The most unusual and sweet holiday, Raspberry Jam Day, is celebrated annually on August 16th. The tradition of making jam from healthy and tasty berries at the end of summer appeared quite a long time ago, but the date of celebration in honor of this dessert was determined only a few years ago. It turns out that “Raspberry Jam Day” began to be celebrated on August 16 only in 2015 on the initiative of the online culinary community. This date was not chosen by chance. It was decided to coincide with the ancient holiday of Malinnik, which was associated with the ripening of berries and harvesting. Jam made from aromatic and tasty fruits is considered the most popular dessert made from raspberries. His recipe appeared many years ago. The first mentions of its cultivation are found in sources from Ancient Greece. Unusual bushes with red and very sweet berries were grown on the island of Crete. The ancient Romans saw this plant on Mount Ida in the 3rd century. That is why the name of raspberry in Latin is “rubus idaeus”. It is known that fragrant raspberry fruits appeared in Rus' thanks to Yuri Dolgoruky. It was she who brought this plant to the country and planted raspberry bushes in her garden. People really liked the sweet berries and they began to be grown in almost every family. Fruit-bearing bushes are unpretentious and do not require special growing conditions. Celebrations in most cases are very fun and exciting. Raspberry Jam Day is a good reason to gather all your relatives and friends around a large table and enjoy the unique taste of raspberry jam. Housewives can surprise guests with delicious pastries with raspberry filling. On this day, cafes and other catering establishments organize tastings of jam prepared according to different recipes. New desserts made with raspberry jam appear on the menu. In many Russian cities, fairs open on August 16, and fascinating master classes are held on preparing aromatic desserts from berries. In the Ryazan region they even organize a raspberry festival, where they demonstrate ripe berries of different varieties and also prepare jam from them. A special festive program is prepared for those present, with performances by dance groups and singers. The benefits of this sweet and aromatic dessert can hardly be overestimated. The berries contain vitamins E, A, PP, B2, iron, copper and other microelements, fiber, and carbohydrates. Glucose and fructose are present in them in large quantities. The seeds of the berries consist of 22% fatty oil, so they are very often used to make cosmetics. Raspberry jam is considered the best remedy for colds. It has a diaphoretic effect, which can reduce body temperature. Also, a delicious dessert improves immunity and has antimicrobial activity.

On August 16, all fans of Batman comics celebrate Joker Day, one of the most charismatic and mysterious supervillains in the DC Comics universe. This character first appeared on the pages of publications in 1940. He was destined for a sad fate - to play a small role in the plot and disappear, but the Joker turned out to be a tough nut to crack. Today he is rightfully considered one of the most popular villains, with thousands of fans. The Joker's name itself is a reference to a special card that is included in the standard French deck. According to one of the most common versions, it was borrowed from the Tarot, where the Fool usually symbolizes forgiveness. In games, it can act as a wild card of variable value. In a regular card deck there are two Jokers - a colored one, which symbolizes day, and a colorless one, which represents night. The image of the Joker could well have been borrowed from the images on the cards, but the creators were inspired not only by him. In 1928, Victor Hugo's famous novel "The Man Who Laughs" was filmed. In the black and white film, the main role of the crippled Gwynplaine was played by an American actor of German origin, Conrad Veidt. The novel is about a man who was kidnapped and mutilated as a child. He spent most of his life in poverty, but later found his family, rose to the very top and was completely trampled. Since only silent films were produced at that time, all the attention of the audience was focused on the facial expressions of the actors. To create that creepy smile for Veidt's character, special prosthetics were used. The actor put them on his teeth and the devices used small hooks to lift the corners of his lips up. According to the official version, it was Veidt's on-screen image that became the main source of inspiration for author Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, who created the Joker. Initially, the Joker appeared before readers as a real maniac who even created his own poison. People poisoned by this compound died in fits of wild laughter. His victims were easily recognized by the characteristic grins on their faces. In the first comics with the Joker, the authors wanted to realize their idea and kill the character with the hands of the Dark Knight, but that was not the case. The editor demanded that this character be added further, so a fist fight with Batman, which was supposed to end with the death of the Gotham jester, ended quite unexpectedly. The Joker turned out to be a strong opponent in hand-to-hand combat and managed to defeat the hero. The character escaped his death, although the authors' fears were not unfounded - many cartoonish villains who return regularly quickly become boring to readers. The Joker not only didn't get boring, but also showed everyone that Batman can also have weaknesses. The main character turned out to be not so omnipotent, and this already humanized him a little and made him closer to the reader. Fans were not tired of the Joker himself. The aura of mystery that shrouded this character did not dissipate even after he, by the will of the authors, turned from an intriguer and maniac into a hooligan and prankster. Although the Joker is already 80 years old, this character still remains one of the most mysterious. The authors never lifted the veil of secrecy over his past. Of course, fans never stop creating their own theories, and the hero himself never tires of telling stories, but each time they are different. Because of this, there is no faith in the Joker’s words, although there is one version of the origin of the hero’s unusual appearance, which is considered the most plausible. According to this story, the Joker was previously a member of a gang where he had the nickname Red Hood. By an unfortunate accident, he fell into a container of harsh chemicals that whitened his skin, turned his hair green and stretched his face into a wide smile due to damage to the facial nerves. After the Joker saw himself in the mirror, but went crazy. It is likely that the hero himself does not remember his past.

