Heroes of the Fatherland Day, celebrated in our country on December 9, is a relatively “young” holiday. Despite the fact that in modern Russia its celebration was approved in 2007, the history and tradition of this day carries its historical meaning from the 17th century. In pre-revolutionary Russia, December 9 (November 26, old style) was celebrated as the Day of the Knights of St. George. Before the revolution of 1917, Empress Catherine II established the Order of St. George the Victorious, which at that time was the highest military award of the Russian Empire. Only those warriors who courageously, valiantly and boldly defended our country from external enemies had the right to receive it. The Order of St. George the Victorious had 4 degrees. So Field Marshal Generals M.I. Kutuzov and M.B. Barclay de Tolly, for his courage and devotion to the Russian people in the Patriotic War of 1812, was awarded the honor of being knights of all four degrees. An important fact is that now the “St. George ribbon” is one of the symbols of May 9. Catherine II herself explained the combination of three black and two orange stripes by saying that it was a combination of gunpowder and fire. After the revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks canceled the holiday, but still retained the order as the highest state award. Thus, among the heroes of the USSR, holders of the full St. George Cross were: S.M. Budyonny, M.M. Meshcheryakov, M.E. Kozyr, K.I. Nedorubov, I.V. Tyulenev, I.S. Lazarenko (posthumously), G.A. Ageev (posthumously). The modern history of the Russian Federation knows such heroes of the Order of St. George as A.V. Lebed (Cnight 4th degree), V.Yu. Volkovitsky (chevalier 4th degree), V.A. Boldyrev (Cnight 2nd degree), A.N. Zelin (2nd degree holder), etc. The establishment of the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland combines three eras: imperial, Soviet and modern. The return of the holiday involves not only a tribute to the past, but also the unification into one short day of memory of several centuries of a great and powerful state. The Day of Heroes of the Fatherland is not only a holiday for heroes, but also a day of remembrance for our descendants, on which we touch upon a small part of the exploits of the country’s heroes, who, not sparing their lives, fought for the freedom and independence of our state. This is a great day to instill a sense of patriotism in the country's younger generation. Remembering our past, proud of our present, we can confidently step into the future, realizing that the power and authority of a great country is behind us! Few people know, but Hero of the Fatherland Day has now developed its own set of traditions. Thus, the opening of monuments, holding rallies and ceremonial meetings, holding various sports competitions and, of course, lessons in courage have become part of the modern tradition. Cultural institutions and educational institutions organize holiday concerts, hold thematic exhibitions, and give lectures on the theme of the holiday. In many regions of the country, leaders hold ceremonial receptions for citizens with honorary titles and days of remembrance for fallen soldiers. As a rule, wreaths and flowers are always laid at the burial places of soldiers, the eternal flame and memorials of glory.

December 9 is the International Anti-Corruption Day, approved and celebrated annually at the initiative of the UN. Why was the fight against corruption singled out as a separate date? The connection is obvious, an extremely negative and immoral, antisocial and antisocial phenomenon is a great threat to the existing order and stability in the world. The consequences of the actions of corrupt officials neutralize democratic values, hinder economic development, are a breeding ground for crime and instability in society, but, perhaps most importantly, they undermine a person’s faith in justice. On this day in 2003 in Mexico, at a political conference, the Convention (UNCAC) was opened to signatory countries wishing to join the fight against international evils: bribery, bribery of officials, fraud with public funds and misappropriation. To date, 140 countries have signed this document, and 80 have ratified it. Even countries with developed democracies are not protected from unlawful actions of officials at various levels, from minor officials to deputies whom the people entrusted to defend their interests. Like a cancerous tumor, corruption permeates all echelons of power, hence the prosperity of poverty, hunger, disease, and various types of crimes. Corrupt officials of all states, from third world countries to economically developed ones, have the same moral values, they care exclusively about the amount of money in their own wallet. States that have signed the Convention develop general measures to combat corruption, punish those responsible, adopt laws that prevent illicit enrichment and close loopholes for corrupt schemes at the state and international level. One such example is the arrest and extradition of corrupt officials hiding from justice in countries that have signed the Convention. States members of an international treaty must seize the assets of criminals on their territories and provide all possible assistance in their extradition to their homeland. Requirements for all states that have signed the Convention to achieve clear and high-quality work of special bodies that control officials at all levels of government. The General Assembly recommended that participating countries focus on the International Code, which defines the conduct of government officials. The main goal of the Corruption Day events is a broad discussion on this topic not only within the walls of the General Assembly, but also at the level of governments, public organizations of all participating countries and the development of solutions. Public discussions, thematic lectures, conversations and seminars are held. Active citizens go to demonstrations in order to clearly demonstrate their protest sentiments to the leadership of countries.

