that dreams help a person understand himself, find his place in the world and strive to achieve more.
Many outstanding athletes began their journey with a simple dream of becoming the best. They worked hard, overcoming all difficulties to achieve their goals. For example, Usain Bolt, a famous Jamaican athlete, dreamed of becoming the fastest person on the planet from an early age and achieved this by setting a world record.
World Lung Day
Every year on September 25, World Lung Day is celebrated, an event designed to draw public attention to lung health, prevention of respiratory diseases and the importance of clean air for each of us. This holiday is created to remind about the need to take care of our lungs and promote a healthy lifestyle.
World Lung Day was launched in 2017 at the initiative of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the global problem of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer. FIRS brings together respiratory health organizations and professionals from around the world to work together to fight the spread of disease and improve people’s quality of life.
Interesting facts
The lungs are responsible for supplying oxygen to all organs and tissues of our body. We take about 20,000 breaths a day, each of which provides us with the oxygen we need to live.
If you stretch all the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs, their area will be equal to the area of a tennis court. This ensures maximum exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and air.
Breathing through the nose is a natural air filtering mechanism. Villi and mucus in the nose trap dust particles, bacteria and viruses, preventing them from entering the lungs. It also contributes to optimal humidification and heating of the air before it enters the respiratory tract.
Smoking is the main cause of COPD and lung cancer. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical compounds, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of developing these diseases and improves the quality of life.
Regular physical exercise helps strengthen the respiratory system, increases the efficiency of the lungs and helps reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. Even 30 minutes of walking a day can significantly improve lung function.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In 2019 alone, more than 7 million people died from diseases related to air pollution.
Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children worldwide, and tuberculosis kills about 1.5 million people each year. These diseases significantly reduce the quality of life and require constant medical monitoring.
Historical events on this day
256 – the imperial reign of Mark Claudius Tacitus
Marcus Claudius Tacitus, a military and political figure, became the Roman emperor by the decision of the senate. He came to power after the death of his predecessor Aurelian, and although his reign was short-lived, Tacitus was distinguished by his attempts to restore order in the state and continue the reforms of previous emperors.
1066 – Battle of Stamford Bridge
This day went down in history thanks to the Battle of Stamford Bridge, where King Harold II of England defeated the army of King Harald Hardrad of Norway. It was one of the key moments in England’s preparations for the Norman Conquest, which took place that same year at the Battle of Hastings.
1396 – the battle near Nikopol
The Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Bayezid I, won a decisive victory over the Crusader army led by the Hungarian King Sigismund in the battle near the city of Nikopol (modern Bulgaria). This defeat was a serious blow to the Crusader movement and strengthened the position of the Ottomans in Southeast Europe.
1493 – the second expedition of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus went on a trip to the New World for the second time, with the aim of consolidating Spanish possessions in America. This expedition included 17 ships and about 1,200 people, including soldiers, colonists and priests, which marked the beginning of active colonization of the Caribbean islands.
1555 – Peace of Augsburg and recognition of Protestantism
Under the terms of the Peace of Augsburg, signed between the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the Lutheran princes, Protestantism received the official status of a religion on a par with Catholicism. This decision was the first step towards religious tolerance in Europe, but at the same time it cemented the division between Catholics and Protestants.
1789 – conquest of Hadji Bey by General Jose de Ribas
During the Russo-Turkish war, General Jose de Ribas successfully stormed the Ottoman fortress of Haji Bey, which became a prerequisite for the founding of the city of Odesa. This event played an important role in establishing Russian control over the Black Sea coast.
1789 – the adoption of the Bill of Rights in the USA
The Congress of the United States of America adopted the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which became the basis for the Bill of Rights. These amendments guaranteed basic civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to a fair trial, and became one of the most important documents in the history of democracy.
1914 – baptism of fire of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen
During the First World War, a detachment of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen under the command of Vasyl Semenyuk entered the battle for the first time against the Russian army near the city of Syanik (now Poland). This was the beginning of the active participation of Ukrainian volunteers in the struggle for independence.
1932 – the autonomy of Catalonia
The Spanish government granted Catalonia autonomous status, allowing it to have its own parliament, official language and flag. This step became important in the development of the Catalan national identity, but in the future it led to numerous conflicts between the region and the central government.
1943 – the beginning of the Dnipro Airborne Operation
The Soviet Army launched one of the largest airborne operations of World War II to seize bridgeheads on the right bank of the Dnieper. The operation ended in success, but at the cost of significant losses on both sides.
1960 – launching of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier “Enterprise”
The United States launched the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65). This ship became a symbol of a new era in the naval fleet, combining the power of nuclear energy with the possibility of placing a large aviation group on board.
1992 – opening of the Rhine-Main-Danube canal
This grandiose project, which lasted almost 30 years, connected the Black and North Seas, creating a single waterway between them. The canal became an important trade artery of Europe and contributed to the economic development of the regions through which it passes.
The tragedy of September 25, 2016 in Dnipro: the killing of police officers on duty
September 25, 2016 became a black day for the patrol police of Ukraine, when two patrol police officers, Artem Kutushev and Olga Makarenko, tragically died in the Dnipro while performing their duties. The incident marked the first time in the new patrol’s history that its officers were killed in the line of duty, sparking a wave of public outrage and debate over officer safety.
It all started as a normal working day for police officers. The crew consisting of Artem Kutushev and Olga Makarenko stopped a Citroen car, the driver of which violated traffic rules by crossing a double solid at one of the city’s intersections. During the document check, the driver refused to present them and tried to run away, after which he was detained. He turned out to be Oleksandr Pugachev, a former fighter of the “Tornado” volunteer battalion, who was wanted on suspicion of committing a number of serious crimes, including rape and torture. After the stop, he first tried to avoid the inspection, and later opened fire with Makarov’s pistol at the patrolmen.
