The rapid development of aviation, the use of aircraft for reconnaissance and air strikes served as an impetus for the creation of units that fought against enemy aircraft. In the Russian army, the first air defense units were created at the end of 1914. They fought against enemy airships and airplanes. The first battles showed the effectiveness of the units. Despite the lack of special weapons, they could destroy airplanes on approach to important objects. At first, conventional machine guns and light cannons were used, which were mounted on turrets. A few months later, units began to be armed with 8-K anti-aircraft guns. The gun had a caliber of 76.2 mm and could be mounted on trucks, which was used in the defense of cities. The Bolsheviks also understood the influence of aviation on the course of battles. They had to urgently create and staff air defense units already within the Red Army. The 20s and 30s are spent in the development of weapons, training of personnel and determination of strategic directions that need to be protected first. The degree of preparedness and quality of weapons of air defense units was tested by fire and iron in 1941. The first day of the war taught a bitter lesson, but already in September the soldiers showed what they were worth. The Germans' multiple superiority in the skies of Moscow did not give them the opportunity to bomb the capital with impunity. The barrage was so dense and accurate that the Luftwaffe aces were never able to inflict serious damage on the city. The feat of the Soviet anti-aircraft gunners cannot be forgotten. In the first year of the war, in the most difficult conditions of retreat and encirclement, they not only destroyed enemy aircraft, but also tanks. Statistics is a serious science. During the Great Patriotic War, air defense fighters destroyed almost 8 thousand aircraft, more than a thousand tanks and 1.5 thousand artillery pieces. A huge contribution to the Victory was made by women, many of whom fought in anti-aircraft regiments. They shot down Germans over Leningrad, Minsk, Stalingrad, and on the Kursk Bulge. In Stalingrad there is Zenitchikov Street. It immortalized the feat of the military personnel who defended the city. The end of the war did not bring peace to our country - decades of the Cold War began. The advent of aircraft powered by jet engines and the development of the nuclear industry presented designers with the difficult task of creating the latest models of defensive equipment. Our air defense is no less known than our missile weapons. The S-300 air defense system in various modifications still makes our potential adversaries flinch. The modern Triumph complex has already successfully proven itself in Syria. The development of defense equipment continues. According to the plans of the Ministry of Defense, the latest S-500 will be on combat duty in 2-3 years. Modernization of the used radars continues: “Radioluch”, “Sopka”, “Sky”. The official holiday appeared among soldiers and officers of the air defense forces only 30 years after the war. In February 1975, a decree establishing the holiday was signed. It was celebrated annually on April 11. In the modern history of the Russian army, the holiday appeared after the Presidential Decree in 2006. The inextricable connection of history is supported by the date of the holiday - it is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of April. Congratulations to all soldiers, officers and veterans of the air defense forces. Calm watches and peaceful skies!

The Day of the Air Defense Forces of Belarus is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of April. This holiday was sanctioned by the publication of a Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus in 1998, although the celebration of this day has existed since Soviet times. Back in the days when Belarus was part of the USSR, air defense troops began their formation. Thus, back in 1975, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR established the most important government regulations concerning the organization of air defense. If we talk not about a state institution, but about the formation of troops as a whole, then there is debate among historians. But as a general rule, the creation of air defense troops dates back to the fall of 1941. The final registration of this type of troops in the Republic was made in 1998, and at the end of 2001, the executive bodies decided to transform the Armed Forces and form a single branch - the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. Such military formations are of great importance, because they influence the level of defense capability of the entire country. The air defense units of Belarus are armed with modern anti-aircraft missile systems and new generation automated control systems. Thus, the air defense forces of the Republic of Belarus can rightfully be proud of their technical equipment, which keeps pace with the development of the military industry, and can also boast of highly qualified personnel ensuring a peaceful sky above the head of the entire Republic. The Republic actively cooperates with the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. And for more than a decade, Belarus has been on general combat duty together with the forces and means of the Russian Federation. Thus, every year the military formations of the Republic have the opportunity to conduct combat exercises and shooting on Russian territory. On such a significant day, air defense troops are often awarded with insignia or promotion in rank. All military personnel take part in the celebrations, regardless of what rank or rank they hold.

