Holidays December 31
Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis around the world
Every year on this day in sunny Azerbaijan they are preparing to celebrate not only the New Year, but also celebrate the Day of National Solidarity of Azerbaijanis who live in different countries of the world. It must be said that this day was proclaimed for the first time on December 16, 1991, it was introduced by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, when he was still the chairman of the Supreme Majilis of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. After the proclamation, the entire Azerbaijani people accepted it as a national holiday. Several tens of millions of Azerbaijanis live all over the world, not only in their native land, but also in many Muslim countries, CIS countries, Scandinavian countries, France, Great Britain, and the countries of the Middle East. However, the largest diaspora, which has approximately two million people, lives in Russia. The main idea of the Day of National Solidarity of the World Azerbaijanis, as Aliyev stated, is the unification and solidarity of all world Azerbaijanis, wherever they are, and the union consists in respect for the national and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people, in attachment to the historical homeland, and an unkillable feeling ideas, pride that we all belong to the Azerbaijani people.
Shchedrets
December 31, which is celebrated by the inhabitants of the whole world as the last day of the outgoing year, used to be known to everyone under the old name Shchedrets. This day completes the Christmas time. Since ancient times in Russia, this holiday was very loved by Christians, there are a great many ancient traditions relating to this day. As usual, a table full of dishes was laid in Shchedrets, pork was an obligatory dish on this rich table, people believed that this dish would guarantee a good harvest and prosperity for the whole next year. Why pork, because pork meat is fat and satisfying, people just wanted to live the coming year. Before people sat down to dinner at a table, they entertained each other with special songs, which the people called - generosity. These songs were also supposed to bring good luck and prosperity. People gathered in small groups, dressed as devils, witches and animals and walked around the village, while singing songs and asking their neighbors for various treats or money. This ceremony was attended by both adults and children, absolutely everyone who had such a desire. As usual, in Shchedrets, groups of disguised people should be beaten up walking from house to house and singing under the windows of generosity, with their songs, the generosors begged the owners of the house for some food, a trifle or money. According to tradition, the owners of the house had to open themselves from the bounty hunters and laugh at them. In this case, the mummers sang generosity, the text of which contained comic threats. And only after that the owners were obliged to bestow the mummers. Treating these people, according to legend, the owners provided their home with luck for the whole next year. It was considered a great shame and a bad sign, if the owners did not treat the mummers, they not only called such a person a mean person, it was also believed that he would be overtaken by terrible diseases, various misfortunes, and he would have a bad harvest. So people walked with songs in the evening, and collected various treats in bags, and when the bags were full, the mummers went to their homes and sat down with their family at a rich table to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Saint Sylvester Day
On the eve of the New Year, in some Catholic countries, namely in Europe, the population celebrates St. Sylvester Day. This wonderful holiday from year to year is becoming more majestic, more fun and diverse. On St. Sylvester's Day, all people have fun, joke a lot, eat with pleasure and everyone is waiting for the New Year to come. What is the story of this holiday? There is a legend that in the year 314 from the Nativity of Christ, Pope Sylvester I caught the terrible monster of the sinister archaic serpent, which was called Leviathan. According to legend, in 1000, this snake was supposed to break free and destroy the whole world. Sylvester caught him and saved people from this grief. Such a legend has existed since ancient times and is passed on by our ancestors from generation to generation. Saint Sylvester went to heaven on December 31, since then the day of his death is revered as the day of Saint Sylvester. On this holiday, it is customary to dress up in fancy dress, dressed people call themselves Sylvester Claus. In some countries, according to tradition, the last day of the year is called "Sylvester".
