September 27 is celebrated in Ukraine as Educator’s Day, and in the world – World Tourism Day.
On September 27, 1941, the tragedy of Babi Yar took place in Kyiv – the largest place of mass shooting of Jews during the Holocaust.
On September 27, 1885, the South Russian Institute of Technology was opened in Kharkiv, the country’s first higher technical educational institution.
Educator’s Day in Ukraine
This holiday is dedicated to people who play one of the most important roles in every child’s life. The holiday honors the work of educators, who every day create favorable conditions for the development, education and upbringing of children, support them in their first steps on the way to learning about the world.
The day of the teacher and all preschool workers was officially approved in Ukraine in 2011 at the initiative of public organizations that represent the interests of teachers. The main purpose of this holiday is to draw society’s attention to the importance of educators and all employees of preschool institutions, who make a significant contribution to the formation of the future generation.
Interesting facts
Research shows that children who have warm and supportive relationships with their caregivers adjust better to school, have higher levels of social skills and self-confidence.
According to research, educators in Ukraine are actively implementing new methods, such as art therapy, music classes and environmental education, which help children develop creative abilities and empathy.
A teacher is the first teacher and mentor that children meet outside the family. Not only the child’s emotional state depends on the quality of interaction with educators, but also his attitude to learning in the future.
Modern educators use innovative technologies, such as interactive whiteboards, educational programs and electronic textbooks for toddlers. This helps make learning interesting and accessible even for the youngest.
In the work of an educator, it is important not only to follow methods and programs, but also to understand each child, his needs and peculiarities. According to research, children who feel supported and loved by their caregivers have a more stable psyche and develop more successfully.
World Tourism Day
It is a holiday that unites travelers, adventurers and explorers from all corners of the planet. This day is designed to draw attention to the importance of tourism in the cultural, social and economic development of society. He reminds that traveling is not just a vacation, but an opportunity to learn more about the world, other cultures, and oneself.
World Tourism Day was established by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1979. The date of the celebration was chosen on September 27, because on this day in 1970, the UNWTO charter was adopted – a key document that determined the development of world tourism. The main purpose of the holiday is to popularize tourism and draw attention to its role in promoting peace, mutual understanding between peoples and the development of the world economy.
Interesting facts
Research shows that planning a vacation and the anticipation of the trip brings more joy than purchasing material things. This is explained by the fact that new experiences give us an emotional boost and positive memories.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry accounted for more than 10% of global GDP, providing jobs for millions of people in different countries. In particular, tourism is one of the main sectors of the economy for countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Thailand.
In 2019, before the pandemic, the number of international tourist trips reached a record 1.5 billion. This means that almost every fifth person on the planet traveled abroad at least once a year.
Ukraine also has many interesting places for tourists: from the Carpathian mountains to the Black Sea coast, from ancient Lviv to cosmopolitan Kyiv. In recent years, domestic tourism in Ukraine has grown significantly, and many Ukrainians are discovering new places in their country.
Every year, more and more travelers prefer eco-friendly destinations and practices. Ecotourism allows you to experience harmony with nature while preserving it for future generations. Ecological routes are also being developed in Ukraine, in particular in the Carpathians and the Podilla region.
Historical events on this day
1605 – The Battle of Kirchholm: the victory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth over Sweden
On this day, the troops of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the command of the Great Hetman of Lithuania Jan Karol Chodkiewicz won a convincing victory over the Swedish troops near Kirchholm (modern Latvia). A relatively small Polish-Lithuanian army of about 3,800 men managed to defeat a Swedish army of about 11,000 soldiers. This is one of the most successful battles in Europe at the time, which confirmed the military prowess of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Polish cavalry – the winged hussars.
1781 — Administrative reform on the Left Bank of Ukraine
On the territory of the former Hetmanate, the Russian Empire created three new administrative units: Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Novgorod-Siver governorates. This reform eliminated the remnants of the autonomy of the Ukrainian lands that existed within the Hetmanate and finally integrated them into the empire. The loss of autonomy negatively affected the socio-economic development of the region and limited the rights of the local population.
