January 29 is celebrated in Ukraine as the Day of Remembrance of Cool Heroes, in the world — the International Day of Mobilization against the Threat of Nuclear War, the Day of the Invention of the Gasoline Car, the Day of Puzzles and the Chinese New Year.
January 29, 1601 was a significant date in the history of Swiss watchmaking.
On January 29, 1805, Kharkiv National University was opened.
The Day of Remembrance of Heroes of Krut
Today, Ukraine commemorates the young men who in 1918 defended the young Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR) near the Kruty station. It was one of the first heroic pages of the Ukrainian people’s struggle for independence.
At that time, Bolshevik troops under the command of Mykhailo Muravyov were advancing on Kyiv. The Ukrainian government, not having a sufficiently combat-ready army, sent a detachment of volunteers, among whom there were about 300 students and high school students, to defend the capital. Despite the significant advantage of the enemy, the Ukrainians were able to delay the Bolshevik offensive for several days, inflicting significant losses on the enemy.
Thanks to this, the Ukrainian delegation managed to conclude the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty, which internationally recognized the Ukrainian People’s Republic as an independent state. The losses at Kruty became a symbol of sacrifice and love for the Motherland.
Interesting facts
Most of the Ukrainian soldiers were students of St. Volodymyr Kyiv University and Ukrainian National University, as well as cadets of the military school.
The battle lasted almost 5 hours, and despite the significant numerical advantage of the Bolsheviks, the Ukrainian forces organized an effective defense.
After the battle, about 30 students were captured, where they were executed by the Red Army. They were buried at the Askold grave in Kyiv.
Thanks to this delay, the Ukrainian delegation signed the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, which saved the Ukrainian People’s Republic from full occupation.
The Battle of Kruty is compared to the Battle of Thermopylae, because it became a symbol of the struggle for independence against overwhelming enemy forces.
International day of mobilization against the threat of nuclear war
The International Day of Mobilization Against the Threat of Nuclear War is a reminder of the global risks associated with nuclear weapons, as well as a call to the world community to strengthen security measures and peaceful conflict resolution.
After the end of the Second World War, humanity realized the catastrophic consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. The explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki became a terrible example of the destructive power of the nuclear arsenal. Subsequently, a nuclear arms race began, which brought the world to the brink of disaster during the Cold War.
The main goal of this day is to draw attention to the need for disarmament, strengthening international treaties on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and preventing military conflicts that could lead to a nuclear catastrophe.
Interesting facts
There are currently more than 12,000 nuclear warheads in the world, most of which belong to the United States and Russia.
The only case of combat use of nuclear weapons occurred in 1945, when the USA dropped bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
During the 1962 Caribbean crisis, the world was on the brink of nuclear war, but it was averted thanks to diplomatic negotiations between the US and the USSR.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), signed in 1968, became one of the key international mechanisms for controlling nuclear arsenals.
The largest nuclear explosion in history occurred in 1961 — it was the test of the Soviet «Tsar bomb», which was 3,800 times more powerful than the explosion in Hiroshima.
The day of the invention of the gasoline car
January 29, 1886 became a significant date in the history of automobile construction — it was on this day that the German engineer Karl Benz received a patent for the world’s first car with a gasoline engine. This event marked the beginning of the era of motorized transport and became a key step in the development of the modern car.
The three-wheeled Benz Patent-Motorwagen had a single-cylinder gasoline engine with a capacity of 0.75 horsepower. Its maximum speed was about 16 km/h. Although the design was quite simple, it laid the foundation for the further development of the automotive industry.
The development of gasoline cars continued at a rapid pace, and already at the end of the 19th century they began to supplant steam and electric vehicles. Thanks to this invention in the 20th century, the world experienced a real automobile revolution, which significantly changed the way of life of people and the economy.
Interesting facts
Karl Benz’s car had only three wheels, because it was created on the basis of a motorized carriage, and not a traditional horse-drawn carriage.
The first test took place in secret, because society at that time did not yet accept the idea of self-driving cars.
The inventor’s wife, Bertha Benz, drove 106 km in 1888 to prove the car’s practicality.
Initially, almost no one bought the patented model, but later the engineer improved it, and this became the beginning of the auto industry.
The modern Mercedes-Benz company traces its lineage back to Karl Benz’s invention, and his car is considered a symbol of the beginning of the automotive era.
Puzzle Day
This holiday is dedicated to all lovers of intellectual games, such as crosswords, sudoku and chess problems, as well as modern digital games that test logic and creativity.
Puzzles have accompanied humanity for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations created riddles and mathematical problems, and during the Renaissance, mechanical puzzles were especially popular. Today, they have turned into a whole industry — from the famous Rubik’s cube to complex computer games.
The main purpose of this day is to emphasize the importance of intellectual leisure. Solving puzzles is not only fun, but also improves memory, develops logical thinking and helps concentration.
Interesting facts
The oldest puzzles are found in the ancient Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations.