Hogmanai
This holiday begins to be celebrated on the last evening of the month of December, and it lasts all night. Hogmanai is considered the same New Year, only in the Scottish national style. The celebration of this day includes a torchlight procession, a variety of beautiful fiery entertainment. This day is rich in fun parties, shows and original rides. The most significant Hogmanai events associated with the celebration of this festival take place in Edinburgh and Glasgow. If we talk about the origin of the word Hogmanai, then it is rather doubtful. Some say that it came from the Gaelic word "oge maidne", the literal translation is "new morning", and other historical sources claim that the source of this holiday originated from the Anglo-Saxon phrase, which was written as "Haleg Moneth" and translated as "holy month". However, it does not really matter which version is truly true, the only important thing is that it is a very important ancient holiday, it was even celebrated by pagans who worshiped fire and the sun in winter. The main symbol of the Hogmanai holiday is supposed to be considered a fire. It was lit when it gets dark on December 31, thanks to a lit fire, wisdom is transferred from the old past year to the new year. It is generally accepted that all the negative thoughts and hardships that were in the past year have come to an end, and people enter the new year with pure hope in their hearts. Actually, therefore, an important role is assigned to the fire procession and other activities that are associated with the fire element. A very important event on this day is the "Kylie" dance and the so-called "omen of the first leg", this omen lies in the prosperity of the very family in which the first noble guest will enter. It was considered very important that he was necessarily a brunette and had no physical defects on his body.
Holiday of the nineteenth day of the month of Sharaf
In accordance with the Gregorian calendar, this very day begins to celebrate Sharaf, which means, when translated from Arabic, "Honor". According to the 19-month Baha'i calendar, this very day is due to an important holiday called the Nineteenth day of the month of Sharaf. As you know, all the major world religions bring up only positive qualities in people. In the event of negative manifestations, it was believed that this was due to fanaticism and a misunderstanding of the very essence of this righteous doctrine. According to historical data, the prophet Bahá'u'lláh is considered to be the founder of this holiday; after all, it was he who proposed such a faith as Bahá'ís. In addition, she states the fact that if suddenly a religion has settled discord and hatred, it is necessary to abandon this religion. Because it is religion that should bring people strong friendships and true love.
December 31 on the folk calendar
Modest day
December 31, this is the last day of the outgoing year, on this day the memory of St. Modest, who served as archbishop in Jerusalem in the seventh century, is celebrated. According to historical data, Modest was born into a Christian family in Asia Minor. He was just a boy when he was attracted to hermit life and took tonsure. After some time, the young man became an abbot of the monastery of St. Theodosius the Great in Palestine. When the Persian troops attacked Syria and Palestine, they destroyed the Christian temples and captured the Jerusalem patriarch Zacharias. At that time, Modest was commissioned to manage the entire Jerusalem Church. Later, Modest restored the destroyed Christian shrines, buried the remains of the dead people, and helped him in this difficult matter, Patriarch John the Merciful. However, after about fourteen years, Patriarch Zachary returned from captivity, and Modest transferred all his temporary powers back to him. By the will of fate, the patriarch died, and Modest again took his post.
In ancient Russia, Saint Modest was considered the keeper of cattle, Christians prayed to him that he would protect their pets from death and predatory animals that could attack not cattle in droves. According to the old custom, on Modest day, men, as usual, tripled the brothers, a kind of collective feast, and meat snacks were an obligatory dish on them. It was believed that in this manner the saint was thanked for taking care of herds of pets. Women on this day were strictly forbidden to play cards. Christians believed that if women play cards, then in the summer all the cucumbers will bite chickens and the crop will be lost. On this day, it was possible to predict the fate of the whole next year. For prediction, a current was used on which bread was threshed. The one who wanted to know his share fell on the current, and listened: if there was something knocking on the questioner, it signaled death, ringing was heard, it means soon to be a wedding, and if a fortuneteller hears threshing, it means to be rich to him.
There was still such a custom: on the evening of December 31 it was necessary to take twelve boxes, add salt to them, name each box in the name of one of twelve months, and the next morning people checked the boxes. If the salt has become wet or melted in a box, the month that the box is called will be wet.
It was also believed that the weather in June should be the same as on this holiday.