Artem Kutushev died on the spot from a fatal head wound. His partner, Olga Makarenko, was seriously injured and died in hospital the same day, despite the efforts of doctors to save her life.
After the shooting, Pugachev, himself wounded in the stomach, fled the scene of the crime in his car. Wounded, he tried to hide and turned to one of the private medical centers in Dnipro, where he was detained by the police. Medical workers recognized him and informed the law enforcement officers, which allowed them to quickly neutralize the criminal. Later, Pugachev was taken to the hospital under escort.
This terrible incident shook the whole of Ukraine, causing a wide resonance in society. The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen police officers and stated the need to strengthen the protection and training of law enforcement officers. Mourning actions were held in many cities of the country in honor of the fallen heroes.
The event also became an occasion for discussion of changes in the legislation aimed at increasing the level of safety of police officers during the performance of official duties. In particular, it was proposed to expand the rights of patrol officers to use firearms in cases of threat to life.
In Dnipro, at the site of the tragedy, a memorial plaque was erected in honor of Artem Kutushev and Olga Makarenko. Every year on September 25, policemen and local residents bring flowers to the memorial, honoring the memory of the dead. They became a symbol of courage and dedication to their profession, despite the dangers and risks. This tragedy reminds us of the importance of supporting and respecting those who risk their lives every day for our safety.
AN-26Sh plane crash near Chuguyev: tragic details and consequences
On September 25, 2020, one of the worst plane crashes in the history of independent Ukraine occurred. During a training flight near Chuguyev, Kharkiv region, an AN-26Sh military plane belonging to Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National University of the Air Force crashed. There were 27 people on board, including 20 cadets and 7 crew members. Out of this number, only one cadet managed to survive – Vyacheslav Zolochevsky. Another 26 people died on the spot or from their injuries.
The AN-26Sh aircraft was performing a scheduled training flight, during which the cadets practiced their aircraft control skills. The takeoff took place around 8:38 p.m., and after 40 minutes the crew reported a malfunction of one of the engines. After requesting permission for an emergency landing, the aircraft began to descend, but was unable to land successfully due to technical problems.
According to preliminary investigation data, the plane’s left engine failed at an altitude of about 400 meters. Despite the fact that the AN-26 has two engines and can theoretically land even if one of them fails, this time the team did not manage to avoid a tragedy. The plane suddenly lost height, touched the ground with a wing and exploded near the Kyiv-Kharkiv highway, not far from the military airfield. As a result of the impact and subsequent ignition, some of the dead received unrecognizable injuries, which made the process of identification difficult.
The investigation of this tragedy lasted several months and revealed a number of serious problems in the technical condition of the aircraft, the organization of flights and the general state of preparation of the aviation fleet.
The main causes of the disaster were named:
- Technical malfunctions of the aircraft. AN-26Sh, which crashed, was released back in 1977. At the time of the disaster, it had already been in operation for over 43 years. Despite the fact that such aircraft often undergo regular technical inspections, their general condition caused concern. Failure of the left engine and possible problems with the operation of the fuel system became fatal.
- Violations in the flight training system. The investigation showed that the crew was not fully prepared to act in an emergency, and the cadets did not have enough experience to control the aircraft at a critical moment.
- Wrong actions of the crew. During the landing, there were a number of maneuvering errors that resulted in an uncontrolled descent and loss of control of the aircraft.
- Problems in the operation of the air traffic control system. On the day of the accident, the airfield was congested due to training flights, which could also affect the coordination of actions between the crew and controllers.
The disaster near Chuguyev was a shock for the whole country. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, announced September 26 as a day of mourning for the dead. Mourning events were held in Kharkiv and other cities, attended by relatives, friends and colleagues of the victims, as well as representatives of the authorities.
The tragedy caused a wave of indignation among the public and military experts about the state of military aviation and the level of training of young cadets. Many mass media published critical materials about the unsatisfactory state of military equipment, which, despite the war in the east of the country, remains outdated and needs immediate updating.
A memorial was erected at the site of the disaster, and the Kharkiv National University of the Air Force named after Ivan Kozhedub regularly holds events dedicated to the memory of the victims. Their names will forever remain in history as an example of courage and dedication to the profession they chose. This disaster once again reminded of how important flight safety and high-quality training of both the equipment and the people who operate it are. It became a painful lesson that requires serious changes in approaches to military education and operation of the aviation park, so that such tragedies never happen again.
The Story of the First Successful Blood Transfusion: James Blundell’s Journey from Music to Medicine
On September 25, 1818, the English doctor James Blundell entered the history of medicine by conducting the world’s first successful human-to-human blood transfusion. This breakthrough became a real revolution in medical practice, because before that all blood transfusion attempts, as a rule, ended in deaths.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the medical society was skeptical of the idea of blood transfusion. English doctors even joked: “Three fools are needed for a blood transfusion: blood is taken from one, blood is infused into another, and the third organizes it all.” Despite all the previous failures, Blundell decided to take a risk and develop a technique that would save lives.
The patient was a woman suffering from heavy bleeding after childbirth. The donor was her husband, who agreed to donate 4 ounces of his blood (about 100 grams). The procedure was performed using a syringe, and the doctor had to repeat it several times. The patient was between life and death for several hours, but later her condition stabilized. This was the first documented case of a successful blood transfusion, although many experts believed that the chance of survival was minuscule – 1 in 100.
After this incident, James Blundell began to systematize his knowledge and develop blood transfusion technology. He created special instruments that facilitated collection and transfusion, and published his research detailing all the difficulties he encountered.
