Every year on August 2, our state celebrates a wonderful date - Airborne Forces Day, established by the decision of the President of Russia in 2006 as a memorial day designed to help revive domestic military customs, increase the prestige of service and established in recognition of the merits of soldiers in solving difficult problems to ensure the defense of the country. The airborne troops, or as they are often called “blue berets,” are one of the most elite units of the Russian army. Only a select few with strength, courage and bravery become members of this detachment. Every year at the beginning of August, millions of citizens who once wore blue berets and served in the Airborne Forces celebrate their holiday. The history of the holiday began on August 2, 1930 - at that time, exercises were taking place near Voronezh and for the first time a detachment of 12 paratroopers made a parachute jump. This event helped military experts recognize the prospect of superiority of parachute squads and their unlimited capabilities to quickly reach the enemy in the air. The creation of the Airborne Forces, which became the beginning of the large-scale development of this type of troops, started in 1932. By the beginning of the next year, special-purpose aviation units were organized in several military districts. By the summer of 1941, the formation of 5 airborne corps, each of which included 10 thousand people, was completed. Paratroopers were always on the front line in the battles of the Second World War and repeatedly showed their heroism in battles. Since the winter of 1988, domestic paratroopers began to participate in battles in “hot spots” not only in our state, but also abroad. One of the most severe losses in the history of the troops is the death of the sixth company of the 104th regiment of the 76th Pskov Airborne Division in the spring of 2000. On that day, the detachment was able to prevent the breakthrough of 2.5 thousand militants, destroying more than 700 enemies. Vasily Filippovich Margelov managed to make a colossal contribution to the formation and development of the Airborne Forces. This brave general became the commander of the unit at the most difficult time, when the soldiers - members of this detachment did not have suitable weapons, equipment and appropriate assistance. But their goal was considered one of the most difficult. The airborne forces were delivered behind enemy lines, where they started a battle and maintained the defense until the main military detachments arrived. Without decent equipment and high-quality weapons, they acted as ordinary “cannon fodder.” Only when Margelov came to command in the 50s of the last century did the general condition of the troops improve significantly. He implemented many programs that contributed to the development of weapons, equipment and airliners. Traditionally, on this holiday, commemorative and celebratory events are organized in all cities of the country, demonstration performances by paratroopers and paratroopers, displays of military equipment in service with the Airborne Forces, evenings with veterans, charitable events and mass street celebrations.

Elijah's Day falls on August 2 according to the new style. This is a Christian holiday with pagan roots. However, followers of Judaism also have a special day glorifying the prophet Elijah (Elijah). Muslims also reverence the Messenger of Allah, Ilyas. The prophet Elijah, capable of raising the dead, hid on Mount Carmel from his idolatrous pursuers, he constantly prayed and fasted. The peoples who lived at the foot of the mountain immediately recognized his power over the rain. Even in the Old Testament there are references to how, with the help of fervent prayer, he could stop the rain or, conversely, cause it. Thus, this saint was especially revered by peasants, whose welfare depended on the amount of rainfall. The holiday in honor of the mighty elder was first celebrated in Byzantium. In the era of dual faith, the image of the prophet Elijah united with the image of the god Perun. That is why he, who appeared much later, was considered formidable and merciless. Perun was the son of Svarog and the defender of the world; among the pagan Slavs he was considered the lord of the thunderstorm. Perun, and then Elijah the prophet, according to legend, rides across the sky in his chariot, striking his enemies with lightning. The thunder that frightens all living things is the sound of his horses' hooves. Evil spirits, hiding from Elijah’s fiery arrows, turn into different animals, so animals should not be allowed into the house on this day. Among the Russian people, Elijah the Prophet absorbed the features of Ilya Muromets: he also sat motionless for 33 years and possessed the rarest strength. The Slavs begin to prepare for the holiday in advance: the day before they bake special cookies from new flour. The house is cleaned and all shiny surfaces are covered with holiday towels. On this day, people do not drive their livestock out to pasture for fear of lightning. A bowl of grain is left at the gate. It is forbidden to work in the house and in the field for Ilyushechka: he can severely punish you. However, you can work hard in the apiary: church candles are made from wax. It is believed that after Ilyin’s day, summer ends, so swimming in reservoirs is no longer advisable in order to avoid catching a cold. There is also a ban on loud quarrels, otherwise you can get struck by lightning. By this day, haymaking is completed and preparations are made for harvesting. Hunters open the hunting season. If it rains on Elijah’s day, the rainwater is collected and stored, as it is considered healing, capable of curing eye diseases and protecting from the evil eye. The Day of the Prophet Elijah began to be honored as an Orthodox holiday in the 17th century, and a church in his honor was built in Kyiv even before the adoption of Christianity. On this day, it is customary for Orthodox Christians to attend services and pray for a rich harvest and peace in the family. Some bring seeds to church for consecration. Housewives fumigate their homes with incense to protect themselves from lightning strikes for a year. After a hearty meal together, consisting of a freshly slaughtered bull or ram, and new potatoes, people go on festivities with songs, round dances and dances. In some areas fairs or religious processions are organized. On Elijah's Day, you need to please the poor with alms or treats. In modern Russia, the prophet Elijah is considered the patron saint of the Airborne Forces. The image of this fearless prophet, zealously defending the Christian faith, fits perfectly with the defenders of his native land - the paratroopers.