The Rubik’s Cube is one of the most famous mechanical puzzles in the world, which was invented by the Hungarian Erne Rubik in 1974.
Sudoku does not come from Japan, as many people think, but from Switzerland — its counterpart first appeared in the 18th century.
The oldest crossword was published in 1913 in a newspaper New York World American journalist Arthur Winn.
Puzzles promote the development of neuroplasticity, that is, the ability of the brain to adapt and create new neural connections.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese tradition. Its date changes every year because it is determined by the lunar calendar. The holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, so it is celebrated between January 21 and February 20.
This holiday symbolizes the beginning of a new year according to the Chinese zodiac, each year dedicated to one of 12 animals that have their own unique characteristics. In China and many Asian countries, this period is accompanied by large-scale celebrations, family gatherings, bright festivals and grandiose fireworks.
The main traditions of Chinese New Year include decorating houses in red, setting off fireworks to scare away evil spirits, giving children red money envelopes (hongbao) and a festive table with traditional dishes.
Interesting facts
The celebration lasts 15 days, and ends with a bright Festival of Lanterns.
During this period, millions of people travel to their relatives, which creates the largest population migration in the world.
The color red is considered a symbol of good luck, so it dominates decorations and clothing during celebrations.
According to legend, the holiday is associated with the mythical beast Nian, which attacked villages but was afraid of the color red and loud noises.
Chinese New Year is celebrated not only in China, but also in many Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Korea.
Historical events on this day
1616 year Dutch navigators Jakob Lemer and Willem Schouten made an important geographical discovery — they reached the southernmost point of South America, which they named Cape Horn. This discovery became key to navigation, as the cape had long served as one of the main sea routes between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
1635 year Cardinal Richelieu founded the French Academy of Sciences, a scientific institution that later became one of the centers of the development of European science and culture.
1805 year Emperor Alexander I signed a decree on the establishment of the Imperial University in Kharkiv — the second oldest university in the territory of modern Ukraine after Lviv. This became an important stage in the development of higher education and science in Ukraine.
1856 year Queen Victoria of Great Britain established the Victoria Cross military award, which became the highest award for bravery in Great Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations.
1886 German engineer Karl Benz received a patent for the first car with an internal combustion engine. This was the beginning of the automotive era, which radically changed world transport.
1896 American physicist Emil Grubbe first used radioactive radiation to treat cancer. This step became revolutionary for medicine, starting the use of radiotherapy in the fight against cancer.
1907 Lee de Forest received a patent for the audion (triode), the first practical electronic amplifier, which pioneered the development of electronics and radio communication.
1918 the battle near Kruty took place — one of the most heroic pages of Ukrainian history. A detachment of students and cadets restrained the advance of the Red Army, which enabled the Ukrainian government to conclude the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and gain international recognition of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
1930 year at the request of the Soviet special services, a meeting of the clergy of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) took place in Kyiv, which, under pressure, decided to dissolve itself. This became one of the steps taken by the Soviet authorities to destroy the independent church tradition in Ukraine.
1996 French President Jacques Chirac announced the complete cessation of nuclear testing. This was an important step in the international policy of nuclear arms control.
2000 year A unique event took place in a Las Vegas casino — waitress Cynthia Jay won a record $35 million on the One-Armed Bandit slot machine. This is the biggest win in the history of slot machine gambling.
400 years of Swiss watchmaking
January 29, 1601 was a significant date in the history of Swiss watchmaking. It was on this day that the Geneva watchmakers’ guild got the city authorities to pass a decree regulating the training of masters. From now on, to become an expert in the creation of watches, it was necessary to undergo a five-year training, and for the jewelry craft — a ten-year one.
The educational program included not only the practical part, but also deep theoretical training — mathematics, physics, metallurgy, drawing and the history of the development of watchmaking. In order to receive a master’s diploma, the student had to independently produce a unique watch or jewelry product, which was distinguished by the quality of execution and originality of design, within a year after graduation. It was then, more than 400 years ago, that the foundation of Swiss precision and quality that made this brand famous around the world was laid.
Today, Switzerland produces about 30 million watches each year, which is only 2.5% of the world market in quantitative terms. However, the value of these products exceeds 50% of the world watch industry market.
By law, watches can be called «Swiss Made» only if they are finally assembled and certified in Switzerland, and if at least 60% of the cost is made up of Swiss components. For mechanical watches, this indicator is even higher — 80% of the parts must be made in Switzerland.
The most prestigious certification of Swiss watchmaking is the «Geneva mark» — an engraving with the coat of arms of Geneva. The shield shows a key (right) and half of a double-headed eagle (left). The presence of this mark guarantees that the movement has been assembled, adjusted and cased in the canton of Geneva, and that all parts have been finished to the highest standards.
Every year, 40 million counterfeit watches enter the world market, while only 30 million genuine Swiss watches are produced. The irony is that the largest producer of fakes is China, while at the same time the Chinese are the main buyers of genuine Swiss watches.