The Olympic motto is "Citius, altius, fortius!" translated as "Faster, higher, stronger!" This call motivates participants in sports competitions to demonstrate the best results. In ordinary life, people also make plans with specific goals - they set themselves a high bar and strive to jump over it. “Achieve More” Day, which is celebrated on April 14, encourages you not to stop at the conquered peaks and give your best in honor of the holiday. Many people take Reach as High as You Can Day literally. The fun celebration includes jumping on a trampoline, taking hot air balloon rides, climbing mountain peaks and attending helicopter piloting workshops. “Achieve More” Day is actively celebrated by people striving for professional heights and achievements in their personal lives. This holiday is ideal for believing in yourself and taking risks: asking your boss for a promotion, proposing marriage, participating in kart racing or shooting at a shooting range. You can achieve more both physically and metaphorically. Often stereotypes and destructive internal attitudes hinder the conquest of peaks: “It’s not like Senka’s hat”, “I’m not worthy of this”, “Know your cricket pole”, etc. Therefore, in order to celebrate Reach as High as You Can Day, it is necessary to carry out a large internal work and overcome yourself first. Winning a chess tournament after numerous losses, proving a theorem that was too difficult for fellow mathematicians, writing a song that became a hit - all these are examples of great achievements. And often they are achieved not thanks to, but despite the prevailing circumstances. Staying in your comfort zone is, of course, more convenient than striving for something new with unpredictable consequences that can radically change your life. Therefore, start on April 14 with small achievements if you are not internally prepared for sharp turns of fate. Someone can try to reach the highest shelf with a book they want to read without using a ladder, someone can stop being afraid of falling and finally roller-skate to the end of the alley. To celebrate Reach as High as You Can Day, you can celebrate any achievement - from a personal record in the gym to the longest meditation in your life. Are you plagued by doubts about the reported powers? Don't despair, even if it doesn't work out. Anyone who tried to overcome himself gained invaluable experience. Therefore, he will never regret asking the question: “What if?..” The “Achieve More” day was invented for big and small tests, testing one’s own strengths and conquering new horizons.

It is human nature to strive to expand horizons in the literal sense, increasing the volume of one’s knowledge, skills and abilities, and in a figurative sense. To do this, it is enough to periodically look around and remember to look up to appreciate the beauty of the universe and the Creator’s plan. This opportunity is available to space agency employees and astronomers year-round. Ordinary people can use it on April 14, celebrating Look at the Sky Day. The history of the funny and somewhat romantic Look up at the Sky Day is unknown, as are the traditions of its celebration. To contemplate the beauty of nature, it is enough to put aside your smartphone and other gadgets and try to expand your horizons of knowledge of the world around you. Some cosmic phenomena are annual, and people observe them with the naked eye. You don't need a telescope or binoculars to see a rainbow or solar halo. Such phenomena include lunar and solar eclipses, but not only them. So, in mid-April, unusual precipitation falls on Earth - the Lyrid meteor shower. The fireballs of the world's oldest fireball shower produce up to 18 meteors per hour. Lyrid does not pose a danger to the inhabitants of the planet - parts of the comet's dust trail burn up in the upper layers of the atmosphere. On April 16-17 every year, you can see another interesting phenomenon known as the Pink Moon. The spectacle of the colored disk of the Earth's satellite got its name due to the flowering of Japanese cherry and phlox in South America at this time of year. Another interesting astronomical phenomenon that can be observed without special devices is the parade of planets. This is the name given to the closest approach along the ecliptic of the celestial bodies of the Solar System, which are lined up in one row. Small and mini-parades of 3-4 planets are an annual phenomenon and accessible to any observer. After the explosion of stars, their radiance reaches the Earth after hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. And then people see the birth of a supernova in the sky, which with its flash eclipses many bodies of the galaxy. Astronomers study this phenomenon using telescopes and wait for years for the light to approach Earth. The supernova, which exploded 1,800 years ago, will be visible in the sky in April in the area of ​​the Northern Cross and Cygnus. The Northern Lights are regularly observed by residents of Chukotka and Karelia, as well as other areas close to the pole. The glow of the upper layers of the atmosphere occurs as a result of the collision of its gases with charged particles of the solar wind. Thousands of colorful lights light up across the sky on a dark night, causing distance and delight with their beauty. The radiance is also found on other planets of our system where there is a magnetosphere: on Jupiter, Venus and Mars. Throughout the year, people have the opportunity to see the halo effect - a glow around the Moon and the Sun. This optical illusion is visible to the naked eye and is somewhat similar to another spectacular phenomenon - a rainbow. The most spectacular is the solar halo. It is caused by the refraction, reflection and scattering of light particles through ice crystals found in thin cirrus clouds. These and other wonderful astronomical and natural phenomena are observed throughout the year. The initiators of the creation of Look up at the Sky Day are convinced that periodically you need to be distracted from everyday problems and everyday routine in order to turn your gaze upward to the beauty of the universe. This is exactly what “Look at the Sky” Day, which is celebrated on April 14, calls us to do.