Every year on December 9, Russia celebrates the Day of Departmental Protection of Railway Transport. More than 60 thousand employees of a strategically important unit are celebrating their professional holiday. F. Dzerzhinsky, who headed the People's Commissariat of Railways since April 1921, took the initiative to create a special unit to protect the country's railways, about which the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of Labor and Defense signed a corresponding decree on December 9, 1921. Therefore, this particular date became a holiday for the guards of the country's railway lines. Since 1949, special units responsible for the safety of railway facilities, passenger safety and the delivery of valuable cargo have increased. Fire brigades appeared, whose responsibilities included preventive work, and, if necessary, the elimination of fires on trains, about which a special note was made in the regulations of the Ministry of Railways (MPS). Since 2003, the units have left the Ministry of Railways of the Russian Federation. Today it is a separate structure - “Departmental Security of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation”. More than 2,300 important railway facilities are under the constant control of special forces officers. All departmental security employees, as well as students preparing to join the ranks of the structure, veterans who have proven dedication to their work, and ordinary personnel who conscientiously perform their duties, take part in the celebration of the professional date. On this day, there are ceremonial speeches by senior officials, ceremonies for awarding the most valuable employees with medals, certificates, prizes, and prizes. Announce new appointments and assignments of new titles. Seminars are held to exchange experience. The media actively participate in festive events. There are special programs on television about the structure, interviews with labor veterans, and programs on the correct handling of special equipment and weapons. Concerts and performances by invited artists and singers are held in different cities. The importance of this profession cannot be overestimated. Every day, hundreds of tons of cargo and thousands of people arrive at their destinations safe and sound, thanks to the efforts of qualified employees of the departmental security of Russian railway transport.

Genocide, carried out for racial, religious, national or other reasons, is the most cynical and terrible crime against human society and humanity. With the need to commemorate those killed in massacres that took place on various occasions in the past, the UN General Assembly expressed its determination to help prevent similar events in the future. A. Deng, who became a special adviser on the prevention of genocide, timed these words to coincide with the establishment of a commemorative celebration dedicated to the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, honoring their dignity and preventing this crime. Representatives of Armenia took the initiative to establish this memorable day at the 103rd plenary meeting during the 60th session of the UN. This initiative became a logical continuation of the actions of Armenian politicians launched during the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council, held on March 27 in Geneva. The result of the efforts of representatives of the initiating country was the adoption in September 2015 of UN resolution A/RES/69323, which established the memorable date of December 9. The symbolism of the choice of the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, honoring their dignity and preventing this crime was the anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The initiative of the Armenian representatives of their people was sincerely approved thanks to an agreement between representatives of 80 UN member countries. As a result, the agreed document came into force without the mandatory voting in such cases. According to the resolution, from now on, every state that does not prevent, suppress or contribute to the partial or complete destruction of any ethnic, national, racial or religious group of its citizens or citizens of other countries bears full responsibility for each person killed. At the same time, it is separately confirmed that the severity of the crime against humanity being committed and the punishment for it do not depend on ongoing military operations, civil conflicts or in a peaceful situation. Along with the state, both governing bodies and branches of government, as well as individuals, bear full responsibility, regardless of their religious or political beliefs and aspirations. The role of the Armenian people in establishing the memorial day is entirely logical. Representatives of this particular nationality were the first in the 20th century to be exterminated on ethnic grounds. The persecution and genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, which began at the end of the 19th century, reached its climax by 1915, in which over 1,500,000 people were killed. Having barely recovered from such a blow, a small nation is making every effort to ensure that such a blow is not inflicted on any nation or nationality in the world. Honoring the memory of those who were victims of persecution, preventing the recurrence of such events and the inevitability of punishment for crimes against humanity is an important task for all elements of modern society.