“Eternal love... We were faithful to it,” sang Charles Aznavour in the now cult film “Tehran-43.” Sincere and strong feelings cannot be confused with a fleeting infatuation that goes away as quickly as it came. Many people claim that they have met true love only once in their lives. Memories of this important event are forever preserved in my heart. A holiday was established in honor of mutual attraction, strong affection and loyalty to ideals. On August 16, True Love Is Forever Day is celebrated around the world. Philosophically minded romantics celebrated True Love Forever Day for the first time in 2019. Although long before this event, poems were composed, songs were written, and operas were staged about eternal love. Writers, poets and musicians have been talking about the power of true feeling for centuries. The passion and devotion to each other of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the loyalty of Conchita and Count Ryazanov, sung in the rock opera "Juno and Avos", the love of Pierre Bezukhov for Natasha Rostova... All these are examples of love that lives forever despite distances and years separation and even death. Scientists view the feeling that attracts people to each other like a magnet as a biologically based chemical process that lasts from 8 months to 3 years. Science says that hormonal surges, the production of pheromones and serotonin, which cause activity in parts of the brain, increased heart rate and other body reactions, weaken over time. Romantics and creative people who know firsthand true love, which lasts for decades, do not agree with this interpretation. This topic is as old as time. Because of strong love, battles are fought, feats and crazy actions are performed. Orpheus descended into the kingdom of the dead to return Eurydice, Paris stole the beautiful Helen from her husband, thereby unleashing the Trojan War. No vicissitudes of fate can force a person to give up real feelings. “The Bliss of Eternal Love” is sung by Aida in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, addressing the deceased Pharaoh Radames. The intense infatuation and passion that Pyotr Tchaikovsky experienced for Désirée Artaud inspired him to write “Romance in F Minor.” Despite life's hardships and separation, the composer's feelings for the opera singer did not fade for a long time. The hero of Frank Sinatra's song "Some other time" asks his beloved: "Take an oath. True love is forever. Not another time, But now." There is some idealism in this request, a craving for perfection and feelings that have no boundaries and know no end like the Universe. Eternal love is not a myth or a fairy tale. It is given to a person as a reward for fighting for his happiness, but it can also become a punishment if he foolishly lets it go. “True Love Forever” Day encourages us to look into the depths of our own souls and reflect on the eternal.

Elvis Presley is a legendary personality that almost every person living on the planet knows about. This is an icon of foreign (American) rock and roll. This man became popular not only because of his music, but also as an extraordinary artist and karateka. Every year, for more than 40 years, the most “ardent” fans celebrate August 16 as Elvis Presley Day. The city of Memphis became the epicenter of the annual celebration of this memorable event. Thousands of admirers and admirers of this legendary musician flock here. After all, the memory of him remains in the hearts of millions, and maybe even billions of people. In fact, this is not even one holiday, but a whole week, during which many grandiose (large-scale) events are carried out. Elvis's songs are heard everywhere, especially from the legendary Graceland estate, which is open to every fan and admirer of the American Idol talent. The enchanting concerts are filled with memorable Elvis songs, and they are performed by a huge number of doubles who flock here from all over the USA. Also, in honor of the legendary and famous musician, a large-scale karate tournament is held, where famous masters of this type of martial arts take part. A huge number of famous athletes (active and not) are invited here, who happily respond to the call to honor the memory of the “great man”. And that’s exactly what Elvis Presley was. The singer performed many amazing hits during his career, which stayed on top of the top radio stations for months. Elvis starred in about 30 feature films, where he gained particular popularity among representatives of the weaker half of humanity. On this day, everyone who truly loves the singer’s talent comes to Graceland (that’s where the celebrity’s grave is located). Every year a memorial concert is held here in honor of Elvis, where Elvis’s daughter and wife, as well as his devoted musicians from the group, directly participate. So many admirers of Presley’s talent gather in one place that it’s impossible to even imagine. Those people who could not attend this grandiose celebration for some reason try to honor the memory of the musicians in their own way: they organize small memorial concerts, parties, or simply sing his famous songs in the streets.

