On September 26, the International Day of Struggle for the Complete Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the World Day of Environmental Health, and the World Day of the Sea are celebrated.
On September 26, 2022, one of the largest emergency events in the history of global gas transportation systems occurred — explosions at the Nord Stream and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines.
On September 26, 1960, the first televised debate in the history of the United States took place – an event that forever changed political campaigns in the country.
International Day of Struggle for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
This holiday was established in accordance with the decision of the General Assembly of the United Nations, adopted on December 5, 2013. The purpose of this day is to raise the awareness of the world community about the threat of nuclear weapons and to call for their complete elimination.
Nuclear weapons remain one of the greatest threats to humanity. Its use can lead to catastrophic consequences not only for individual states, but also for the entire planet.
The UN General Assembly calls on all countries to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and to work towards creating a world free of nuclear weapons.
The elimination of nuclear weapons is an important condition for maintaining international peace and security. Without these weapons, the world will become more stable and protected from potential conflicts.
Interesting facts
As of 2021, there are more than 13,000 nuclear warheads in the world, owned by nine countries. This shows that the complete elimination of nuclear weapons is still very far from being realized.
In 1945, the US used nuclear weapons against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was the only case of combat use of nuclear weapons, the consequences of which remain in the memory of mankind to this day.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force in 2021, is the first legally binding international treaty to completely ban nuclear weapons. More than 80 countries have signed it, although major nuclear powers remain on the sidelines.
Ukraine is one of the few countries that voluntarily gave up nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1994, by signing the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine agreed to transfer its nuclear weapons to Russia in exchange for guarantees of security and territorial integrity.
Since the 1950s, various anti-nuclear movements calling for disarmament and peace have been active in the world. One of the largest such movements is the UK-based Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
World Environment Health Day
This holiday was started to raise awareness about the importance of preserving a healthy environment for the lives of people and future generations. It is aimed at attracting public attention to environmental problems, such as air, water and soil pollution, climate change, loss of biodiversity and others.
Drawing public attention to environmental problems and their impact on human health. Environmental pollution contributes to the development of numerous diseases, including respiratory and oncological diseases.
Support of projects and initiatives aimed at preserving and improving the state of the environment. This day is an opportunity for public organizations, schools, businesses and local communities to participate in environmental activities.
Promotion of a healthy lifestyle, which includes the use of environmentally friendly products, reducing the use of plastic and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies.
Interesting facts
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is one of the biggest risks to human health, causing millions of premature deaths each year.
Most of the waste we produce can be recycled or reused. But only 30% of waste in the world is processed, the rest pollutes the planet.
In the last 50 years, the populations of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have decreased by 68%. The loss of biodiversity threatens the ecosystems that provide us with clean water, air and food.
Many cities around the world are implementing initiatives to improve the quality of the environment, such as planting millions of trees, creating new parks and using renewable energy sources.
About 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, harming marine life and ecosystems. Many countries have already banned single-use plastics and are encouraging the transition to environmentally friendly alternatives.
World Sea Day
World Maritime Day is celebrated every year on the last Thursday of September at the initiative of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This holiday was founded in 1978 and aims to draw the attention of the world community to the importance of preserving the marine environment, as well as to the safety of navigation and the development of international maritime trade.
The world’s oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, providing more than half of the oxygen we breathe. However, anthropogenic impacts, including plastic pollution, chemical waste, and climate change, are having a negative impact on marine ecosystems.
About 90% of world trade is carried out by sea. The safe and efficient functioning of maritime transport is key to the stable development of the world economy and trade.
The maritime industry provides jobs for millions of people around the world. Supporting the sustainable development of this industry is important for the economic growth of many countries.
Interesting facts
About 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. This plastic is harmful to marine animals that may become entangled in it or accidentally eat it. There could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050 if no action is taken to reduce pollution.
Innovative technologies are developing the concept of autonomous vessels that can move without the participation of the crew. This can significantly improve the safety and efficiency of maritime transport, but at the same time creates new challenges for regulation and management.
The busiest shipping route in the world passes through the Strait of Malacca, which connects the Pacific and Indian oceans. More than 200 ships pass through this strait every day, transporting goods and energy resources from Asia to Europe and America.
According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries have undertaken to protect and preserve the marine environment, in particular to create marine reserves. Today, about 7% of the world’s oceans are protected as marine reserves, but at least 30% is needed to fully preserve ecosystems.