Loaders are representatives of a profession that involves heavy physical labor. However, it would be a mistake to think that their only skill is moving objects of various masses and dimensions. So, a rigger is involved in transporting goods, slinging and storing, and can disassemble and assemble equipment. Workers typically work in teams to provide packing, removal, and securing services. Professionals are responsible for the integrity and safety of fragile objects, paintings, sculptures, antiques and other valuables. December 9th is Loader's Day - a holiday of strong and resilient men. Many stars at the beginning of their film and television careers did not disdain menial work. In their youth, actors Dmitry Nagiyev, Sergey Selin, Ivan Urgant, Viktor Sukhorukov and Yuri Kolokolnikov, musicians Konstantin Kinchev and Sergey Shnurov worked as loaders. In their youth, Mick Jager and Freddie Mercury, Chuck Norris and Brad Pitt, who delivered and unloaded furniture in Missouri, where his family lived at that time, carried heavy loads. The profession has never been particularly prestigious, but the roles of loaders played by brilliant actors will forever remain in the history of cinema. Thus, Soviet viewers liked the alcoholic Fedulov from the 1975 film “Afonya,” into whom B.N. masterfully portrayed. Brondukov. Europeans and Americans admired Marlon Brando’s stevedore from E. Kazan’s drama “On the Waterfront,” released in 1954. Any job requires qualifications and knowledge. And the profession of a loader is no exception. In addition to rigging belts, transport handles for carrying drywall and carts, craftsmen use winches, traverses, hydraulic lifts and electric hoists. Objects weighing several tons are moved using a hydraulic jack. The speed of the loader’s work and the final result depend on the possession of special equipment: transportation of an item of any weight and size - from an ATM and a piano to a lathe. Docker mechanics work with equipment that helps moor ships and transport containers and pallets to warehouses. Hard workers from Odessa are mentioned by V. Vysotsky in Bengalsky’s couplets in the film “Dangerous Tours”: “Loaders in the port, who have no equal, relax with Krylov’s fables...” Songs are dedicated to the professional, jokes are made about their work and jokes are heard in KVN and other programs. In fact, there is very little romance in the profession of a loader. Transportation of objects of various purposes, dimensions and weight is hard and exhausting work. Therefore, December 9th is Loader's Day - a holiday for real men.

December 9 is the birthday of the computer mouse. It was born in 1968 thanks to the American inventor Douglas Engelbart. On this day, he presented a conference on computer technology, which took place in San Francisco. This first device was in the form of a wooden cube with disks and just one button. Jeff Rulifson did the software and engineer Bill English did the assembly. There were two disks inside the cube. One was responsible for moving back and forth, and the second turned when it was moved left and right. It was called a mouse because of the cord. The idea was later developed by Xerox. The researchers redesigned the design, which was more similar to modern models. The discs in it were replaced by a roller and instead of one button there were 3. But its cost was exorbitant - $400. Apple has solved this problem and reduced the cost of a new model for the Lisa computer to $20. It was thanks to this company that the computer mouse became popular. It began to be actively used on the Apple Macintosh. And later on the IBM PC in the Windows operating system. In the process of evolution, mechanical mice with a roller have completely replaced optical ones. They track the mouse's movement relative to the surface using optical sensors. Their mass production began recently - in 2004. But now it is almost impossible to find a mechanical mouse. Also, some models have lost their “tail”. Bluetooth is used as a signal transmitter, which is convenient for computers that are initially equipped with adapters, or receiving devices that connect directly to the computer. And the power supply is batteries or an accumulator, which is recharged from the computer. The latest innovation, which is not yet widely used, is the gyroscopic mouse. A manipulator with a gyroscope can recognize movement in space. That is, it can be operated while in the air using your hand. Doesn't have to be on a surface. There are no special honors for the mouse. But it is precisely the date of appearance of the first analogue of a modern mouse that developers often time the presentation of new products. A large number of brands produce this accessory. They organize thematic exhibitions, seminars, and trainings. The media publishes articles dedicated to the manipulator. The modern variety of designs is surprising. Of course, ergonomic models are the most popular, but you can find any shape: cars, rockets, hands, etc. The number of buttons is no longer a standard value.

