On April 21, from 2013 onwards, the Russian Federation celebrates Local Government Day. The presidential decree on the holiday was signed in 2012. This holiday was introduced to strengthen the role of the institution of local self-government and the development of democracy in the country. Festive events are held on this day. The date of the holiday itself has a historical basis. In 1785, Empress Catherine II, on the same date, issued a “Charter of Complaint” for cities. Literally, this document was called as follows: “Certificate of the rights and benefits of Mr. Russian Empire.” It included: Manifesto, about twenty sections and over 150 articles. This document gave all city residents the same class status, regardless of income. The document envisaged the development of cities and the enhancement of the institution of local self-government. Subsequently, Alexander II carried out city and zemstvo reforms. This led to the emergence of city councils and councils starting in the 1870s. After the October Revolution, the idea of ​​self-government was crossed out until the end of the 1980s. Since 1993, a renewed stage in the development of city self-government began; the reform and development of this branch of government continues to this day. This political institution has its own functions: approves the local budget, compiles expenses, income and reports in the local treasury of the city, adopts and develops rules by which municipal formation is conducted locally, as well as adopts and develops programs for its development, sets taxes and fees, controls over their management and over the activities of officials who are members of local government bodies. Thanks to this institution of self-government, the appearance of Russian cities and villages has changed qualitatively. The situation in cities and regions directly depends on the level of work of local governments. The standard of living and work of citizens of these regions, territories and cities depends on self-government bodies. The holiday is not a day off, but it is solemnly celebrated throughout the Russian Federation.

Few specialists can boast of the existence of a periodical with the same name as their profession. But chief accountants are not one of them. The Glavbukh magazine, the first issue of which was published on April 21, 1994, is the flagship in covering taxation and accounting. The publication enjoys authority among economists, is an assistant in the routine work of accountants, and the solemn date of Chief Accountant Day in Russia was chosen in its honor. The organizers of the holiday call for gratitude for the hard work of the chief accountants. After all, the type of activity of these specialists is really not simple. There are sociological data according to which the profession of accountants in general and chief accountants in particular is placed on a par with pilots, law enforcement officers and firefighters in terms of danger. Although economists do not have to contend with the elements, open criminal behavior, or withstand great physical exertion, their field of work and big money attracts adventurers, swindlers and robbers. And it is accountants, sadly enough, who are most often accused without reason of forgery, theft and participation in fraudulent schemes. With all this, the bulk of the chief accountants are ladies. According to statistics, over 80% of chief accountants are women. They accept all the dangers of the profession, are collected, methodical, responsible, attentive, organized and precise. It is for these qualities that workers in such a difficult field should be thanked on Chief Accountant Day. Among the famous people who became famous in other fields of activity, there are those who began working as accountants and clerks. The name of Karl Marx in this regard is not surprising; he was a famous economist. But Herbert Wells, O. Henry and Mikhail Zoshchenko are not perceived as anything other than accomplished writers. However, their biography contains episodes of making a living in the field of accounting. The profession is ancient. The need to take into account the movement of material assets, be it a coin, a head of livestock or a bag of grain, arose along with natural exchange. The amount of resources was recorded according to time - on clay tablets, birch bark, paper. With the development of civilizations, the science of accounting also developed. The most significant contribution to the development of accounting is considered to be the contribution of Venetian merchants, who introduced the rule of double entry in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. This method turned out to be so successful that it is still used today, having undergone significant improvements, but remaining fundamentally the same. The well-known mathematician Luca Pacioli streamlined the double accounting system, structured it and thereby facilitated the work of economists of his time. It's a rare accountant who doesn't know this name. There are not many who have not heard the song of the group “Combination”, which tells about an accountant as a simple bookkeeper and not a prestigious employee. The days in which this respected profession was emasculated are over. Now the chief accountant is a valuable employee, the right hand of the general director, the owner of confidential information and a decently paid specialist.

