After the collapse of the Russian Empire, a new state appeared on the world map. At the Congress of Soviets of Peasants, Workers and Red Army Soldiers on December 30, 1922, a decision was made to annex three others - Belarusian, Ukrainian and Transcaucasian - to the Russian Soviet Federative Republic. This became possible after the revolution of 1917. Despite the fact that Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were annexed in 1925-1929, and Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Moldova only in 1940, the Day of the Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is celebrated on 30 December in memory of the events of 1922 The USSR, located on 1/6 of the landmass, ranked second in the world in economic and military power. In terms of population, the country is second only to India and China. In 1990, more than 287 million people lived in the Soviet Union. More than 180 nations and nationalities living on the territory of the state were divided into republics and autonomous regions with subordination to Moscow and the Politburo of the Communist Party. However, the USSR gradually replenished with human resources. Some republics appeared in its composition as a result of national-state demarcation. Thus, the Transcaucasian SFSR, 14 years after its inclusion in the Union, was divided into 3 parts - the Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan and Georgian. In 1936, the Kazakh and Kirghiz SSRs were separated. In total, the union until its collapse in 1991 included 15 republics. Their mottos were located on the coat of arms of the USSR; each of them had its own anthem, constitution, flag and other attributes. This is interesting: There were not always 15 Union republics. As a result of the war with Finland and the signing of a peace treaty in March 1940, the Karelo-Finnish SSR was formed. It had all the attributes of statehood: an anthem, the Supreme Council, the Academy of Sciences, etc. 16 The republic did not last long and was abolished in 1956. The alliance of “fifteen sisters” included peoples and territories united both economically and ideologically under the banner of communism. There is an ambiguous assessment of the role of the USSR for a number of republics, which still make claims of their colonial exploitation by the “big brother”. However, it cannot be denied that it was thanks to the Union that the peoples of Central Asia received an alphabet, the population increased their level of literacy, and the economy of the republics from agrarian became industrial. A similar effect from the introduction of socialist culture was observed among residents of the Far North. This is interesting: In Soviet times there was a running joke: “A chicken is not a bird, Bulgaria is not a foreign country.” Indeed, the country was considered very friendly to the Soviet Union. In 1960, its head Todor Zhikov raised the question of including Bulgaria into the USSR. But the state with its capital in Sofia was denied the status of a union republic. 69 years after its founding, the USSR ceased to exist. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Georgia announced their withdrawal from its membership and categorical refusal to join the Commonwealth of Independent States. The remaining 11 former republics became part of the CIS in December 1991. However, as a union state, this de facto unification did not take place, because national isolation turned out to be very important for the population of the “fifteen sisters”. The collapse of the Soviet Union does not detract from its historical role in the lives of citizens of the former republics and the world community, which is why the Day of the Formation of the USSR is celebrated on December 30.

December 30th is a celebration of extraordinary last-minute changes that was largely designed to lift people's spirits. It is not known for certain who initiated the establishment of this day, but the idea was a great success. And all because the creator or creators took into account the psychological characteristics of man. The fact is that when we do not dare to do something important, then such indecision can drag on for hours, weeks and months, that is, until we forget about our plans or do not implement them. But there are certain days that are important in a person’s life, which give him the courage to make a decision. As a rule, this is the end of the year or a date associated with some important personal event. Many people know that numerous articles and advice from psychologists appear in the media on how to properly complete things in the past year and how to formulate your plans for the next one. That is, the end of the calendar year is presented as something important, reminiscent of a significant milestone in a person’s life. This is partly true, and that is why there is a phenomenon according to which matters that have been put off for a long time are much easier to resolve during such important periods. For example, someone for a long time did not dare to call a loved one and confess their feelings. This dragged on day after day, but at the very end of the year a person suddenly has courage, and he understands how important it is to have time to negotiate before the beginning of next year. That is why such changes are called extraordinary. The end of the year has a great influence on the psychological component of a person. He becomes more decisive, ready for action, and bolder in completing unfinished projects that have been put off for a long time. You can celebrate this holiday in different ways. But, as the name implies, you should focus your attention on boldly putting an end where you want to put it, or not being afraid to take a step towards new circumstances when making decisions. Such dates should also be considered as good psychotherapy. If they did not exist, and the end of the year was perceived as nothing more than the end of the calendar month, then numerous tasks and plans would remain unfinished. Many very important conversations for people would not have taken place, since they simply would not have dared to have them. This means that it would not be possible to ask for forgiveness, offer to forget grievances, starting with a clean slate, confess love, and so on. By the way, on this day it is worth helping your family and friends in making some decisions that will change their lives. For example, someone doubts for a long time whether it is worth buying a house. It is quite possible to support a person, inspire him, promise moral support. Yes, precisely because we are so often afraid to change our lives and such dates are created that psychologically push us to take active action. We can also sum up the results of the past year, which, of course, was also filled with some important projects. Some things were brought to life, some things were not... Perhaps it is on December 30th that you need to rethink your successes and failures and again decide to change your life, bringing the long-overdue changes into reality.