International Sudden Laughter Day is held annually on April 14th. It is more common in European countries and the USA than in Russia. Comedian performances and other entertainment events take place there on this day. Many of them are free and held in the open air so that everyone can attend, not just those who bought a ticket. Entertainment programs, comedy series and films are broadcast on television. The holiday is intended to remind us how important laughter is in a person’s life. This is an evolutionarily determined way to reduce anxiety and resist stress, an involuntary reaction to tickling or humor, and less often - a consequence of nervous tension. It is expressed in the contraction of facial muscles and parts of the respiratory apparatus, accompanied by characteristic sounds. According to scientists, it was the ability to laugh that helped our distant ancestors survive in difficult conditions. Laughter has the following effect on the human body:• relieves stress, eliminates depressive states provoked by it;• increases self-confidence and inspires optimism, reduces resistance to change;• helps to reduce excess weight;• has a positive effect on creativity;• activates the limbic system of the brain, regulating and coordinating the work of both hemispheres; • increases the ability to solve problems of varying degrees of complexity; • restores respiratory function; • normalizes blood pressure. Laughter benefits not only your health, but also your social life, and it lifts the mood of both the person who laughs and those around you. It has been proven that sharing laughter promotes team unity. People who often joke themselves and laugh at other people's jokes usually do not have problems with communication and have many fans, good acquaintances and friends. Therefore, you should not be afraid to laugh openly - this will attract other people to you. After all, this is one of the ways to communicate. In our culture, we tend to be wary of having fun for no apparent reason. It's time to change this, learn to enjoy the little things. On a day of sudden laughter, try to find reasons for joy and a positive approach to life. A good way to celebrate would be:• watching your favorite comedies (with friends, your significant other, family or even alone);• reading jokes, funny stories;• attending a comedy show or a performance by a popular comedian.

International holidays - N`Ko Alphabet Day

Holidays of Russia - Day of the Medical Service of the Penitentiary System of the Russian Federation

Semargl is a sacred winged dog, a deity belonging to the category of beregins. In the Tale of Bygone Years, Semargl is mentioned as one of the idols included by Prince Vladimir in the pantheon of Slavic gods. A documented fact testifies to the importance of Semargl. Then the riddles begin. Scientific and literary works provide conflicting information about the purpose of this character. Researchers of Slavic mythology express several versions. According to one, Semargl is the patron of fertility, a vital sphere for the Slavs. Protecting seeds and crops requires fearlessness, strength, and speed. Claws, teeth and wings help Semargl successfully cope with this task, endowing him with swiftness, remarkable strength and courage. According to another version, Semargl is not an independent god, but the divine dog of Mokosh, the goddess of fertility. But a more common opinion is that Semargl is the Fire God, belongs to the most ancient powerful deities, and is identified with the fire god Svarozhich (the supreme god of the ancient Slavs). The emergence of people is associated with fire in Slavic mythology. The Fire God ignites the flame of love, promoting procreation, protects the world from evil created by black forces, gives people light, warmth and fire, keeps home and hearth, and acts as a mediator between people and the Heavenly Gods. Semargl - the Fire God brought a shoot of the tree of life to earth and therefore he is able to heal people and animals from various ailments. He inhabits the body and souls of the sick and heals everyone who turns to him for help. A rising temperature is a clear sign that the sacred winged dog is frantically fighting illness. The higher the temperature, the fiercer the battle. You cannot interfere with Fire God and bring down the patient’s temperature. Semargl is the keeper of fire, monitors the observance of fire rituals and sacrifices. He is revered on days when signs and rituals associated with fire are mentioned in the Slavic calendar. On Semargl Day, following ancient customs, the Slavs say goodbye to winter by burning an effigy of Madder, the goddess of death, made from branches in a fire. Then they invite spring, jump over the fire and ask the God of Fire to melt the remaining snow. The ritual ends with chants and round dances around the fires. On April 14, Semargl melts the last snow and revival begins in nature: seeds germinate, plants wake up, people rejoice in spring. The fire of love flares up in Slavic hearts, life goes on. Praise be to Semarglu!

