On September 8, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Workers of the Oil, Gas, Oil Refining Industry and Oil Product Supply, and in the world – the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Fascism, the International Day of Solidarity of Journalists, and the Day of the Shnobel Prize.
September 8, 1907 – the birthday of automobile sports in Ukraine. On September 8, 1914, pilot Petro Mykolayovych Nesterov – the founder of aerobatics, the performer of the famous “dead loop” – performed his last feat.
Day of workers of the oil, gas, oil refining industry and oil product supply
Every year on the second Sunday of September, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Workers of the Oil, Gas, Oil Refining and Petroleum Product Supply Industry. This is a professional holiday of employees of a strategic industry that provides the country with energy resources and affects the development of the economy.
The oil and gas industry of Ukraine plays a key role in the energy independence of the country. Ukraine is one of the countries through which the main gas transport corridors to Europe pass, which makes it an important player in the international energy arena.
The development of the oil and gas industry in Ukraine began in the 19th century. The first oil fields were discovered in the Carpathian region, and oil and gas production became an important part of the economy even then. One of the first oil pipelines in the world was built in Ukraine in the 1870s.
The oil and gas sector is the main source of revenues for the budget. In addition, it provides jobs for tens of thousands of Ukrainians and promotes the development of related industries.
Today, the industry faces new challenges, such as infrastructure modernization, the need to develop alternative energy sources, and the struggle to maintain energy independence in the face of military aggression from Russia.
In recent years, Ukraine has implemented a number of important reforms in the gas sector, aimed at liberalizing the gas market, increasing energy efficiency and integration into the European energy system. All these processes are an important part of the country’s efforts to improve energy security.
On this day, the work of specialists who ensure a stable supply of oil, gas and petroleum products every day is honored. These are people who work both in difficult production conditions and in the field of management and scientific research aimed at improving the work of the industry.
Day of remembrance of the victims of fascism
Every year, on the second Sunday of September, the whole world celebrates the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Fascism. It is an important date to commemorate the millions of people who died during World War II as a result of the actions of the Nazi regimes. The memory of these terrible events is a reminder of the need to fight against all forms of totalitarianism, violence and discrimination.
September 8 was not chosen by chance – it was at the beginning of September that the Second World War began (September 1, 1939), and also the signing of the peace treaty with Japan, which symbolically ended the war on September 2, 1945.
More than 60 million people, including soldiers and civilians, died during World War II. In addition, millions became victims of concentration camps, deportations and genocides, including the Holocaust.
The most infamous Nazi concentration camps – Auschwitz-Birkenau, Buchenwald, Mauthausen and others – became symbols of the brutality of the fascist regime, where millions of people were executed or died from inhumane conditions.
Ukraine suffered significant losses during the Second World War. About 8 million Ukrainians died during the war, and the Nazi occupiers established strict control over the captured territories, arranging mass executions and deportations.
This day is celebrated in many countries of the world to honor the memory of the victims and remind about the horrors of fascist regimes. It is also a symbol of unity against the evil and intolerance embodied by fascism.
The Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Fascism is also an opportunity to reflect on the lessons of history and remind humanity of the need to uphold the principles of humanism, human rights and fight against all forms of dictatorship and totalitarianism.
International Day of Solidarity of Journalists
Every year on September 8, the International Day of Solidarity of Journalists is celebrated. This is an important date for honoring journalists around the world who, performing their professional activities, risk life and freedom every day, striving to bring true information to society. This day was approved in 1958 at the 4th Congress of the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ).
September 8 was chosen because it was on this day in 1943 that Julius Fučík, a Czech journalist and writer who became a symbol of the struggle for freedom of speech, was executed. His well-known work “Report from Zashmorg” became a manifesto of the struggle for human rights and freedom of the press.
The main goal of this day is to raise public awareness of the dangers faced by journalists, especially in the context of conflicts, authoritarian regimes and repression. It is also a day to unite journalists and human rights organizations to protect freedom of speech.
According to international organizations, the number of journalists who die or go to prison continues to increase in recent years. Only in 2023, more than 70 cases of death of journalists in various countries of the world due to their professional activities were recorded.
During the war in Ukraine, the work of journalists became even more dangerous and important. Many of them work in combat zones, risking their lives to provide the world with truthful information about the events at the front and the real consequences of Russian aggression.
The International Organization of Journalists, which approved this day, is engaged in protecting the rights of journalists, ensuring their safety, as well as fighting against the persecution of journalists in various countries. The organization also recognizes outstanding journalists who have made a significant contribution to the development of freedom of speech.
The International Day of Solidarity of Journalists is not limited to one country. It brings together media representatives from around the world, demonstrating that freedom of speech and the right to information are universal values that must be protected.