April 21 is celebrated as International Gingerbread Day. This holiday, which falls into the fun category, will certainly delight those with a sweet tooth. Gingerbread is a flour confectionery product made from a special dough. It is usually mixed with honey, although today regular sugar syrup is increasingly used. Eggs, various spices and seasonings, chopped nuts, chopped candied fruits, dried fruits or liquid fillers are often added to the dough. There are two ways to prepare gingerbread - the more ancient custard and raw. This dessert is very popular in many countries and gingerbread has a very rich history. Today gingerbread is considered a traditional Russian dessert, although in fact the first mentions of similar pastries are found in Egyptian and Roman writings. The Romans called them "panus mellitus". These were cakes with honey, the dough for which was also mixed with honey. The ancient Egyptians baked honey bread, which can also be considered the first gingerbread. Many centuries later, the Germans began to make “lebkuchen” - today this is the name for special gingerbread cookies that are baked especially for Christmas. In general, many Europeans associate this dessert with holidays. In the UK, curly gingerbread cookies in the shape of men, hearts, stars, Christmas trees, and houses are baked for Christmas. In Belgium they bake very soft and airy desserts that are more like cupcakes. In a number of European countries, and later in the United States, gingerbread houses and men are considered symbols of Christmas. They are generously decorated with powders, drawings and patterns are applied with fondant or glaze. The gingerbread house featured in the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. The gingerbread man also became the hero of an English fairy tale called “Gingerbread Man”. Its plot completely copies the story of Kolobok's adventures with a tragic ending. Previously, each Russian province had its own special recipes for preparing this delicacy. One of the most famous gingerbreads in Russia is Tula. Gingerbread boards were previously used to make this dessert. Ready-made gingerbread cookies were called printed ones, but in addition to them, there were also cut-out and molded desserts. To make printed gingerbread cookies, it was necessary to stock up on special boards in advance, the thickness of which was about 5 cm. Craftsmen carved them from hard wood. The wood commonly used was pear, alder, maple, and birch. The workpieces had to be thoroughly dried in natural conditions, but not under the sun. The drying process could take from 5 to 20 years, but the time investment was justified because the finished board could be used for up to 70 years. Periodically it had to be boiled in oil to completely remove any remaining dough. When the workpiece dried and was considered suitable for further processing, it fell into the hands of carvers, who applied patterns and drawings in a mirror image to its surface. In Russia, gingerbread making became a real folk craft by the middle of the 17th century. Its heyday occurred at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. Perhaps the most original gingerbread was made for the coronation of Nicholas II. The dessert was decorated with the profile of the monarch, recreated by craftsmen with incredible accuracy. The form specially prepared for it was used only once. Tula rightfully received the unofficial status of the “capital of gingerbread”. Anyone who comes to this city is sure to take with them a gift - a recognizable dessert covered with fondant. In addition to Tula, the gingerbread business flourished in Vyazma, Tver, Vologda, Arkhangelsk, and Gorodets. Secret recipes were passed down in families from generation to generation. One of the most famous “gingerbread” dynasties was the Tula Grechikhina people. Vasily Romanovich Grechikhin in 1887 took part in an exhibition that was held in France. For his two-pound (more than 30 kg) gingerbread, he was awarded a gold medal. At home in Russia, Grechikhin was given the title of honorary resident of Tula.

Science Day in the USSR had a “floating” date - the holiday was celebrated every third Sunday in April. Such a tradition did not arise by chance. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin drew up his “Sketch of a plan for scientific and technical work” between April 18 and April 25, 1918. With this document, in essence, the era of the heyday of Soviet science began - one of the branches of the national economy, in which at least 1 million Soviet citizens were employed. Science in the Soviet Union was one of the most advanced in the world, especially in the field of natural sciences. The successes of specialists in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics have brought the country to a new stage of development. The USSR from a semi-feudal country turned into an advanced industrial state that could compete with world leaders. At the very beginning, when the Bolsheviks first came to power, there were only 300 scientific organizations in the country. It cannot be said that before the overthrow of the tsarist regime there were no people in the country who possessed certain knowledge and made progress in one or another scientific field. Of course there were, but education was considered a privilege. More than 80% of the population was illiterate. The Bolsheviks had to literally start everything from scratch. To begin with, they conducted a mass educational program - a process of eliminating illiteracy, during which people were taught to read and write. At that time, the Bolsheviks simply did not have the personnel to create a powerful scientific complex. By the mid-20s of the last century, almost 70 more scientific organizations had been added to those 300. This was the first success. The new state, which had powerful potential, picked up a good pace and relied on the development of national science. By the 70s, there were already 856 universities in the USSR alone, without taking into account various scientific committees, academies and commissions. The number of engineering personnel has increased sharply. In just thirteen years from 1928 to 1941. their number increased from 61,000 to 290,000. Soviet science simultaneously developed in different directions, specialists achieved long-term priority in many areas. Our design engineers worked on the development and implementation of innovative technologies in the field of rocketry. Thanks to the works of Korolev, Yangel, Glushko, Chelomey, the USSR had the most powerful space program. The military-industrial complex was actively developing, the foundation of which was scientific achievements. The state invested huge amounts of money in it, since at that time the Cold War was already in full swing and the arms race was in full swing. The work of Vavilov, Ginzburg, Landau, Tamm, Ioffe, Frank, Kapitsa, Sakharov, Kurchatov led to several Nobel Prizes, the creation of a hydrogen bomb and a number of discoveries in the field of applied optics, quantum theory, and low-temperature physics. Pavlov's experiments ended with the creation of a new branch of science - the discipline of higher nervous activity. Thanks to advances in the field of medicine, by the 60s the USSR managed to almost completely eliminate its gap in life expectancy from Western countries. Back in the 40s, the active development of cybernetics began in the country. Natural science disciplines were a priority, but the humanities did not suffer from a lack of attention. Soviet science developed harmoniously. The number of historians, philologists and linguists, sociologists, philosophers, literary scholars, and translators grew rapidly in the country. According to many modern researchers, the secret of success included several factors. It was prestigious to do science. A learned person, like a working person, received a high status in society. Scientists had good financial support. The USSR had enough higher educational institutions where future scientists could receive an excellent education. Every year the USSR produced tens of thousands of competent specialists. And another extremely important factor was the principle of openness within scientific teams, which is especially noticeable when compared with the work algorithms of similar organizations in the West. The specialists worked for a common result; they freely exchanged opinions and ideas, which allowed them to avoid subjective mistakes.

