National Typewriter Day (USA) is June 23 and we are using the
day to celebrate the written word!
On this day in 1868, inventor Christopher Latham Sholes was granted a patent
for his typewriting machine. Now, typewriter enthusiasts everywhere use this
day as a chance to celebrate the impact the typewriter has had on the way we
write and the way we communicate with our world.
Victory Day (Võidupüha) marks the decisive battle during the Estonian War of
Independence in which the country’s military forces and their allies defeated
the German forces who sought to re-assert control over the region. The day has
been celebrated on 23 June every year from 1934 until 1939 and then again after
the restoration of Estonian independence, from 1992. Although it marks the
important historical battle, the annual military parade also commemorates and
recognises the contributions of all Estonians in their fight to regain and
retain their independence.
The Victory Day is celebrated all over the country, but the
main parade usually rotates between towns.
The
background
At the end of the First World War, Estonia was
engaged in a war for its own independence with two former major powers. At the
time of the armistice that ended the Great War on 11 November 1918, the
Estonian Provisional Government was forced to defend its declaration of
independence against attacks by Soviet Russian troops and a Baltic-German
Landeswehr army under General Rüdiger von der Goltz. By the end of December
1918, the Soviet-Russian forces, in an effort to re-establish the borders of
the Russian Empire, had succeeded in occupying half of Estonia.
However, the tide began to turn in late
December 1918 when Finnish volunteers, as well as British naval assistance,
began to arrive in Estonia to support the country’s defence. By the time the
volunteers and the equipment reached the front, the Soviet advance had been
halted and in less than a month Estonia was virtually cleared of all Soviet
forces.
However, intermittent fighting continued
on the eastern and southern fronts throughout 1919. In northern Latvia, a mixed
Estonian-Latvian force under the Estonian command of General Johan Laidoner
defeated the Red Army troops operating in northern Latvia. However, half of
Latvia was still occupied by the troops of von der Goltz.
In early June 1919, von der Goltz
advanced and attempted to isolate the right wing of the Estonian Army. Despite
his well-equipped and experienced troops, his army was defeated. The final
battle at Cēsis (Võnnu in Estonian) on 23 June saw the collapse of the von der
Goltz army. Following this victory, Estonian and Latvian forces co-operated to
ensure the fall of the puppet regime that had been established in Riga.
Latvia’s freedom was regained and Estonia’s borders were secured.
The defeat of the two invading forces in
1919 and the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty in 1920 between Estonia and
Soviet Russia marked the successful achievement of Estonia’s independence after
centuries of struggle, and thus 23 June became a day to celebrate this victory.
It is important to note that a
multi-national force helped Estonia to win its independence. Along with 85,500
Estonians, 3,700 Finns, more than 5,000 Russians of the North West White Army
(under the command of the Estonian Defence Forces General Staff), 9,800
Latvians, 3,000 British, 400 Swedes and 250 Danes and up to 700 Baltic Germans
(who were Estonian citizens, but had a separate Baltic Battalion) fought for
the country.
Luxembourg National Day is celebrated every year on June 23 to mark the official
birthday of the ruler of Luxembourg. Did you know that Luxembourg was a part of
the ancient Roman Empire and produced several Holy Roman Emperors? National Day
of Luxembourg is usually a festive day in the city of Luxembourg. The
celebration starts with a change of the guard at the Grand-Ducal palace on June
22, then a torchlight procession, open-air concerts, and fireworks. National
Day of Luxembourg kickstarts with an official ceremony, a gun salute, a
military parade, and the traditional Te Deum at the cathedral Notre Dame.
Although nowadays, June 23 is set as the Luxembourg National
Day, the date has actually changed many times, The country has celebrated the
sovereign’s birthday since the 18th century and this tradition was
maintained after Luxembourg became a sovereign state in 1815. The date on which
Luxembourg celebrates its National Day has therefore changed with ever reign:
From 1816 onwards, the people of Luxembourg celebrated the
anniversary of the birth of King Grand Duke William I on April 24.
Under William II, National Day was celebrated on December 6.
Under William III, the birthday was celebrated on June 17,
and from 1860 onwards it changed to February 19.
After Grand Duke Adolphe’s ascension to the Throne in 1890,
the National Day was on July 24.
Under Guillaume IV, it took place on April 22.
Under Mare-Adelaide, the festivities took place on June 14
from 1913 onwards.
When Grand Duchess Charlotte acceded the throne in 1919, 23
January became the National Day. In 1947, the day of the celebration of the
Grand Duchess’ birthday was declared a public holiday.
The official day of celebrating the sovereign’s birthday was
eventually changed to 23 June in 1961 by Grand Ducal order, which was
maintained under the successive reigns of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duke Henri.
The term ‘National Day’ actually does not appear in any legal texts. It is
referred to as ‘the day of the official celebration of the anniversary of the
Grand Duke’s birth’. Luxembourgers commonly call it either ‘Groussherzogsgebuertsdag’(the
birthday of the Grand Duke) or ‘Nationalfeierdag’ (National Day).