Shnobel Prize Day
Every year on September 8, the world celebrates the Ig Nobel Prize Day, a kind of parody of the Nobel Prize. This award is given for research that at first glance seems absurd, but actually makes you think about scientific questions or reveals unexpected aspects of reality. The awarding of the Schnobel Prize takes place at Harvard University and arouses considerable interest, especially among the scientific community.
Interesting facts
The award was first presented in 1991. Its founder is the American physicist and humorist Mark Abrahams. He decided that science should not only discover new things, but also entertain.
Unlike the classic Nobel Prize, Shnobelivska can include research in completely unexpected fields. For example, in 2020, the physics prize was awarded for research into the behavior of worms in a vibrating environment.
One of the most famous awards was given for the study of mechanisms that reduce the pain after an insect bite. It turned out that a person tolerates bites in the nostril and lips the worst.
Some scientists perceive receiving this award with humor, others with annoyance, believing that it devalues their work. For example, laureates for research on the use of spaghetti as a basis for building bridges were surprised by the attention to their work.
At the award ceremony, laureates have the opportunity to present the essence of their research in 60 seconds. The violation of this time ends with the appearance of a little girl on the stage, who begins to shout: “Please stop, I’m bored!”.
Historical events on this day
1943 – The Kingdom of Italy announced its surrender to the Allies. During the Second World War, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy announced the surrender to the Allied forces. After a series of defeats and exhaustion during the hostilities, Italy signed an armistice agreement. This was a pivotal moment as Italy was emerging from a war that had severely damaged its economy and political stability. After the surrender, the country was effectively in a state of civil war, with some parts of the army continuing to support Nazi Germany, while others joined forces with the Allies.
1951 – The peace treaty with Japan was signed in San Francisco. After the end of World War II, in 1951, a peace treaty with Japan was signed in San Francisco. Representatives of 48 countries agreed to the conditions for the restoration of peaceful relations with Japan, which was experiencing the consequences of its defeat in the war. The Soviet Union, however, refused to sign the treaty due to political differences, and this led to the fact that Russia, as the legal successor of the USSR, is still formally at war with Japan. The lack of formal peace between the countries remains one of the long-standing diplomatic confrontations.
1952 – The first book edition of Ernest Hemingway’s story “The Old Man and the Sea”. In 1952, the first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s famous story “The Old Man and the Sea” was published. This work, which became a classic of world literature, won the Pulitzer Prize and made a significant contribution to the awarding of the author the Nobel Prize in Literature. “The Old Man and the Sea” is a story about struggle, perseverance and fortitude, which has gained immense popularity among readers and critics.
1991 – Record temperature was recorded in Kyiv. On September 8, 1991, the highest temperature for that day was registered in Kyiv – 32°C. It was one of the warmest days in September in the history of meteorological observations of the capital. Such an abnormally high temperature for the beginning of autumn became part of the general trend of climate change and an increase in average temperatures in the region.
2005 – Political changes in Ukraine. September 8, 2005 was an important day for the political history of Ukraine. President Viktor Yushchenko by his decrees dismissed the government led by Yulia Tymoshenko due to internal conflicts in the team and accusations of corruption. Petro Poroshenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, head of the SBU, and other high-ranking officials were also dismissed. Yushchenko appointed Yury Yekhanurov as acting prime minister, which marked the beginning of political changes in post-revolutionary Ukraine.
2005 – Agreement on the construction of the Nord Stream. On September 8, 2005, an agreement was signed in Berlin between the Russian Gazprom and the German concerns BASF AG and E.ON AG regarding the construction of the Nord Stream. This gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea was intended to supply Russian gas to Europe, bypassing Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic states. The agreement drew considerable criticism from countries that were dependent on gas transit through their territories, and in the future became one of the key topics of Europe’s energy security.
September 8, 1907 – the birthday of automobile sports in Ukraine
September 8, 1907 can be considered the birthday of automobile sports in Ukraine, when the first automobile races took place on the route “Odesa – Mykolaiv – Odesa”. These races were organized according to clearly established rules, where one of the main ones was the duty of the participants not to create danger for pedestrians and traffic. An important condition was also movement at low speed through populated areas to avoid accidents.
Different types of vehicles participated in the races, which added variety to the event. Among them were:
- motorcycles and tricycles,
- cars with engine power up to 12 horsepower,
- cars with power from 12 to 23 horsepower,
- cars with a capacity of 24 horsepower and more.
To participate in the race, you had to pay a fee that varied from 5 to 50 rubles. In total, 28 vehicles took part in the competition.
The winners were the Italians – Dr. Libero Vercelli and engineer Luigi Petrillo, who covered the distance of 124 versts (about 132 km) in 1 hour 56 minutes 16 seconds in a “Florentia” car. The second place was taken by the “Mercedes” car, which finished in 1 hour 57 minutes 18 seconds. It is interesting that Nikitin from Odessa covered the distance from Mykolaiv to Odesa in 2 hours and 13 minutes on a motorcycle with a 5-horsepower engine, which at that time became a national record.