Helicopter Pilot Day in Russia

International Shareware Day

The scientific and technological revolution of the mid-twentieth century, which is often called the Third Industrial Revolution, led to the rapid development of technology and electronics. Man began to use machines not only for complex calculations and to facilitate labor in the production of goods, but also for writing pictures and melodies. American Juan Atkins from Michigan, located in the state of Detroit, is a pioneer in electronic music. It is believed that it was he who “taught machines to speak.” Atkins's birth date, December 9, 1962, has become a holiday celebrated annually since the early 2000s - World Techno Music Day. To write melodies in this genre, guitars, synthesizers and sequencers, drum machines and digital sound stations are used. Techno, derived from house music, funk and synthpop, is characterized by a low-range sound with a tempo of 120 to 150 beats per minute and a central rhythm in regular time (4/4). It is believed that the fusion of dance tunes with futuristic sounds helps in the brain's production of dopamine, which is responsible for receiving pleasure and joy, reaching the point of delight. Electronic dance music originated in Germany in the early 1980s, but the popularity of this style came thanks to the Americans Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and Derrick Mayam from the group The Belleville Three. Their work marked the beginning of the first wave of Detroit techno - one of the varieties of the genre. German DJ Andreas Tomalla, who worked under the pseudonym Talla 2XLC, used electronic musical instruments and tools when writing music for Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk. In 1984 he founded the Technoclub in Frankfurt am Main. The place became a center of attraction for music lovers who appreciated the atmosphere of an endless celebration - the enchanting lighting of the club premises and the unusual sound of electronic music. A characteristic feature of Detroit techno, which developed in the USA in parallel with Europe, was the use of analog synthesizers and old-style drum machines. Juan Atkins, from whom the main ideas and sound concepts came, registered the term “techno” - a kind of embryo of funk, synthpop and other genres. In 1988, the UK caught the wave coming from Detroit, infusing techno with hardcore and rave. Since the early 1990s, techno music began to be recorded in studios in Berlin, Brussels and other European cities. In honor of World Techno Day, dance parties and festivals are held. These events are attended by fans of EDM and its musical styles - ambient-techno, minimal-techno, detroit-techno, etc. At concerts and shows dedicated to the holiday, people not only dance, but also communicate. On December 9, fans of the music genre post on social networks with the hashtags #WorldTechnoDay or #TechnoDay, attracting the attention of as many music lovers as possible to World Techno Day.

On December 9 (November 26, old style), according to the folk calendar, the day of Yegory the Winter is celebrated; this day is also called Yuri Kholodny. It is dedicated to the memory of the Great Martyr George the Victorious. Being the son of wealthy Christians, George stood out for his intelligence, physical strength and courage. When he entered military service with Emperor Diocletian, he earned the rank of commander and became the ruler’s favorite. George saw how cruelly the emperor treated Christians, so he went to the ruler in order to stop his order to persecute the followers of Christ. Knowing that punishment awaited him, the great martyr first distributed all his belongings to the needy. The emperor listened to the saint's convincing speech, although to no avail. In addition, Diocletian ordered George to be tortured with various instruments, wanting to force him to go over to the side of the pagans. The martyr endured pain in every possible way, glorifying God. But in the end his head was cut off. Even after his death, George worked a miracle. There is a legend among the people that during a sacrifice in the city of Beirut, the king’s daughter was brought to a huge snake. Suddenly, out of nowhere, George appeared on a horse. In one fell swoop he killed the serpent with his spear. Among the people, George (Yegory, Yuri) was considered the patron saint of animals, especially wolves. People believed that wolves do not attack livestock without Yuri's permission. On his day, they began the winter hunt, while the bears, on the contrary, entered a period of hibernation. The people were wary not only of predators, but also of the coming frosts - they filled the cracks in the house with felt and matting. Just on Yuri's day it was the middle of two weeks when the peasant was allowed to change his landowner. Before doing this, it was necessary to pay off debts with the previous landowner. There was also a custom to repay debts on Yuri’s day, so as not to be in debt for the rest of your life. The weather was determined by looking into the well - if there is silence in it, then the winter will not be cold, and if a sound is heard, then severe frosts will be expected. The frost that fell the day before foreshadowed the early shoots of oats in the spring. The long snowstorm on Yuri's day promised a good swarm of bees in the apiary. The wind from the north meant the arrival of frost in the near future.