Georgian is the oldest language. Today it is spoken by more than four million people. Georgian was the native language of the people of Iberia, an ancient kingdom that existed on the site of modern Georgia. The Georgian language consists of seventeen dialects. All of them have developed historically. The Kakheti and Kartli dialects formed the basis of the literary Georgian language. There are also three dialects that are preserved today outside the country, and were developed in Azerbaijan (Ingiloi dialect), in Turkey (Imerkhev dialect), in Iran (Fereydan dialect). The literary and written language developed after the adoption of Christianity by the Georgian people (in the 4th century AD). The alphabet was created in the 5th century AD, based on Aramaic and Greek. There are three types of Georgian writing: an ancient script that developed at the same time as the alphabet appeared - mrglovani, a church script - nuskhuri, a civil script - mkhedruli. Georgian writing is included in the UNESCO list of cultural heritage sites. The prerequisites for the creation of Mother Language Day are the events of 1978. Then, being one of the union republics within the USSR, Georgia lost the status of the Georgian language as a state language, in accordance with the adoption of a new Constitution in the Soviet Union (according to which there was only one state language - Russian). However, after negotiations with the Moscow government, the First Secretary of Georgia managed to return the status of the Georgian language. Georgian Language Day has become a public holiday since 1990. Every year it is celebrated on April 14, and has the name - Mother Language Day. The meaning of the holiday, first of all, is to honor Georgian traditions, maintain the literary language, writing, and spread the Georgian language. The events held in the country cover more than just one day. Every year, from April 12 to May 5, a festival is held in Georgia, the purpose of which is to popularize the Georgian language, identify language problems, and emphasize the importance of preserving all types of writing, dialects, and national literary works. The festival is held among young people, schoolchildren and students. In addition, Olympiads, conferences, and seminars are held throughout the country. Cultural events also include concerts, literary and poetry readings.

Indian Holidays - Beginning of Solar New Year (Bohag Bihu)

Modern roads are crowded with traffic. The galloping rhythm of life creates the need for fast movement and transportation. Every fifth Ukrainian uses an individual car. Work machines, production vehicles, construction equipment - all transport requires registration, inspection and regulation of safe movement. To perform these functions, the Ukrainian traffic police service was created. The Cabinet of Ministers of independent Ukraine signed documents on the status of the State Traffic Inspectorate within the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1997. The basic regulations on the service were formalized on April 14. This date is the holiday of Ukrainian traffic inspectors. The structure and equipment of the inspectorate need to be constantly strengthened due to technological progress and social development. This is what happened with the traffic police service, starting in the Soviet 60s. First, uniform traffic rules appeared, then intoxication indicator tubes, stationary posts, speeding radars, patrol cars with radio communications, and helicopters. Road inspection professionals, being on duty witnesses of car accidents and road accidents, rightly focus on examining dangerous sections of highways, statistics, and preventing car accidents. The police, patrolling the streets and regulating traffic, provide a safe living environment for the country's residents. The lack of traffic safety inspectors on the roads leads to an increase in accidents. A decrease in the number of law enforcement officers on the highways results in an increase in the number of dead and wounded. Only personnel with a high level of professional training can use modern information technology to search and track vehicles, to monitor the transportation of unsafe cargo, and to control the quality of road surfaces. Specialists from the traffic police take care of the preservation of our native nature and protect it from the harmful effects of vehicles.

April 14 (April 1, old style) according to the folk calendar, Marya Empty cabbage soup is celebrated. Part of the name is given to the holiday in honor of St. Mary of Egypt, whose memory is mentioned by the Orthodox Church on this day. Maria lived in the 5th-6th century. As a young girl, she left her native land and headed to Alexandria. There she led an obscene lustful life, but one day, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a girl could not get into the temple - an unknown force threw her away from the entrance. Then the sinner realized her fall and vowed before the icon of the Mother of God to return to the righteous path, leaving behind her dissolute days. The saint went into the desert and before her death she prayed to the Lord to forgive her sins. The people called Saint Mary the intercessor of women who returned to the righteous path after repentance. In prayers they asked her for support when it was difficult to survive temptations. On Marya's day, peasant women went to healers and performed rituals against the evil eye and witchcraft. On Marya Pustye Shchi, residents in their cellars were running out of vegetables. The sauerkraut required for cooking cabbage soup was also running low. If in the fall they were cooked so thick that a spoon could stand, then in the spring the cabbage soup looked empty. To survive hunger, peasants added sorrel and nettle to them. That is why the day was called Empty cabbage soup. In the southern regions, residents were busy cultivating their gardens, and in the northern territories there was sometimes snow. But the sun shone brighter and melted him. The resulting reflections on the snow resembled the flickering of lights. The snow seemed to be on fire. This led to another name for the date - Marya Light the Fire or Dissolve the Fire. If there was a flood on the day of Marya, then they prepared for a large haymaking and generous fishing. They also expected a rich harvest, noticing the bright stars in the sky. A cloudy sky foreshadowed good weather, but the roar of livestock meant bad weather. A rainy day promised a dry summer.

Angolan Youth Day

Orthodox holidays on April 14:

Memorial Day of St. Euthymius of Suzdal

Memorial Day of St. Barsanuphius of Optina