More than 100 major shipwrecks occur every year, resulting in loss of human life and serious environmental pollution. These accidents highlight the importance of safety at sea and the need to comply with international standards.
Historical events on this day
1371 – Battle on the Maritsa River
On this day, the combined forces of Serbs, Bulgarians, Vlachs, Hungarians and Croats were defeated by the Ottoman army in the Battle of the Maritsia River Valley. This defeat opened the way for the Ottomans to the Balkans and became one of the decisive ones in establishing their control over the region. From now on, the Ottoman Empire began to rapidly spread its influence on southeastern Europe, strengthening its position on the continent.
1580 – The completion of Francis Drake’s circumnavigation
English pirate and navigator Francis Drake returned to England, completing the second circumnavigation in history. After a three-year voyage during which he explored and plundered Spanish colonies in South America, Drake became a hero in his own country, and his voyage greatly increased the wealth of the royal treasury. Recognized as a pioneer, he was knighted and strengthened England’s position in the struggle for naval supremacy.
1687 – Partial destruction of the Parthenon
Parthenon, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of antiquity, was partially destroyed as a result of the shelling of the Venetian army in Athens. The temple, which served as a powder warehouse for the Ottomans, exploded when an artillery shell hit it, causing significant destruction. This case is one of the most tragic pages in the history of cultural heritage, because the Parthenon lost a large part of its sculptures and architectural details.
1815 – Duke Richelieu becomes the prime minister of France
Duke Armand Emmanuel du Plessis de Richelieu, a famous statesman, became Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of France. His appointment took place after the fall of Napoleon, and he played an important role in the restoration of the monarchy in France, contributing to the stabilization of the political situation in the country after the revolutionary period.
1913 – The Baylis trial begins
The trial of Mendel Baylis, who was accused of the ritual murder of a Christian boy, began in Kyiv. This case gained wide publicity and became a symbol of the fight against anti-Semitism. After a long trial, in which the accusation turned out to be groundless, Baylis was acquitted, which was a victory for justice and human rights in the Russian Empire.
1930 – Ban of Plast in Poland
The Polish authorities banned the activities of the Ukrainian scout organization “Plast”, which was an important center of national education of the youth. This decision became part of the policy of assimilation of Ukrainians in the territories occupied by Poland and was intended to limit the development of Ukrainian national consciousness.
1951 – Bundestag vote on reparations
The German Bundestag voted to pay post-war reparations to Jewish communities. This decision was an important step in the recognition of guilt for the Holocaust and the beginning of the process of reparations to the Jewish people. The agreement called for payments to Israel and Jewish organizations totaling about 3.45 billion marks.
1962 – Proclamation of the Yemen Arab Republic
In Yemen, the monarchy was overthrown and the Yemen Arab Republic was proclaimed. This event led to a civil war between Egyptian-backed republicans and Saudi-backed royalists. The conflict lasted eight years and significantly affected the political situation in the Arabian Peninsula.
1991 – Establishment of consular relations between Ukraine and Austria
Ukraine and Austria established consular relations, which became an important step on the way to international recognition of independent Ukraine. This event contributed to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the development of economic and cultural cooperation.
1995 – Accession of Ukraine to the Council of Europe
Ukraine officially joined the Council of Europe, which was a significant achievement on the path of integration into the European community. Membership in the Council of Europe has become a symbol of Ukraine’s desire for democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
2012 – Murder in the Caravan Shopping Center
A tragic incident took place in the Kyiv shopping and entertainment center “Caravan”, where the suspect Yaroslav Mazurok killed three security guards and injured one employee. This event shocked society and became one of the most high-profile criminal crimes of that time. After a long search, Mazurka was found dead in a forest near Kyiv, and his death was ruled a suicide.
2021 – Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Anthony Joshua
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk won over Briton Anthony Joshua in the fight for the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world titles. This victory became a significant event in Ukrainian sports and brought fame to Usykov as one of the best boxers of our time.
This day absorbed the events of different eras and spheres of life, from important military and political events to iconic sports victories. They highlight the diversity of history and demonstrate how each event has shaped the present.