Historical events December 31
1968 year Testing the world's first passenger supersonic aircraft
The first flight of a unique aircraft took place on December 31, 1968. In 1971, at the international exhibition of aviation equipment, in France, the Tu-144 made a number of demonstration flights. Its appearance and aerodynamic capabilities pleasantly surprised guests and organizers of the international show. The supersonic speed of the liner allowed him to cover the distance that an ordinary plane covered in 2 hours in one hour. In addition, for its time, the ship had a rather unusual construction and design, which caused admiration and surprise from ordinary people and specialists. However, despite its original external data and amazing aerodynamic capabilities, in practical use, the aircraft turned out to be rather weak in technical terms. The disaster that happened in 1973 in Le Bourget, serves as confirmation of the technical imperfection of the aircraft. During the accident, all crew members died, the causes of the crash of the aircraft have not yet been clarified. In 1975, the Tu-144 made its first long-distance flight on the route Moscow-Alma-Ata, the flight passed without incident. Since 1977, regular passenger flights on this plane began to operate on the Moscow-Alma-Ata route. Only two vessels worked on the route. In addition, specially trained pilots were allowed to fly the Tu-144; Aeroflot flight crews were accepted on board only as reserve pilots. A ticket for a liner was more expensive than a regular Tu. Due to imperfect technical characteristics and constantly occurring incidents, the operation of the vessel was called into question. In 1978, another plane crash occurred, which put an end to the passenger quarry of the Tu-144. In the future, the aircraft was used for some time for mail transportation, but was soon decommissioned.
1999 year resigned Boris Yeltsin
On New Year's Eve 1999, the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, resigned. Power was transferred to the then Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. In his body, Boris Nikolayevich informed the Russians about the grave condition of his health and the impossibility of fulfilling the duties of the President of the Russian Federation. Boris Yeltsin left the post of president ahead of schedule, which became a precedent in Russian history of the 20th century. For a Russian, President Yeltsin went down in history as the first president of independent Russia, as president of a democrat and reformer. Boris Nikolaevich was distinguished by a peculiar Russian color, an open soul and true love for his homeland. In his last address as head of state, Yeltsin expressed the hope that, with the advent of young and talented politicians, Russia will receive a new impetus in its development. The President expressed the hope that his foreign and domestic policies, in general terms, would be preserved by his successor. The president also apologized to Russian citizens for their mistakes and unfulfilled promises. After the resignation, Boris Nikolayevich went on a well-deserved rest, and in April 2000 he was awarded the certificate of a pensioner and a veteran of labor. Soon after Yeltsin resigned as head of state, presidential elections were held in the country, in which V.V. Putin won However, as subsequent events showed, Putin began to pursue a policy of centralization and usurpation of power, which was fundamentally different from the democratic style of government of Boris Yeltsin. The Yeltsin era is a difficult test for the Russian people, which he passed with honor, including thanks to Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin.
1857 year Ottawa declared the capital of Canada
In December 1857, Queen Victoria of Great Britain declared the capital of colonial Canada, Ottawa, a small village in the south of the colony. In the past, there was a kind of import on the site of the village, that is, a place for trade, where Indian tribes held fairs. Later, during the colonization of the continent, on the site of Ottawa, the village of lumberjacks arose, which, 40 years later, was declared the capital of the new colony. At that time, Ottawa was the only settlement that existed in the area of the great American lakes. In 1867, Ottawa became the official capital of the dominant state of Canada. Today, Ottawa is a major city, the fourth largest in the country. Ottawa performs the functions of not only the capital of the state, the city is an important cultural and economic center of the country. Ottawa's population is approaching one million people. Ottawa is a very green and clean city. In the capital of Canada there is no such thing as an outskirts, for the city, both in the center and on the outskirts, is well-groomed and clean. Neat cottages, cleaned streets and trimmed lawns, richly decorated government offices and the perfectly preserved old part of the city make Ottawa one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A traveler who has visited the capital of Canada at least once will never forget the coziness and beauty of this city.
year 2009 Terrorist attack in Espoo
On December 31, 2009, in one of the shopping centers in the Finnish city of Espoo, a mentally ill native of Albania, he opened indiscriminate shooting at employees and visitors of the shopping center. As a result, several people died, dozens were seriously injured. The subject of Albania, Ibrahim Shkupolli, turned out to be a terrorist.Allegedly, the reason for this act was a quarrel with her lover. During the conflict, Ibrahim killed the girl in her house, and then headed to the shopping center. Having arranged there, a bloody showdown, Ibrahim committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Ibrahim came to Finland to earn money, he was married at home, but this did not stop him from having an affair far from his homeland. The investigation also established that the deceased girl worked in the same shopping center in which the tragedy occurred. The criminal first began to shoot at cars standing near the shopping center, and then burst into the center building. After shooting at the shopping center, Ibrahim went to his brother’s house, but police soon arrived. Not wanting to surrender into the hands of justice, Ibrahim shot himself at 11 hours 13 minutes. After such a daring crime, the Finnish government decided to revise the principles of migration policy. It is supposed to tighten the conditions for immigration to the country, and for some countries to limit it altogether.