Since 2018, following the adoption of a UN resolution, April 21 is celebrated as World Creativity and Innovation Day. Events are organized by UNESCO, WTO, WIPO, UNIDO and other organizations on this date. Before the holiday was declared universal, about 50 countries around the world had celebrated the Day of Creativity and Innovation since 2002. A creative approach to mastering reality in many areas of human activity inevitably leads to inventions and discoveries. Flexibility of thinking, originality and a non-standard approach to solving problems contribute to the development of sectors of the economy:• design;• advertising industry;• music;• architecture;• media;• IT technologies;• interactive entertainment programs;• television;• software development, etc. . This is interesting: Under the auspices of UNESCO, the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004. The activities of their residents are aimed at developing creativity and the cultural industry. The Creative Cities Circle includes more than 180 locations from 72 countries. Members of the international network demonstrate their potential in cinematography, gastronomy, design, folk and decorative arts, music, literature and media arts. The capitalization of creative industries in the world is 3.6 trillion. dollars. Innovative activities in the field of science and technology help to improve the standard of living of people on Earth, and in the economic sphere - to solve problems with hunger and poverty. Scientific discoveries and modern technologies not only create new markets, but also create jobs. Today, more than 29.5 million people work in the IT field and other sectors of the economy. This is interesting: The term “creative economy” began to be used at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries. At the center of this sector are ideas as a consequence of human intellectual activity. Less tied to material resources than the traditional economy, the creative economy has both commercial and cultural value. The result of a creative approach to solving complex problems that had analogues in the past leads to discoveries in various fields of human activity. “There is hardly the highest of pleasures than the pleasure of creating,” said N.V. Gogol. A person who is bursting with ideas and comprehends life through intellectual activity fulfills his natural destiny. A creative approach to life allows you to enjoy it to the fullest and share the fruits of your discoveries with other people. Innovation is needed to develop the economic potential of each state. World Creativity and Innovation Day calls attention to the importance of developing a person’s creativity and creating opportunities for the realization of his talents.

On April 21, 2014, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the reorganization of two services took place. The Presidential Security Service has become one with the Republican Guard. This is how the State Security Service was born, and less than a month later it was decided at the state level to declare April 21 as State Security Day. Since then, a festive concert dedicated to this day is held annually in the capital of Kazakhstan. For the president, presence at this concert has already become a tradition. The state security of the Republic of Kazakhstan is an elite force. To get there you need to be not just the best, but the best of the best. Here are some requirements for applicants:• no criminal record, including relatives;• above average height (180-190 cm);• no excess weight;• good physical fitness;• resistance to stress. Unlike other branches of the military, the State Security Service has the only commander to whom it reports, the president. It is the protection and security of the first person of the state during important events that is the responsibility of the military personnel of this unit. In addition, they are entrusted with an important mission - protecting the symbols of presidential power, which, in addition to the inauguration, the head of state wears at all important events of national importance. The State Security Service takes part in military parades, in ceremonial meetings of the heads of other countries at the plane's ramp and meets foreign guests at the Akorda presidential residence. The State Security Service also includes a brass band, which is present at meetings of foreign delegations, performing the anthems of their countries. And on April 21, especially for their professional holiday, brass band musicians demonstrate their skills at a festive concert dedicated to the Day of the State Security Service.