A special participant in the race was Baron Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Reno, a retired officer and a representative of the fourth generation of the family that settled in Odessa in the 18th century. Baron Reno left a mark not only in the history of Odesa, but also of Mykolaiv, owning significant estates in both cities. His further fate is unknown, but historians assume that he, along with his brother Mikhail, fought on the side of the whites in the civil war and probably either emigrated or died.
This event not only launched motor sports in Ukraine, but also demonstrated the rapid development of technology and the growing interest in motor racing at the international level.
On September 8, 1914, during the battles for Lviv during the First World War, pilot Petro Mykolayovych Nesterov performed his last feat.
Near the town of Zhovkva, he used the ram of an enemy aircraft for the first time in the history of combat aviation. Nesterov rammed the plane, on which were pilot Franz Malina and pilot-observer Baron Friedrich von Rosenthal. They were conducting aerial reconnaissance for the Austrian troops and were going to drop bombs on enemy positions.
At that time, combat aircraft did not yet have weapons and were used mainly for reconnaissance. The first air battles were fought with the help of carbines and revolvers, and the only effective way to destroy an enemy aircraft was a battering ram. Nesterov took a mortal risk by using his plane to attack the enemy in the air, becoming an example of courage and self-sacrifice. He was only 27 years old.
After Nesterov’s death, his family remained – his wife and two small children: a 5-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. Nesterov went down in history not only with his last heroic act, but also with the fact that he became the founder of aerobatics. It was he who performed the famous “dead loop” for the first time in the world, which later became known as “Nesterov’s loop”. This maneuver is still considered one of the most difficult and dangerous elements in piloting.
The funeral of Peter Nesterov took place in Kyiv, and it became a big event, for which many people gathered. The hero was buried under an artillery salute and mournful music of military bands, which reflected the importance of his feat for the society of that time.
In Kyiv, on Volchay Gora, in the historical area of Darnytsia, the famous “Nesterova pine” grows, which is more than 250 years old. In 2013, a memorial stone with a plaque dedicated to his experiments in this area during military maneuvers in 1913 was erected in memory of Nesterov. This memory still reminds us of Nesterov’s outstanding achievements in aviation and his unforgettable contribution to the development of military affairs.
September 8, 1989 – the founding of the People’s Movement of Ukraine
On September 8, 1989, the People’s Movement of Ukraine was officially founded in Kyiv, an organization that became one of the drivers of political change in the country on the way to independence. At first, the organization was called “People’s Movement of Ukraine for Perestroika”, which reflected its initial goal – to support democratic reforms and perestroika initiated in the USSR. The party’s program and charter were developed with the participation of the Writers’ Union of Ukraine, which emphasized the significant role of the Ukrainian intelligentsia in the formation of the political movement.
The first chairman of the party was the famous Ukrainian poet Ivan Drach, who became a symbol of the cultural and political revival of the nation at that time. The People’s Movement of Ukraine, or simply NRU, quickly became the main opposition force, uniting people from different parts of the country around the idea of democratic reforms and independence of Ukraine.
After some time, a combat wing was created within the party – “Varta Rukh”, which protected the interests of the party’s followers during rallies and gatherings. This wing was headed by Lviv medic Yuriy Kryvoruchko, and his deputy was Oleg Tyagnibok, who would later become a well-known political figure.
Quotations of outstanding figures of the NRU:
Vyacheslav Chornovil is one of the leading leaders of the Movement, who left a deep mark in the political history of Ukraine. His words inspired thousands of people:
- “Ukraine begins with you.”
- “We don’t have people from Bandera and Muscovites, Eastern and Western. We are all the people of Ukraine.”
- “God grant us to love Ukraine more than anything else today – having, so that we do not have to love it bitterly, having lost it. The time has come for a great choice: either unity and victory and the path to light, or defeat, shame and again a long road to freedom.”
Ivan Drach, who headed the NRU at the beginning of its existence, also left important statements reflecting his vision of the Ukrainian people and their struggle:
- “Every Ukrainian is a “Trinity of Musicians”: one thinks, the second speaks, the third does.”
- “He who is plagued by doubt cannot lead.”
- “Ukrainians are an amazing people! His greatest enemies died their own death.”
- “Until a person gets up from his knees, he will not be able to go far.”
- “Why do we have enemies? We are our own enemies!”.
- “There is a feeling that Russia will never let us feel like winners. That’s why we need to be armed all the time and kick anyone who shows up without an invitation.”
- “Right now, despite the bloodshed, a nation is being forged. Either it will happen as such, or it will be destroyed and become fertilizer for neighboring states.”
- “I am an absolute optimist. I believe in my people. Otherwise, why live in this world?”.
The founding of the People’s Movement of Ukraine became an important event on the way to the country’s independence, a symbol of the awakening of national consciousness and the struggle for democratic rights and freedoms of the Ukrainian people.
