On September 3, the world celebrates the Day of the Skyscraper and the Day of Discovery of the Uniqueness of DNA.
Skyscraper Day
Skyscraper Day is a holiday that celebrates the highest achievements of mankind in the field of architecture and engineering. Skyscrapers, which were once considered a mere necessity to accommodate a large number of people and companies in a limited space, have today become a symbol of ambition, technological progress and economic development.
The first skyscrapers appeared in the USA at the end of the 19th century. The completion of the Home Insurance Building in Chicago in 1885 is considered the real beginning of the era of high-rise buildings. This 10-story building was the first skyscraper to use a steel frame to support the walls, allowing for a significant increase in building height. It was a real breakthrough in construction.
Interesting facts
To date, the world record holder for height is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, whose height reaches 828 meters. This building is not only the tallest in the world, but also a true masterpiece of architectural art and engineering thought. It symbolizes the modern ambitions and technological capabilities of mankind.
Other notable skyscrapers worth mentioning include the Shanghai Tower in China at 632 meters and the Abraj Al Bait in Mecca, Saudi Arabia at 601 meters. Each of these skyscrapers has a unique design and performs not only commercial, but also cultural functions, becoming a symbol of its country.
The fastest skyscraper built is Mini Sky City in China. It was built in just 19 days, erecting three floors per day.
Some skyscrapers are specially built in such a way that they are ahead of the competition. For example, the Empire State Building in New York was once built five meters taller than the Chrysler Building to claim the title of tallest building in the world in 1931.
Few people know that skyscrapers move a little. Even the world’s tallest buildings can sway several meters under the influence of the wind, which ensures their stability and protection from collapse.
Every year, technology makes it possible to build taller and more complex skyscrapers. Architects and designers are actively working on the development of buildings that can independently produce energy, store water and be environmentally friendly. Perhaps in the near future we will see skyscrapers that will rise above the clouds and become independent cities with their own infrastructure.
The day of the discovery of the uniqueness of DNA
This holiday is designed to emphasize the importance of genetic research and honor the scientific discoveries that have helped humanity understand the basics of life on Earth. The discovery of the structure of DNA became one of the most important scientific achievements of the 20th century, which changed our view of biology, medicine and even ethics.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, was first identified by Swiss biochemist Friedrich Miescher in 1869. However, it was not until 1953 that James Watson and Francis Crick, based on Rosalind Franklin’s X-rays, were able to decipher the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery made it possible to understand how genetic information is transmitted from generation to generation and how it determines all biological aspects of organisms.
Interesting facts about DNA
Every living thing on Earth has a unique set of DNA, which makes each of us unique. The genetic code written in DNA determines external features, such as eye and hair color, as well as the internal functions of the body. DNA is the basis not only for individual characteristics, but also for the evolution of species, since mutations in DNA can lead to the appearance of new properties that give certain advantages in survival.
If you pull out all the DNA in the cells of the human body into a single strand, its length will be about 2 meters. At the same time, it is compactly folded into cell nuclei, which is a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
Human DNA is 99.9% the same in all people. However, even such a small percentage of differences make each of us unique. About 98% of our DNA is identical to that of chimpanzees, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.
Human DNA contains remnants of genes that existed millions of years ago. Some of them are still active and perform important functions, while others have become inactive but remain part of our genetic code.
Every year, the science of DNA develops, opening new horizons for medical practice, genetic engineering and the study of evolutionary processes. Advances in technologies such as CRISPR allow scientists to edit genes, opening up new opportunities to treat genetic diseases and create organisms with desired characteristics.
DNA is also used to store information, since DNA molecules have the ability to store a huge amount of data in a compact form. This can become a solution to the problem of saving information in the future.
Historical events on this day
1189 – Richard the Lionheart became King of England as Richard I. He was known for his bravery and active participation in the Crusades, making him a legendary figure in medieval Europe.
1609 — British navigator Henry Hudson discovered the harbor where the city of New York later arose. This discovery was an important step in the development of North America by Europeans and contributed to the future development of trade and colonization in this region.
1783 — On this day, the Paris Peace Treaty was signed, which officially ended the war between Great Britain and its thirteen former colonies that had declared independence. The treaty recognized the United States of America as an independent state, which became an important milestone in world history.