Modern Swiss watchmaking is divided into two traditions:
- The Geneva School is an exclusive model that combines art and high precision.
- The Jurassic School is a mass production of watches «for everyone», which is focused on quality and affordability. The factories, located in the Jurassic Mountains, specialize in the production of watches for the general public.
Watch terminology for amateurs
- The perpetual calendar is a mechanism that automatically takes leap years into account. A small gear connected to the calendar rotates every four years. Adjustment is required only once every 100 years.
- A repeater is a combat mechanism that reproduces the hours, quarters and minutes with different sounds. It was invented even before the advent of electricity, so that you could find out the time in the dark.
- Skeleton — watches with a transparent case, which allows you to see their mechanism in motion.
- A tourbillon is a device that partially compensates for the effect of Earth’s gravity on the watch mechanism, which ensures maximum accuracy. Invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801.
- A chronometer is a watch with high accuracy (an error of no more than five seconds per day). Chronometer certification is carried out by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control Service. Rolex, Omega and Breitling receive the most certificates.
It is interesting that in Switzerland there is a dual system of vocational education, which allows young people to study in two places at the same time — at an enterprise and at a vocational school.
Education begins at the age of 15 and lasts until the age of 18-19. For three to four days a week, students get practical skills at enterprises, and the rest of the time they attend vocational schools, where they study theory.
The main feature of this system is that students receive a salary for work during their studies. In Switzerland, you can acquire 230 different specialties in vocational schools, which ensures high quality training of specialists in all fields.
Watchmaking remains one of the main hallmarks of Switzerland. It combines tradition, innovation and impeccable quality, which has made Swiss Made a symbol of perfection all over the world.
Opening of Kharkiv National University
On January 29, 1805, an official event took place, which became a landmark for Ukrainian education — in accordance with the approved charter, the Imperial Kharkiv University was opened. This year, the institution celebrates another anniversary, which is an occasion to remember its rich history, achievements and trials.
In the first year of its existence, only 57 students studied at the university, of which 33 studied at the state’s expense, and 24 at their own expense. An important problem at the beginning of the 19th century was that most students did not know Latin, because all foreign teachers gave lectures in this language. Because of this, graduates of public schools, where Latin was not taught, had significant difficulties in their studies. In addition, the teaching staff of the university at that time mainly consisted of foreigners. As a result, only 26 students were able to complete their studies from the first graduation.
The university of that time had strict rules. Women were categorically forbidden to study, which was confirmed by clause 17 of the rules for students: «Women are not allowed to listen to university lectures.» Also, beginning in the 1830s, students were prohibited from marrying, smoking, wearing mustaches, visiting theaters and taverns, and wearing any clothing other than a uniform. In addition, it was strictly forbidden to join any secret societies.
Over the years, Kharkiv University has become a center for the development of science and education. He stood near the origins of such great institutions as law, economics, medical universities, the pharmaceutical academy, the pedagogical university named after G. Frying pans and other educational institutions.
During its history, the university had honorary members and world-class doctors, including Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, Ivan Franko, Leo Tolstoy, and Pavlo Semenov-Tian-Shansky. One of the university’s honorary doctors is Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, the first president of Ukraine.
This is the only university in Ukraine where three Nobel laureates studied and worked: Ilya Mechnikov – biologist, Simon (Semen) Kuznets – economist, Lev Landau – physicist.
In the 1930s, the university built two underground levels that were used for communications and as a bomb shelter. There are many legends about the existence of underground passages of the university, but all official plans disappeared during the Second World War. In general, Kharkiv has been known for myths about underground labyrinths and hidden treasures since its foundation.
From 1936 to 1999, the university bore the name of Maksym Gorky — and only in October 1999, by decree of the President of Ukraine, the name of its founder, Vasyl Karazin, was returned to it, and it was also granted the status of a national university.
The monument to the founder of the university changed its place four times:
- 1905 – installed on Sumska Street at the exit from the University Garden.
- 1934 – moved to Universitetska Street, and a monument to Taras Shevchenko was erected in its place.
- 1937 – sent for remelting, but accidentally saved. It remained at the factory for another 20 years before it was installed again in Shevchenko’s garden.
- 2004 — in honor of the 200th anniversary of the university, the monument was moved to the main building, where it still stands today.
On September 24, 2008, Karazin Kharkiv National University and Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University were recognized as the best higher educational institutions of Ukraine.
However, the war that began in 2022 left its bloody mark in the history of the university. On March 2, 2022, at 8:10 a.m., Russian troops hit one of the university buildings with a rocket — the building of the Faculty of Sociology was destroyed. On March 11, the Faculty of Physics and Technology came under fire. On March 18, a rocket hit the Institute of Public Administration.
Despite all the trials, Kharkiv University remains a symbol of education, science and culture. It survived war, revolutions and political changes, but continues to live and educate new generations of scientists and professionals.