Observed annually on 23 June, International Widows Day (IWD) is a significant occasion dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of widows worldwide and advocating for their rights and well-being. his day was first recognized and established by the United Nations in 2011, acknowledging the hardships faced by widows globally and the need to address their unique social, economic, and legal issues.
International Widows Day is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by widows worldwide and the need to address their rights and well-being. By raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and providing support, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where widows are valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. Let us work together to ensure that widows are empowered and their voices are heard, contributing to a better world for all.
History of International Widows Day
The International Day of Widows was officially declared by the United Nations (UN) on 21 December 2010 by passing a resolution called "In Support of Widows and Their Children". The history of International Widows Day has its roots from the Loomba Foundation located in the United Kingdom. The foundation is a charitable trust founded by Lord Raj Loomba which works on an international level for empowerment of widows.
Significance of International Widows Day
The significance of celebrating the International Widows Day is to
highlight the issues like denial of inheritance rights, social exclusion,
gender discrimination, forceful remarriage, economic problems, etc faced by
widows and find a permanent solution for them by passing laws and regulations.
Observed annually on 23 June, International Olympic Day holds a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts worldwide. This momentous occasion commemorates the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894 and serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports.
International Olympic Day provides a platform to inspire young athletes and celebrate their achievements. It serves as a reminder that sports can empower individuals, instil discipline, and promote teamwork. By showcasing the success stories of Olympic athletes, this day encourages young people to pursue their sporting dreams and strive for excellence.
Beyond its focus on physical activity, International Olympic Day also highlights the broader impact of sports on society. Sports have the power to unite people, promote peace, and foster understanding among diverse cultures. By participating in International Olympic Day activities, individuals contribute to a legacy of sporting excellence and international cooperation.
History of International Olympic Day
The history of International Olympic Day dates back to 23 June 1894, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded at the Sorbonne in Paris. The day was established by IOC in 1948 to encourage individuals from all walks of life to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
The first International Olympic Day was celebrated in Paris at the Sorbonne, where the modern Olympic Games were born. Since then, this day has evolved into a global celebration that transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries. It encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in physical activities, fostering a sense of global camaraderie and mutual understanding.
Significance of International Olympic Day
International Olympic Day holds immense
significance as it serves as a platform to celebrate the values of
sportsmanship, unity, and fair play. It promotes the idea that through sports,
individuals can overcome barriers, foster understanding, and work towards a
common goal. By participating in International Olympic Day activities,
individuals contribute to a global movement that encourages physical activity,
healthy living, and the pursuit of excellence. This day also serves as a
reminder of the power of sports to inspire and bring people together,
transcending cultural, social, and political differences.
At its core, International
Olympic Day emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and healthy living.
Through various activities such as fun runs, sports events, and educational
workshops, this day encourages individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives.
By participating in these activities, people not only contribute to their own
well-being but also inspire others to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
World Camel Day honours the incredible camel and its importance in many spheres of life. In order to highlight the importance of the camel at the global level, Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar founded World Camel Day. Every year since its launch in 2009, World Camel Day has been celebrated on 22 June. Camel habitats observe World Camel Day on this date because it is the longest and hottest day in the year.
Camel, (genus Camelus), are any of three species of large ruminating hoofed mammals of arid Africa and Asia known for their ability to go for long periods without drinking. The Arabian camel, or dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), has one back hump, while the domesticated Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) and the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) have two.
World Camel Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of camels to the ecosystems, cultures, and economies of the regions where they are found. The day aims to highlight the contributions of camels to human societies and to promote their conservation and sustainable use. Camels play a crucial role in the livelihoods of millions of people in arid regions. These animals are widely used mainly for transportation and milk production.
Camels are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage and traditions of many
communities, especially in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia.
World Rainforest Day, observed annually on June 22 worldwide, is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and conserving rainforests for future generations. These ecosystems provide crucial ecological benefits, supporting diverse plant and animal species, regulating climate, and supplying essential resources.
Initiated by the Rainforest Partnership in 2017, World Rainforest Day celebrates the importance of maintaining healthy, intact rainforests for climate stability, biodiversity preservation, cultural heritage, and sustainable livelihoods. It serves as a global platform to promote efforts in safeguarding and restoring these vital environments.
Rainforests play a critical role in climate regulation and carbon sequestration, influencing weather patterns by releasing water vapour from leaves to form atmospheric rivers, thereby supplying essential precipitation to distant regions.
Recognised as 'living pharmacies,' rainforests harbour untapped biodiversity valuable for developing new medicines and sustaining daily essentials such as coffee, spices, fruits, and vegetables.
Covering approximately 1.2 billion hectares (3 billion acres), tropical rainforests are pivotal in maintaining global ecological balance, often called the Earth's thermostat.
The Amazon rainforest, known as the ‘lungs of the planet,' is the world's largest tropical rainforest, contributing about 20% of Earth's oxygen and storing significant amounts of carbon dioxide, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Tropical rainforests provide crucial habitats for over 30
million species of plants and animals, and sustain over 30 million people,
including 350 Indigenous and ethnic groups with distinct cultural identities
and traditions.
August 24 is the Independence Day of Ukraine, marking the anniversary of the nation's declaration of independence from the Soviet Un...
