September 9th is International Education Day, World Agriculture Day and World Electric Vehicle Day.
On September 9, 1944, the Lublin Agreement regarding the mass resettlement of Ukrainians was signed. On September 9, 1776, the United Colonies of America were officially renamed the United States of North America.
International Education Day
The day was established in 2020 following the unanimous adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 74/275, which was proposed by Qatar and supported by 62 co-sponsor countries. The celebration of this day is coordinated every year by organizations such as UNESCO and UNICEF.
Statistics and facts
As of 2024, 3,582 educational institutions of Ukraine were damaged due to bombing and shelling by the Russian Federation, of which 341 were completely destroyed.
According to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attacks, between 2015 and 2020, more than 13,400 attacks on educational institutions were recorded in 93 countries around the world, significantly violating children’s right to education. As a result of such actions, more than 25,000 schoolchildren, students, teachers and scientists were injured, killed or suffered in other ways. The number of such unfortunate cases is increasing all over the world, and this is especially noticeable in countries that suffer from military actions, such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Chad, Syria, Yemen and others.
In 2020 and 2021, GCPEA recorded more than 429 cases of attacks on educational institutions and interference with the learning process in Palestine. In Uganda, conflict has severely hampered access to education through violence, forced displacement and abductions.
In order to protect against attacks in the field of education, the “Safe Schools” initiative was launched, aimed at protecting students and teachers in conflict zones, calling on states to guarantee the safety of educational institutions. Ukraine also joined this initiative, which emphasizes the importance of protecting education during hostilities.
World Agriculture Day
This day is designed to draw attention to the important role of agriculture in the development of countries’ economies, ensuring food security and maintaining the environment. It serves as a reminder that agriculture is the foundation of life, providing us with food and the main source of income for millions of people around the world.
Interesting facts
Agriculture arose approximately 12 thousand years ago. It became a key factor contributing to the emergence of the first civilizations, because people could focus on building cities and cultural development.
More than 1 billion people worldwide work in agriculture, making it one of the largest employment sectors in the world.
Over the past 50 years, agriculture has experienced a significant technological breakthrough. The use of drones to monitor crops, precision agriculture and automated machines are making processes more efficient and sustainable.
Agriculture plays a key role in climate change, but it can also be part of the solution. For example, agroforestry and restoration of degraded land help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The world population is estimated to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, creating a challenge for agriculture to provide enough food while conserving resources.
For many decades, Ukraine has been known as one of the leading agricultural countries in Europe, exporting grain, sunflower oil and other agricultural products. However, the war in the country has led to significant challenges in this sector.
World Electric Vehicle Day
World Electric Vehicle Day aims to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, popularize their use, and promote the development of infrastructure for electric vehicles. This day is also an important milestone in the transition to sustainable transportation, which helps to reduce the impact on the climate and reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Interesting facts
The first electric cars appeared in the 19th century. However, due to the development of gasoline cars, their popularity decreased, and only at the beginning of the 21st century, electric cars began to gain popularity again due to the concern for the environment and the development of new technologies.
Over the past decade, the number of electric vehicles on the world’s roads has grown dramatically. In 2020, global sales of electric vehicles reached more than 3 million units, an increase of almost 40% compared to the previous year.
Electric cars significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which helps fight climate change. In many countries, electric cars already have privileges such as free parking, reduced taxes or access to special lanes.
Modern electric cars can travel more than 500 km on a single charge, which makes them competitive with gasoline cars. Battery charging speeds are also constantly improving, allowing drivers to charge their cars in minutes.
Historical events on this day
1850 – California became the 31st US state
On September 9, 1850, California officially became the 31st state of the United States of America. This became possible thanks to the period of the “California Gold Rush”, which attracted numerous migrants and significantly changed the demographic and economic landscape of the region. The admission of California to the United States was also important in the context of the political debate over slavery, as it became a “free” state, which furthered the division between the North and the South.
1920 — Foundation of the Kyiv Aviation Plant
On September 9, 1920, the Kyiv Aviation Plant was founded, which later became known as one of the leading aircraft-building enterprises in Ukraine and beyond. The company played a key role in the development of the aviation industry of the Soviet Union, and after Ukraine gained independence, it continued to produce civil and military aircraft, particularly for international markets.
1932 — Catalonia received autonomy from the Spanish government
On September 9, 1932, the Spanish government granted autonomy to Catalonia, one of Spain’s historic and cultural regions that had long sought greater self-government. This event became a key stage in the political development of the region, although the subsequent history of Catalonia was complicated by the authoritarian regime of Francisco Franco, who in 1939 eliminated the autonomous rights of Catalonia. Despite this, Catalonia has preserved its unique culture and continued to fight for the expansion of its rights.
1951 — The People’s Liberation Army of China entered Lhasa
On September 9, 1951, the People’s Liberation Army of China entered Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, symbolizing the final elimination of its independence. Tibet, which until then was an independent state with its own unique culture and Buddhist traditions, ended up under the control of the Chinese authorities. This has caused serious international controversy and remains one of the key issues in China’s relations with other countries.
1991 — Independence of Tajikistan
On September 9, 1991, Tajikistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming a sovereign state. Independence came at the time of the collapse of the USSR, and although the country gained political independence, in the early 1990s it faced a civil war that lasted several years and left a significant mark on the development of Tajikistan.