Explosions on the Nord Stream and Nord Stream-2
On September 26, 2022, one of the largest emergency events in the history of global gas transportation systems occurred — explosions at the Nord Stream and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines. The incidents took place at 02:03 and 19:03 local time in the exclusive economic zones of Denmark and Sweden. After the explosions, the Danish Air Force detected several gas leaks, and shipping restrictions were put in place in the area of the accident to avoid further risks.
After inspection of the leak sites, traces of explosives were found, which confirmed the suspicions that the pipelines were deliberately blown up. The explosions caused significant destruction: in one of the areas, a fragment of a pipe about 50 meters long was found to be missing. Such large-scale destruction and the complexity of the operation at a depth of 70-80 meters clearly indicated that some state entity was involved in this crime.
Germany, Denmark and Sweden did not rule out the possibility of targeted sabotage. However, no country has taken responsibility for the explosions. According to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the destruction of civilian infrastructure not only violates international law, but is also a war crime. Thus, the explosions on “Nordic Streams” fall under this category.
The day after the Nord Stream explosions, gas prices in Europe rose sharply. After almost a week of decline, they began to rise again, exceeding $2,100 per thousand cubic meters. This shows the vulnerability of the European energy market to any force majeure circumstances related to the supply of energy resources.
The incident became a kind of test for the European energy system, forcing the EU countries to look even more actively for alternative ways of supplying energy and to reduce dependence on Russian gas. The explosions at the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines became an alarming signal for the whole world, reminding us of the importance of ensuring energy security and stability in today’s geopolitical conditions.
The first televised debate in the history of the United States
On September 26, 1960, an event occurred that forever changed political campaigns in the United States. It was on this day that the first-ever televised debate between two presidential candidates — Vice President Richard Nixon from the Republican Party and Senator John F. Kennedy from the Democratic Party — appeared on American television screens. By then, most American households already had televisions, so more than 66 million people were able to watch the debate.
These debates were called “The Great Debate” and had an incredible impact on the course of the election campaign. Television viewers who watched the speech of Kennedy and Nixon were impressed by the appearance and manner of behavior of the young senator. Kennedy looked tanned, energetic and confident, while Nixon, who had just recovered from an illness, looked tired, pale and exhausted. This contrast greatly influenced the perception of the candidates among the audience.
The debate demonstrated the enormous power of television as a means of influencing public opinion. According to polls, Americans who listened only to the radio broadcast believed that Nixon won the debate because of his clear arguments and knowledge. Instead, those who watched the debate on television declared Kennedy the winner because his charisma and confident appearance created a positive impression. This telecasting effect turned out to be a record, with more than half of voters saying that the debate changed their attitudes about the candidates, and 6% admitting that it was the televised debate that influenced their choice.
Thanks to the effective use of television, Kennedy was able to win the election, becoming the youngest president of the United States at the time, at the age of 43, and the first (and so far only) Catholic to hold the office. His success in televised debates was the decisive factor that gave him the edge over Nixon. Television, as a new media tool, made a real revolution in the presidential race, opening up new opportunities for politicians and influencing the formation of their public images.
In general, the very first public debate in the history of the United States took place in 1858 between Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democrat Stephen Douglas. They were held in the format of seven meetings in different cities of the state of Illinois, where each candidate was given time to speak, as well as to answer questions from the opponent and those present. Despite the great success of these debates, attempts to revive a similar format in subsequent years have not met with much success.
Only in 1948, the first radio debates between candidates for the position of president from the Republican Party took place, but these speeches did not have such wide publicity. And the TV debates of 1960 opened a new era in American political culture.
After the historic debates between Kennedy and Nixon, televised debates between presidential candidates disappeared from the US political scene for 16 years. The tradition was revived only in 1976, when they became a mandatory part of every presidential campaign. Since then, televised debates have played a key role in electoral processes, giving voters the opportunity to better understand the candidates’ positions and assess their personal qualities.
Despite the fact that televised debates continue to attract huge viewership and are an integral part of election campaigns, many political observers consider them “the most shameful moment in the history” of modern politics due to the frequent personal attacks and scandalous statements of the candidates. However, interest in them does not fade, as they remain an important tool for forming public opinion and choosing the country’s future leader.
The televised debate on September 26, 1960 went down in history as a landmark moment that demonstrated the impact of visual media on political processes. They not only changed the approach to election campaigns, but also became an important part of the political culture that continues to develop today.