2007 year Bhutan Parliamentary Elections
December 31, elections were held in the new parliament of Bhutan, the National Council. The number of deputies to the council is not large, only 25 members. It is interesting that the people elect 20 deputies, the remaining 5 are appointed by the king. Elections are held in direct voting, in twenty provinces. The number of voters does not exceed 313,000. Under Bhutan's electoral law, provincial elections can be held if at least two candidates apply for a deputy mandate. Elections to the first election campaign in five provinces did not take place, due to the presence of only one candidate, or to the complete absence of candidates for a deputy mandate. Elections to the National Council are significantly different from elections to the National Assembly. Elections to the assembly are held according to party lists, and to the national council on the majority system. They try to elect people respected among the people representing the interests of all walks of life in the national council. Candidates for the national council must strictly meet two main criteria: not to be a member of any political party and have completed higher education. Candidates are selected by special meetings, the zomdus, convened in each province. Thus, the constitutional reform carried out in Bhutan gives hope for the construction of a democratic society in the country.
Born on December 31
Anthony Hopkins (1937), American actor, director
An actor was born in the UK in Port Talbot, County Wales. When the guy turned twenty-six years old, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After graduating, he played in an amateur theater and unexpectedly won a scholarship, which gave him the opportunity to study at the Theater and Music College in Cardiff. There he studied for two years, and he was taken into the army. After serving, Anthony was invited to audition for Sir Lawrence Olivier, who at that time directed the National Theater. After two years, Hopkins became an understudy Olivier. Once in the midst of artistic bohemia, the previously unsociable Anthony bloomed in front of his eyes. He became very sociable, he was called the "soul of the company." Soon he began to play in Shakespeare's productions, and in the movie he played his first role in 1968, it was a film of historical orientation. Then the British Academy, this film was recognized as the best, and was recognized as the best leading role of Anthony Hopkins. Tony was very happy, because this was his first award. The actor appeared on American screens in 1973, critics wrote that this is the most successful role of Hopkins in his acting career. This was followed by many films and performances with the participation of Tony. And in 1987, Queen Elizabeth awarded Anthony the knighthood, which meant that at home he appreciated his merits in the art of Great Britain around the world. Subsequently, he was nominated for an Oscar as the performer of the best leading role, was the holder of the title of Best Actor. In the directorial field, the actor showed himself in 1996, released a film based on A.P. Chekhov, personally wrote the music for the film and, moreover, starred in the main role. Then he shot various pictures, and he himself took part in them, if not the main, then necessarily an episodic role. Anthony Hopkins has professional acting talents. Each of his roles is not played, but lived by the actor.
Semyon Farada (1933-2009), an outstanding comedian
An outstanding artist was born in the Moscow region on December 31, 1933, in the village of Nikolskoye. Last name at birth, Ferdman. He received his higher education at the University of Bauman, after his graduation he began to work as an engineer. Since 1970, Farada begins to try himself on the stage. In 1972, the young artist was invited to work in the drama and comedy theater on Taganka. There he plays in the productions: “The Master and Margarita”, “Hamlet”, “The Good Man from Cesuan” and others. Farada first appeared in films in the late 1960s, in the film “Holidays in the Stone Age”. Having seen the comedic talent of the actor, the directors began to invite Farada to comedy roles. In the films “The Same Munchausen”, “Garage”, “After Rain on Thursday”, “Wizards”, “Formula of Love” Farada plays brilliantly, for which he receives a number of awards and awards. The great actor played in more than 70 films, and each of his roles became original and unique. The actor’s last known movie was: “Midshipmen, Forward” and “Private Detective, or Operation-Cooperation”. In 1999, the artist was awarded the title of People's Artist of Russia. In recent years, Semen Lvovich was seriously ill, after two suffered strokes, the actor became disabled. Long-term treatment and rehabilitation did not give a significant effect. In recent years, the artist was in a helpless state and needed round-the-clock care and care.