August 2 is the Day of Paratroopers and Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces in the Republic of Belarus. The holiday was established by special Decree No. 397 of President A.G. Lukashenko in 2010. Russian paratroopers also celebrate Airborne Forces Day on August 2, which received its official status in 2006. The history of the “blue beret” holiday common to the two countries is rooted in the distant past . It was on August 2, 1930 that during an exercise, 12 members of the USSR Air Force successfully landed by parachute, completing the assigned tactical task. In 2007, by presidential decree, the airborne troops were renamed the special operations forces of the Armed Forces. A.G. Lukashenko and representatives of the General Staff of the Republic of Belarus consider the MTR as one of the most reliable and important elements of the national security system. The Blue Berets represent the oldest school of military excellence, successfully fulfilling their duty and continuing the glorious traditions of their ancestors. Every year on August 2, various festive events are held in Minsk, Vitebsk and Brest. These include ceremonial formations of paratroopers and representatives of the Special Forces, rallies with the participation of veterans, parachute jumps, and displays of military equipment. Military bands perform in city parks, and meetings are held with veterans of the Great Patriotic War and representatives of reconnaissance airborne companies. The fighters demonstrate their mastery of hand-to-hand combat techniques and show the skill of their “younger friends” - sapper search dogs. The program for the Day of Foreman and SSO includes a visit to interactive zones. On their territory, young guests and their parents ride on armored personnel carriers, ATVs and MBTS "Cayman" - an armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle. Participants in competitions organized by paratroopers are invited to fold a parachute, overcome an obstacle course consisting of a labyrinth, a destroyed bridge and a tale, watch an exhibition of weapons, and treat themselves to soldier’s porridge. The Blue Berets provide an opportunity for everyone to try themselves as a diver. The participants of the holiday dive in special equipment into the pool in order to find and lift objects from the bottom. The Day of Paratroopers and Special Forces is not only a holiday of strength and courage, but also of love, care and kindness. During the events, fighters give flowers to women, sweets to children, and visit orphanages with gifts. "Blue Berets" demonstrate loyalty to the traditions of their grandfathers and fathers, proving that they serve with honor and fulfill their military duty.

The Day of Perun (Perunitsa) among the pagan Slavs fell on August 2 according to the new style. After the adoption of Christianity, some features of this deity passed on to the prophet Elijah and the Great Martyr George the Victorious. That is why on August 2 not only Perunitsa is celebrated, but also Ilya’s Day, which appeared much later. It is believed that from this day on, summer is on the wane and farmers are already beginning to prepare for autumn work. Perun is the god of thunder and lightning, the lord of rain, who is the head of the pantheon of Slavic gods, the son of the mighty Svarog and the goddess of love Lada. He patronized the prince and his brave squad. He had many hypostases: he was responsible for calm and harmony in Reveal (the world of the living), endowed men with strength, and helped farmers. His symbols are the oak, the ax and the hammer. This deity was depicted with a head made of silver and a mustache covered with gold. According to pagan beliefs, Perun walked the earth in the form of the bull Tour. In his duties, he is similar to the Greek god Zeus and the Roman god Mars. Sacrifices to Perun were made at special temples in the shape of an iris flower or near a mighty sacrificial oak tree. Initially, human sacrifices were made, later - red roosters or bulls. For a worthy celebration of Perun's day, it was necessary to prepare well: women sewed festive robes for the whole family, and men chose the weapons with which they would appear at the temple. A few days before Perunitsa, a victim and demands for Perun were chosen by drawing lots. At a specially equipped place, with the help of the blood of the victim, the priest consecrated all the weapons brought. With it, he drew special signs on the forehead of each man to maintain strength, spirit and will, and all those anointed put red bandages on their heads. Here the young men underwent the rite of initiation into warriors, overcoming four tests. Women were not allowed to participate in this part of the celebration, called the beginning. After the sacrifice, the men and priests left the temple, and the festivities continued in oak groves, preferably closer to the water. At first, the Slavs produced flames naturally and lit a large fire. Women prepared a meal to commemorate the deceased warriors, which necessarily included beer, beef and cottage cheese. Young people doused themselves with river water, competed in prowess, thundered, imitating the Thunderer, and staged fights between Perun and Veles. If there was a drought, they chose a girl and doused her with water to make it rain. On Perunov's day there was a ban on work in the field and at home. Cats were not allowed into the house, as various evil spirits under their guise could enter the home. Even the cattle were not allowed to leave the yard. The Slavs believed that if all these prohibitions were violated, Perun would punish them with a lightning strike. It was only possible to work in the apiary. On this day they were not afraid to get caught in the rain: rainwater washed away everything bad. However, they tried to wait out the thunderstorm itself in a safe place in order to avoid being struck by lightning. If the weather was dry, then in the morning the Slavs, standing with their bare feet on the ground, would shower themselves. From that day on, it was forbidden to swim in rivers. In modern Russia, this pagan holiday of warriors and farmers is reflected in the honoring of paratroopers - brave defenders of the Motherland - on August 2.