1802 — Restoration of Magdeburg law in Kyiv
The Russian emperor Alexander I by his decree partially restored the Magdeburg law in Kyiv, which was abolished by Catherine II in 1781. Magdeburg law gave the city autonomy in internal affairs, allowed it to have its own administration, judicial system and economic privileges. The restoration of this right contributed to the development of local self-government and the economy of Kyiv, although it was limited compared to previous centuries.
1821 – Independence of the Mexican Empire
After a long war of independence lasting more than ten years, Mexico officially gained its independence from Spain. The military and political leader Agustin de Iturbide proclaimed the creation of the Mexican Empire, of which Iturbide himself became the first emperor. However, his reign was short, and after two years the empire was replaced by a republic.
1825 – The beginning of the railway era in Great Britain
In Great Britain, regular passenger service began with the first railway connecting the cities of Stockton and Darlington. Steam locomotive “Locomotion” by George Stephenson carried 450 passengers at a speed of 24 km/h. This was the beginning of revolutionary changes in the transport industry, which contributed to the development of industry and trade.
1895 — Foundation of the Nobel Prize
Swedish engineer and inventor Alfred Nobel signed a will in which he stipulated that his legacy should be used to establish a prize for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and the promotion of peace. The Nobel Prize has become one of the most prestigious international awards, which has been awarded annually since 1901.
1912 — Opening of the “Sportivne Pole” stadium in Kyiv
The first stadium capable of accommodating 3,000 spectators was opened in Kyiv, which became one of the centers of the city’s sports life. The stadium was a popular venue for football matches, athletics competitions and other sporting events, contributing to the popularization of sports in the region.
1937 — The first school of Santa Clauses in the USA
The first Santa Claus training school opened in Albion (New York). This unique initiative was designed to teach people the art of creating a festive mood, the culture and traditions of celebrating Christmas, as well as the right interaction with children. Today, similar schools exist in many countries of the world.
1939 — Capture of Warsaw by the Nazis
German troops captured the capital of Poland, Warsaw, after a long siege. This became one of the key moments in the initial phase of World War II and led to the partition of Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
1941 — Proclamation of independence of the Syrian Republic
After a long struggle for independence, Syria officially declared itself an independent state, emerging from the French mandate. This became an important step on the way to establishing the country’s sovereignty.
1961 – Sierra Leone became a member of the United Nations
The African state of Sierra Leone has become the hundredth UN member state. This indicated the further expansion of the international organization and the growth of the number of independent states in the world.
1977 — Commissioning of the Chornobyl NPP
On the territory of Ukraine, near the city of Chornobyl, a nuclear power plant began operating, which became one of the most powerful in the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, it is known because of the 1986 disaster, which became the biggest man-made accident of the 20th century.
1998 — Founding of Google
Larry Page and Sergey Brin registered Google, which at that time was only a search engine. Over the years, Google has evolved into a global technology giant that develops search technology, software, and many other innovative products.
2001 — Foundation of the Abel Prize
The Norwegian government has established an international prize for outstanding achievements in the field of mathematics, the Abel Prize, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in this field. The award is named after the Norwegian mathematician Nils Henrik Abel and has been awarded since 2003.
The tragedy of Babyny Yar in Kyiv
On September 27, 1941, in Kyiv, just a week after the capture of the city by German troops, announcements of the commandant appeared on the walls of houses. In these orders, all the Jews of the city were ordered to appear at the collection point in the Babi Yar area, taking with them documents, valuables, warm clothes and a three-day supply of food. The order sounded like preparation for “evacuation”, but in reality it was a death trap. All those who did not show up at the meeting place were to be shot.