Fun Holidays - International Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day

Funny holidays - DIY Miracle Day

US Holidays - National Airborne Day

On August 16th in the folk calendar there is a holiday called Anton Vikhrovey. According to the church calendar, on this day the memory of Anthony the Roman, who lived in the 11th-12th centuries, is honored. Anthony came from a wealthy Roman family that preached Christianity. Left without parents, he distributed one half of his inheritance to the suffering, and threw the other half into the depths of the sea, having previously hidden it in a barrel. Then Anthony took monastic vows and devoted himself to serving God, living in a monastery for several decades. According to legend, after the persecution of Christians began, Anthony left the desert monastery and settled on the sea coast. He lived there for a year. One day, Anthony, as usual, came to the seashore and plunged into prayer. A suddenly broken piece of rock miraculously transported him to Novgorod. There Anthony remained to live. At first he communicated with local residents with the participation of a translator, then God heeded his prayers and gave him the ability to speak Russian. One day, fishermen caught a barrel in the sea containing Anthony’s remaining inheritance. With these funds, the man built a monastery in honor of the Mother of God and became abbot there. Anthony served in his monastery for 16 years. Feeling his imminent death, he handed over the affairs to the monk Andrei, who later wrote his life. At the end of the 16th century. Anthony was canonized and his relics were transferred to the cathedral. When naming this holiday, the Slavs used the definition “Whirlwind”, since on this day the wind with swirls often rose. Sometimes Anton was called Malinnik, because by this time the latest varieties of raspberries ripen. In addition to raspberries, nuts were also collected on Vikhrovey, which is why August 16 is sometimes called the Hazel Tree. The harvest of nuts and berries collected on Vikhrovey was considered the most delicious and healthy. There was a belief that on Vikhrovei it was forbidden to clean the house, especially to sweep dirty linen from the hut. Violation of this prohibition promised financial difficulties in the family. On this day, knowledgeable people went to the crossroads and waited for the whirlwind. When he appeared, a knife was thrown into the center of the vortex. At the same time, you had to hold the head of a rooster in one hand. If all these conditions were met, it was possible to find out what kind of winter it would be - cold or mild. Also, the future weather was predicted by some natural features:• If the chickens began to shed their feathers, it means that cold weather will soon come.• An icy wind on Anton Vikhrovey predicts a harsh winter, a warm one predicts a mild one.• Winds with swirls predict an abundance of snow in winter.• Rain that began that day threatens to drag on for a long time.

Orthodox holidays on August 16:

On August 16, they celebrate the Day of Remembrance of St. Anthony the Roman, who is also known as the Novgorod miracle worker. Anthony was born in Rome at the beginning of the 11th century. His parents were Orthodox Christians. His family was not in need and was considered rich by those standards. The parents' wealth did not corrupt them, and they raised Anthony to be a pious young man. When the boy turned 17 years old, they died. Having become an orphan, Anthony began studying his father's notes in Greek. A few years later, he decided to take monastic vows in one of the desert monasteries, and before that the young man had to get rid of his parents’ inheritance. Anthony distributed part of his fortune to the poor, and invested the rest of his wealth in a barrel, which he threw into the sea, so that through the efforts of the Lord it would fall into the hands of those who need it most. Anthony became a monk and lived for more than 20 years in one of the desert monasteries, which he was forced to leave due to persecution by the Latins. The brothers had to disperse throughout the world. Anthony wandered for a long time until he finally found a stone on a deserted shore. He considered this place the best for solitary prayer and fasting. The miracle worker lived on the stone for a whole year, until one day a strong storm broke out. She lifted the stone into the air along with Anthony and carried it to the sea. The miracle worker surrendered to the will of the elements and only meekly awaited his fate. Some time later, on the eve of a great holiday, not far from Novgorod, a stone was nailed to the bank of the small Volkhov River along with Anthony, who was holding a sedge branch in his hand. It is with this branch that he is depicted on all icons. This event was even officially attested in the Novgorod chronicles. Anthony received the blessing of the local saint and began construction of a monastery on this very spot in the village of Volkhovskoye. A year later, Russian fishermen caught from the river the same wooden barrel in which part of the wealth of Anthony’s family was preserved. The Wonderworker used this money to purchase land for a new monastery. Anthony was a strict but fair mentor. He carefully monitored the expenses of the monastery and always distributed part of them to the poor, widows and orphans. In the monastery, spiritual enlightenment was combined with hard work. Even during the life of the miracle worker, stone construction began in the monastery. The cathedral, built at that time, has survived to this day. Anthony died at a very old age. His relics were kept in a silver-bound shrine, along with a sprig of sedge. After the 30s of the last century they disappeared without a trace. No one knows where the relics of Anthony the Roman are now located.