2006 — space flight of Heidemari Stefanyshyn-Piper
On September 9, 2006, the space flight of the astronaut of Ukrainian origin Heidemari Stefanyshyn-Piper, who became one of the few women who visited space, began. This was her first mission as part of the NASA program. Stefanyshyn-Piper made several spacewalks, which was a significant achievement not only for women in science, but also for the Ukrainian diaspora.
On September 9, 1944, the Lublin Agreement on the Mass Resettlement of Ukrainians was signed
The official name of this historical document is “Agreement between the Government of the Ukrainian SSR and the Polish Committee of National Liberation on the evacuation of the Ukrainian population from the territory of Poland and the Polish population from the territory of the Ukrainian SSR.” The agreement provided for the mass resettlement of Ukrainians living in the territories of modern Poland to Soviet Ukraine, and Poles and Jews who were citizens of Poland until September 17, 1939 and lived in the territory of the Ukrainian SSR to Poland.
The agreement provided for the resettlement of Ukrainians from the following districts of Poland: Kholmskyi, Hrubeszivskyi, Tomaszivskyi, Lyubachivskyi, Yaroslavlskyi, Przemyslskyi, Leskivskyi, Zamostivskyi, Krasnostavskyi, Bilgorayskyi and Wlodavskyi. In addition, the agreement allowed the resettlement of Ukrainians from other regions of Poland who wished to return to the territory of Soviet Ukraine. As for the Poles and Jews who lived in the Ukrainian SSR, they were offered to voluntarily return to Poland.
The document emphasized that resettlement was to be voluntary, and no citizen was to be subjected to coercion, either directly or indirectly. However, this principle was not followed in practice. The period for evacuation was set from October 15, 1944 to February 1, 1945.
The Lublin Agreement actually marked the beginning of the establishment of a clear border between the two nations – Ukrainian and Polish. The agreement did not mention the Soviet Union, although it played a key role in this resettlement policy. The Soviet leadership sought to create ethnically pure borders between the Ukrainian SSR and Poland in order to reduce tensions between the two peoples.
According to the agreement, international law guaranteed full compensation for the property left behind by the displaced. There was even an official description of the property that was to be compensated, with the exception of the value of the land. However, in practice the compensation was never implemented.
As soon as it became clear that neither Poles nor Ukrainians wanted to leave their native lands, resettlement began to be carried out forcibly. The pressure on the population increased every month, and the voluntary nature of the evacuation gave way to violent measures.
By October 1946, according to official data, 812,688 people were resettled from the territory of Ukraine to Poland, and 472,635 people were resettled from Poland to the Ukrainian SSR by March 1947, which was approximately 122,450 Ukrainian families. Forced deportations were accompanied by the destruction of family ties and cultural traditions. At the same time, none of the promised compensation for lost property was paid either in Poland or in Soviet Ukraine, which only increased social tension and left many displaced people without a means of livelihood.
On September 9, 1776, the United Colonies of America were officially renamed the United States of North America
On September 9, 1776, in accordance with the decision of the Continental Congress, the United Colonies of America were officially renamed the United States of North America. It was an important event in the history of the formation of the United States, because at that time the new state consisted of 13 colonies that fought for their independence from the British Empire. That is why the first US flag featured 13 stripes and 13 stars, symbolizing these colonies.
It was later decided to keep the 13 stripes on the flag unchanged as a symbol of the original states, and to display each new state with an additional star. Thus, with each new state joining the United States, a new star appeared on the flag.
The American flag has three colors: white, red, and blue. White is associated with innocence and purity, blue with justice, and red with valor and bravery. This symbolism reflects the basic ideals on which the United States was built.
Fun fact: In 1989, the US Supreme Court ruled that the public burning of the American flag is a form of protest protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. This caused much debate in society, but was approved as part of the right to freedom of speech.
The exact person who came up with the name “United States of America” is still unknown. Some sources point to the American political thinker Thomas Paine, who used the terms “United Colonies”, “American States” and “Free and Independent States of America” in his writings. However, he never settled on any of them.
The official recognition of the name “United States of America” took place in the Declaration of Independence, the author of which was Thomas Jefferson. In a draft of the Declaration written by Jefferson in 1776, the phrase “Declaration of the Representatives of the United States of America assembled in General Congress” was used. However, in the final version of the Declaration, this phrase was changed to “Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America”.
Another interesting fact is that in a newspaper article under the pseudonym “The Planter”, the author spoke about the war and the huge losses, noting that “the United States of America is ready to yield for peace, although peace may be one of our greatest misfortunes.” This also indicates the active use of the name “United States of America” even before its official confirmation.
Initially, however, the name “United States of North America” was used. Only later was it transformed into the United States of America.
The abbreviation “US” first appeared in official documents of George Washington in 1791. At the same time, the abbreviation “USA” began to be actively used only in 1795.
Although the full name of the country sounds like “United States of America”, Americans themselves often shorten it simply to “America”.
The US has always been the target of attention, both for critics and supporters.
Osama bin Laden once said:
“We love death. USA loves life. That’s the whole difference between us.”
Fidel Castro said:
“The world lives on a powder keg that the USA is ready to blow up.”
Mark Twain remarked ironically:
“In the US, it seems to be accepted that the most expensive ties are worn by those who could do with a rope.”