Funny Holidays - Day of Sitting on Window Sills

Russian Holidays - Evenki Nature Day

Azerbaijan Holidays - National Cinema Day

Holidays of Costa Rica - Day of the Angelic Virgin

Jewish holidays - Day of Love - Tu b'Av (Fifteenth of Av, Tu b`Av)

Holidays in Thailand - Khao Pansa - the beginning of Buddhist fasting (Wan Khao Pansa, Buddhist Lent Day, Beginning of Vassa)

Before the invention of the Internet, people exchanged messages by sending them by mail. Letters and postcards were placed in special containers made of wood, metal and cast iron. From the 16th century At the Cape of Good Hope there was a shoe-shaped box. Sailors sailing from Europe to India left their letters in it, and travelers moving in the opposite direction took them.

According to the folk calendar, Elijah’s Day is celebrated on August 2 (July 20, old style). This holiday received its name from the church calendar - the day of honoring the memory of the holy prophet Elijah, who lived 9 centuries before the appearance of Jesus Christ on earth. Elijah lived on the territory of modern Jordan during the period of paganism, but he himself was an active fighter against idolatry and glorified the Lord. It was he who predicted to the local king Ahab about the upcoming three-year famine in the country. When the famine began, the prophet lived in a desert area, eating food brought by a raven. Afterwards, he proved to the pagans the existence of One God - through prayer, he asked the Lord to light the altar made of wood for him. According to the Holy Scriptures, Elijah was taken to heaven by the Almighty on a chariot of fire. In addition, on this day the ancient Slavs honored the memory of the god of thunder and lightning - Perun. That is why another name for the holiday appeared among the people - Ilya the Thunderer. Thunderclaps were often observed on this day, believing that Ilya himself sent them, destroying the unclean serpent. The people believed that when Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot, a horseshoe flew off one of his horses and fell into a pond. Then, because of her, all the waters on earth cooled down. Therefore, from that day on, residents stopped swimming in rivers and lakes. It was also believed that autumn was coming to the earth during this period. And it is no coincidence, because in August the daylight hours became shorter and the reservoirs managed to cool down during the night. On Elijah's day, residents prayed to Saint Elijah for a good harvest in their gardens and fields. If there was a drought for a long time, the peasants organized special rituals to attract showers. If there was too much moisture and the fields needed drying, then the ceremony was performed in clear weather. This day was considered a day off; residents postponed work in order to avoid Ilya’s wrath. There was a tradition for Ilya to bake bread and pies from the first grinding. They were carried to the church for the lighting, and then treated to relatives, friends and neighbors. Such pies were often shared with beggars and wanderers. They said that on Elijah’s Day, evil spirits move into the forest animals, so caring owners carefully looked after their livestock and did not let them out into the forest to graze, so that wild animals would not tear them to pieces. It was forbidden to allow cats or dogs into the home at night, in the belief that they could cause lightning to strike the roof. If rain was noticed on Ilya the Thunderer, they believed that the fires would bypass the settlement. Getting wet in the rain promised excellent health for the resident. The noise in the beehives foreshadowed clear days. Gusty winds were observed in calm weather.

Orthodox holidays on August 2:

Memorial Day of St. Abraham of Galich

Day of Remembrance of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign"

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God of Orsha