Elizaveta Zarubina (1900-1987), Soviet intelligence officer, KGB lieutenant colonel
An outstanding Soviet intelligence was born on December 31, 1900, in the Moldavian village of Rzhavantsi. She graduated from the Faculty of Philology of the University, was fluent in Romanian, English, German and French. From his youth he has been a member of communist organizations in the underground Komsomol organization of Bessarabia and in the Communist Party of Austria. In 1925, she took Soviet citizenship and began working as a translator of the USSR trade representative in Vienna. In 1928, she undergoes training and special training in Moscow, where she is issued personal documents for me, Gorskaya Elizaveta Yuryevna. There she marries a scout Vasily Zarubin. In 1929, the Soviet secret services introduced the Zarubin spouses to the Western European community. Pretending to be a Czech married couple, Zarubins leave for Denmark, and from there go to Paris. Spouses Zarubina were highly professional and a sense of duty, and unlike other masters of intelligence, the couple never failed. In the 1990s, it became known about the great contribution of the Zarubin spouses in exploring the secrets of creating an American atomic bomb. Elizaveta Yulievna was an extremely beautiful woman, she was brought up in the spirit of high culture and education. In everyday life, the scout was unusually modest and shy. Thanks to her dedicated work, she reached the highest rank for a woman, lieutenant colonel of the State Security Committee. During her lifetime, she was called the legendary scout.
Pierre-Charles de Villeneuve (1763-1806), Admiral of the French Navy
The admiral was born on December 31, 1763, in a noble family. From the age of 15 he has been serving in the naval guard. He takes part in the colonial wars in America. In 1786 it was transferred to the Mediterranean fleet, where it already commands the ship. Under Napoleon's reign, Pierre successfully advanced up the ranks. He takes part in the Egyptian campaign of Napoleon, but he behaves very contradictory. On the one hand, it takes command of the fleet, instead of the deceased Admiral Bruet, and on the other hand surrenders to the British off the coast of Malta. Despite the first setbacks, in 1904, Napoleon appointed Pierre-Charles, Rear Admiral of the fleet. A year later, Pierre-Charles de Villeneuve became the commander of the entire French fleet. Conducts a unsuccessful Franco-Spanish naval operation against the English fleet. Takes a trip to the Caribbean islands. In general, Napoleon is not very satisfied with the admiral, de Villeneuve, often violates the orders of the emperor, in emergency situations shows passivity and weak-heartedness. This happened during a joint Franco-Spanish operation, during which the admiral simply abandoned his allies and retired. Some historians explain this contradictory behavior of the admiral, the poor condition of the French fleet and the admiral’s desire to maneuver and evade complete defeat, is an attempt to save the fleet. His last unsuccessful battle was the battle at Cape Trafalgar, in this battle the admiral suffers a crushing defeat. This concludes the career of Pierre-Charles as a military strategist.
Emil Loubet (1838-1929), President of France
Born in the town of Marsanne, in France. He began his career as a lawyer. In 1885 he was elected to the Senate, and a year later became a minister. In 1892, he was appointed Prime Minister of France, but did not stay long in this post and soon resigned due to backroom games and political scandals. Two years later, he again becomes the country's Prime Minister. After that, he is elected president of the Senate. In 1899, Loubet was elected President of the Third French Republic. In those days, the President of France was elected in Parliament. In the reign of Emile Lubet, in France, the foundation of the state apparatus is laid, permanent ministries appear. In the period before the First World War, the president took an active part in the creation of the anti-German coalition - the Entente. Maintains close ties with the English and Russian courts. He makes state visits to England and Russia. Met with Emperor Nicholas and King of England Edward. By nature, President Loubet was an honest and respectable person, in conflicts he tried to find a compromise, strictly followed the laws and the constitution. Never violated the presidential protocol. After the end of his presidency, he settled in the small town of Montelimar, whose inhabitants asked Emil to be their mayor. The president lived a long life and almost lived to the 91st year.
Birthday December 31
George, Vera, Elizabeth, Mark, Zoya, Sergey, Fedor.