1791 — France adopted its first Constitution, which established a constitutional monarchy. This became an important stage of the French Revolution, which fundamentally changed the political landscape of France and influenced political processes throughout the world.
1864 — A powerful explosion occurred in Stockholm, which destroyed Alfred Nobel’s laboratory. This incident had a significant impact on his later work and inventions, particularly the development of dynamite.
1912 — The world’s first cannery opened in Great Britain, which became an important event for the food industry and changed the approach to food storage and consumption.
1914 — On this day, the volunteer legion of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen (USS) took an oath of allegiance to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the same year, the American Mary Phelps Jacobs invented the bra, which became a revolutionary invention in the field of women’s fashion.
1939 — British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that the country was going to war with the Third Reich after Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1. This event marked the official beginning of World War II.
1950 — This day marked the end of the first Formula 1 world championship, which became an important event in the world of motor sports.
1953 — On this day, the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms entered into force, which became the foundation for the modern human rights movement in Europe.
1971 — Qatar officially declared independence from Great Britain, becoming a sovereign state. On the same day, the USSR, Great Britain, the USA and France signed a quadrilateral agreement on the status of West Berlin, which established the military presence of Western powers in the city.
Oliver Cromwell: Life, Death and Legacy
On September 13, 1658 (according to the new style), Oliver Cromwell died suddenly in London – an outstanding reformer, a talented general and Lord Protector of England, the creator of the English Republic. Death resulted from a combination of malaria and typhoid fever. Oliver Cromwell was one of the most influential political and military leaders of his time, although due to his origin and education he could not claim high positions.
Cromwell had neither a noble pedigree nor a thorough education that would have allowed him to occupy leading government positions. However, thanks to his reputation, honesty, ability to keep his word and some family connections, he became a member of the English Parliament. Oliver Cromwell was a deeply religious man, but he opposed the Pope and considered many clergy hypocrites, hypocrites, and self-seekers.
It is interesting that Cromwell did not have a military education, but managed to win notable victories in the civil war, conquered Scotland and Ireland. Although his rule was often accompanied by fines and fees, he always insisted on observing the principle of justice: not to harm civilians, to avoid looting and violence.
Cromwell was not a fan of bloodshed, but he ordered the execution of King Charles I, considering him a traitor, a tyrant and an enemy of the motherland. It is said that he even came to the body of King Charles after the execution, lifted the lid of the coffin and looked at the dead face for a long time, muttering through his teeth: “Sad necessity!”.
After the execution of Charles I, Parliament appointed Cromwell Lord Protector, but he dissolved this Parliament, taking power into his own hands. He created the first English republic in history, which he ruled with the help of major generals. It is interesting that he was even offered the crown, but he refused it, remaining true to his principles and beliefs.
Cromwell was buried with great honors, but after the restoration of the Stuart monarchy, his ashes were exhumed and the barbaric procedure of “hanging a regicide” was carried out on a criminal gallows. After that, the head was cut off from the body, the body was buried in a pit under the gallows, and the head, mounted on a spear, was displayed in the Palace of Westminster for inspection. The head remained there for 25 years until an assault broke the spear. Then, for almost three centuries, Cromwell’s head was in various collections and museums, until it was finally buried in Cambridge in 1960.
Interestingly, after the change of power, only the dead Cromwell suffered, the rest were amnestied.
Famous quotes of Oliver Cromwell
Cromwell left behind many wise sayings that are still relevant today:
- “I conjure you with all the sufferings of Christ – think for a moment that you can be wrong.”
- “Trust in God, but keep the powder dry.”
- “You’ve been sitting here too long… In the name of God, get out!” (when dispersing the parliament).
- “He who does not know where he is going will go the longest.”
A statue of Oliver Cromwell on a high pedestal is installed on the lawn in front of the Houses of Parliament. He holds a sword in his right hand and a Bible in his left. The foot of the pedestal is decorated with a bronze lion. Bronze Cromwell standing with bowed head. It is said that the sculptor did not want the Lord Protector to look into the eyes of the King Charles he had executed. A bust of Charles adorns the wall of St. Margaret’s Church, opposite the Cromwell monument.