Fun Holidays - World Curlew Day

Russian Holidays - Day of the Creation of the Far East Naval Forces

Brazil Holidays - Tiradentes Day

On April 21 (according to the old calendar style - April 8), people celebrate Rodion with Ice. The date owes its name to Saint Herodion of Patras, a Christian martyr, whose memory is honored by the Orthodox Church on this day. Herodion was one of the 70 apostles and was related to the Apostle Paul. As one of the first spreaders of Christianity in the Balkans, he was appointed to the post of bishop in Patara. Herodion managed to convert many residents to Christianity. However, the pagans of the city ambushed the bishop and subjected him to beating. Years later, opponents of Christianity executed Herodion by beheading. And among the people, Rodion was nicknamed Icebreaker, since on that day the ice floes on the reservoirs were breaking. Using them, residents determined the future grain yield: if the ice floes were found piled on top of each other, the grain harvest was expected to be rich. The date was also called Rodion - turn out the shafts. Shafts were two long sticks that served as a transitional attachment between a horse and a sleigh or cart. The reason for this name of the day was the rearrangement of the shafts from the sleigh to the cart. And in the southern regions the snow had long since melted and peasants began to cultivate the land. They dug up vegetable gardens, harnessed horses or oxen to the plow, and plowed the soil in the fields. The poor, who did not have draft animals, harnessed themselves to the plow. Then oats and barley were sown. They carried out cultivation even in rainy weather, when there was a soggy mess of earth underfoot, since there was little time for sowing. The planting period was determined not only by warm days. The peasants watched the frogs - their croaking heralded the beginning of sowing. They also observed mole holes: if holes appeared above the ground, then grain could be sown. The sowing period lasted from the beginning to the end of the flowering of apple trees. Residents believed that the meeting of the moon and the sun took place on Rodion Icebreaker. It was believed that they dispersed for the whole winter from the beginning of the frosts, and on Rodionov day they converged again and exchanged news. If the weather on a given day was sunny and warm, it means that the sun and the moon were having a friendly conversation, but rain, cold and wind meant they were arguing. On Rodion Icebreaker, residents paid respect to the river. In the morning they came to the pond and washed themselves with its water, believing that it would give them health. And girls who had parted with their lover, or widows, performed a ritual with water to drive away melancholy. They took water with their left palm, splashed it on their faces and read a special spell. Signs on Rodion Icebreaker served residents instead of weather forecasts. A sunny day foreshadowed early summer, and a rainy day, on the contrary, late summer. A windless and warm evening promised a dry summer. If the red moon rose on Rodion in the evening, then the next day it would rain.

Baha'i Holidays - First day of the Ridwan festival

Mahavir Jayanti in India

Annual London Marathon (Virgin London Marathon)

Orthodox holidays on April 21:

Memorial Day of the Holy Apostle Hermas of Dalmatia from the age of 70

The Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Remembrance of St. Rodion of Patras on April 21, according to the new style. The monk stood at the very beginnings of Christianity and is one of the 70 first apostles inspired by the Lord to spread the good news among the pagan world. Saint Herodion accompanied his relative the Apostle Paul on his missionary travels. When Christianity spread on the Balkan Peninsula, Herodion, on behalf of Saints Peter and Paul, became the head of the church in the city of Patara. The Apostle showed himself to be a zealous preacher of the Word of God among the pagans and Jews. Many, after communicating with the Bishop of Patras, converted to the faith of Christ, but among the idolaters there were also those who fiercely hated Herodion. Having agreed in advance, the attackers attacked the apostle, armed with stones and sticks. After being brutally beaten and stabbed, the monk fell as if dead. But as soon as the villains disappeared, the Lord restored Rodion’s vitality. Leaving Patara, the apostle followed Saint Peter, and preached with him for many years. When missionaries began to spread Christianity in Rome, they fell out of favor with the cruel Emperor Nero. The apostles were taken into custody and sentenced to execution on the same day. Peter was crucified on an inverted cross with his head down, and Herodion's head was beheaded with a sword. In folk tradition, April 21 was called “Rodion-Icebreaker”, “Icebreaker”, “Roaring Waters”. The ice that had bound the rivers all winter began to actively melt and crack, and the water noisily burst out from under the ice captivity. St. Rodion's Day was considered unusual, because in the sky one could simultaneously see the day and night luminaries together. It was believed that the meeting of the Sun and the moon could be not only good, but also bad - leading to litter. Clear weather indicated a peaceful meeting; a cloudy and gloomy day indicated worse. By the mood on April 21, one could judge the coming summer, which was supposed to exactly repeat the overall picture. There were other weather signs: - river ice, gathering in piles, promised a rich harvest of grain, which, when harvested, will be collected in similar high piles; - if a lump of earth crumbles easily, then it’s time to start arable work; - moss on the plowed land predicted a fibrous flax harvest; - the cries of frogs and the appearance of moles from holes indicate the best time for sowing oats. On Rodionov's Day, widows and abandoned girls could easily let go of longing for a loved one; all they had to do was come to the river and read a special spell. Even the dreams of that day had miraculous powers; they promised to come true in a month.

Feast of the Spanish Icon of the Mother of God “Virgin on the Throne”

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “St. George”