The order was given by Field Marshal Walter von Reichenau, who commanded the 6th Army of the Wehrmacht. Before that, he managed to capture Paris, Kyiv and Kharkiv. In his order, he declared that “soldiers, the bearers of a great national idea, must understand the necessity of severe but fair punishment for Jewish subhumans.” It was he who ordered the anti-tank artillery unit of the 95th division to prevent any attempt by the Jews to leave the city.
The first execution took place on September 27, 1941, when 752 patients of the Ivan Pavlov Psychiatric Hospital, located near Babyny Yar, were killed. The exact place of their execution is still unknown.
During two days, September 29 and 30, 1941, the Sonderkommando under the command of Standardenführer Paul Blobel, together with the local auxiliary police, shot 33,771 people in Babi Yar. This number does not include minor children under the age of three who were also killed on these days. According to various estimates, between 70,000 and 200,000 people were executed in Babi Yar between 1941 and 1943.
Von Reichenau, the organizer of mass executions in Kyiv, did not even live to see the end of the war. Three and a half months after the first executions in Babyny Yar, he died of a fatal stroke. During the transport of his body, the plane crashed, crashing into a hangar during landing in Lviv, which the Germans then renamed Lemberg.
Not all Nazi criminals escaped punishment. Although many managed to escape, twelve of them were sentenced to death. In 1946, they were publicly hanged in the center of Kyiv on Kalinin Square (modern Maidan Nezalezhnosti). This execution took place in front of more than 200,000 Kyivites, who approved this punishment. However, today these events are rarely mentioned in historical accounts of the tragedy of Babi Yar.
Opening of the South Russian Institute of Technology
On September 27 (September 15 according to the old style) of 1885, the South Russian Institute of Technology was opened in Kharkiv, the country’s first higher technical educational institution. At the time of its opening, it had only two departments – mechanical and chemical, which accepted only 125 students. The organizer and first director of the institute was a well-known scientist in the field of mechanics and resistance of materials, Honored Professor Viktor Lvovich Kyrpychov.
Professor Kirpychev was not only an outstanding scientist, but also an innovator in the field of education. On his initiative, the South Russian Society of Technologists was established at the institute, which played a significant role in the development of industry and the introduction of advanced technologies in the country. This society united specialists and researchers, which contributed to the exchange of experience and innovative ideas, which were actively implemented at the enterprises of that time.
At the time of its opening, the institute planned to have 17 teachers on its staff, including 10 professors and 7 adjunct professors. However, in 1885, only five teachers actually worked, and already from January 1886 – six. Academician Mykola Beketov was one of the first lecturers who taught at the institute, who taught a chemistry course in the 1886-1887 academic year.
The first graduation of engineers took place in 1890, when 38 students received the titles of mechanical engineers and chemical engineers. Graduates of the institute subsequently became well-known specialists in their fields, which significantly influenced the development of the country’s scientific and technical potential. In 1898, as a result of the expansion of scientific and theoretical education, the institution was renamed the Technological Institute named after Emperor Alexander III.
Changes in the institute continued in the 20th century. In 1929, it was reorganized into the Lenin Polytechnic Institute. This decision reflected new requirements for education and science in the conditions of industrialization and modernization of the economy. With the development of the institute, both its educational programs and scientific research expanded.
In April 1994, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine granted Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute the status of State Polytechnic University. This became a recognition of his role in the system of higher education of Ukraine and scientific potential. In 2000, by the decree of the President of Ukraine, the university was granted national status, which emphasized its importance in the context of the state educational policy.
Today, Kharkiv National Technical University is one of the leading technical institutions of higher education in Ukraine. The teaching staff of the university has about 1,300 people, including 160 doctors of science, professors and 760 associate professors, candidates of sciences. Every year, the university graduates about 2,000 masters who work in various fields of economics and science, contributing to Ukraine’s development and integration into the international community.
Kharkiv National Technical University named after Pyotr Vasylenko, as it is known today, continues the traditions established in 1885 and remains an important center of science and technology that educates new generations of engineers and researchers.