Orthodox holidays on December 9:

Memorial Day of St. James the Hermit of Syria

In Orthodoxy, the feast day of St. Alypius the Stylite is celebrated on December 9 according to the new style. He is revered in many areas of Christianity for his ascetic lifestyle and asceticism. His status as a “pillar” is an indicator of a special feat pleasing to God. In the literal sense, “standing on a pillar” meant continuously being in prayer on a large stone, an open, elevated platform. The founder of this type of asceticism is considered to be Saint Simeon, who spent 37 years doing this. The act inspired many followers, one of whom was Alypius. They, along with Saint Daniel, are the most famous ascetic monks who chose this type of service to the Lord. Alypius was born in 515 (according to some sources - 522) in the south of Asia Minor, which belonged to the Roman Empire, in the city of Adrianople. His mother, a professing Christian, had a vision shortly before the birth of her son. The Lord indicated the chosenness of Alypius - at the moment of his birth, the room was filled with divine radiance. Having become a widow at an early age, the woman gave her son to be raised and educated by Bishop Theodore, and completely dedicated her life to the Lord. The young man showed amazing results in the study of the Divine Scripture and possessed many virtues unusual for young age. This earned him the favor of his mentor: he was ordained a priest and received the position of assistant bishop. But after a while, the thought of solitude and complete renunciation from worldly life began to haunt him more and more insistently. One day, in the vicinity of the city, he came across an unusual deserted place - a former pagan temple where the dead Hellenes were buried. It was abandoned, people avoided it, and for this reason it was perfect for Alypius, who was looking for solitude. He was not afraid of evil spirits: he drove them away with prayer and the sign of the cross. The ability to see and understand the hidden is a gift that visits the chosen few. After destroying the statue of the idol and installing the cross in the place of the overthrown one, two messengers appeared to him in a dream, confirming his mission - to consecrate this territory and bring the word of God to people. But Alypius was forced to return to the monastery to his duties. The trip to Constantinople on bishop's business turned out to be significant. Along the way, he had a divine vision of St. Euphemia, a famous martyr of the 4th century, who promised intercession. He, in turn, returned to the previously chosen place and built a church in her honor using donations. Then he ascended the pillar to enlighten and protect with prayer the parishioners, who soon increased in number, as the news of his activities and ability to heal spread throughout the area. The teacher and mentor from God confirmed this by opening two monasteries, male and female. The burden of asceticism was not light: he spent the last 14 years of his life paralyzed, lying on one side. But hardships did not prevent him from continuing his activities, giving his help to believers. The monk died at the age of more than 100 years - in 640. His relics also have power - many people received healing. Today, some of them are located in one of the monasteries of Athos. The iconography has its own distinctive features associated with the activities of the monk. On the most ancient frescoes and icons of the X - XII centuries. he was depicted on a pillar-column, often with a blessing hand and a scroll in the image of a venerable old man. The veneration of Alypius in Orthodoxy was established quite quickly, because in Rus' some saints became famous for this type of asceticism. On Memorial Day, those seeking advice in a difficult or hopeless situation after a prayer appeal are rewarded.

Memorial Day of St. Stylian of Paphlagonia