According to the rules of etiquette, it is customary to give flowers without packaging, which is often not inferior in sophistication to the beauty of the bouquet. It’s nice to receive gifts wrapped, so that you can slowly unwrap them in anticipation of a surprise. The custom of packing valuables in clay amphorae and pots came to us from Ancient Greece. Later, wooden boxes, boxes and drawers, jute and cotton bags began to be used for these purposes. At the beginning of the twentieth century. In the United States, a tradition arose, which later spread to other countries, of giving gifts in wrapping paper or other types of decorative packaging. This marked the beginning of the development of a new industry in trade. Some people trust the packaging of gifts to professionals, while others prefer to do it personally, getting a lot of pleasure from the process. On the eve of the New Year, December 30th is celebrated as a fun Gift Wrapping Day. On the eve of Christmas, Catholics hang colorful decorative socks near the fireplace or Christmas tree. They put gifts for loved ones in them, as if Santa Claus did it. The tradition of hanging stockings or boots on the fireplace grate appeared in Europe in the 14th century. In Russia, gifts are most often given for the New Year, not for Christmas. They are placed in a beautifully designed bag or box, wrapped in plain or multi-colored paper, and the packages are decorated with ribbons and bows. Gifts decorated in this way create coziness and a festive atmosphere in the house. They are placed under the Christmas tree, where some are waiting in the wings - the onset of the New Year. Creating an original design for a gift with your own hands gives it even more value in the eyes of the recipient. Therefore, according to tradition, on December 30, families gather around a large table, having purchased packaging materials in advance. A wide selection of paper of all textures and colors, matting, organza, cardboard boxes and decorative elements provides the donor with the opportunity to realize any fantasies. The main difference between New Year's packaging and regular holiday packaging is the presence of drawings of Father Frost, Snow Maiden, Christmas trees, snowflakes and other winter attributes on wrapping paper. The packages and boxes are decorated with ribbons and bows, accompanied by a small card with wishes. New Year's gifts are placed in homemade fabric bags reminiscent of Santa Claus's bag. For decoration, real or artificial cones, spruce branches and red berries dusted with snow are used. Gift Wrapping Day is an unusual holiday that helps create a New Year's mood and gives the expectation of a miracle. Packaging for perfume, chocolate, jewelry, bathrobes, alcohol, blankets, personalized cups and diaries will add mystery and make them a real surprise. Find some time in the pre-New Year bustle and spend it on holiday decoration of gifts for loved ones!

In the repertoire of the composer and poet Igor Kornelyuk there is a song about a city that does not exist in reality. The lyrical hero of the musical work sadly recalls the irretrievably gone past, in which there was so much sincerity, good spiritual impulses and selfless love. The poet is not ready to give up his dream of returning to this lost paradise. At the end of the film "Mayor Poppins, Goodbye!" The heroes of the film find themselves in a mysterious place where they meet with their childhood. In a non-existent country, each of the characters talks to himself, who is at a very young age. It is possible that it is precisely about visiting this place that I. Kornelyuk’s hero dreams of from the song “The City That Doesn’t Exist.” The history of mankind is full of myths, both about gods and legendary heroes, and mysterious states that are not on the world map. In the memory of the inhabitants of Mesoamerica, the legend of El Dorado, a fabulous country rich in gold and precious stones, hidden in the Amazon jungle from the eyes of the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors, still lives. This is how the Incas saved in the 16th century. South American treasures from plunder by colonists. Therefore, El Dorado (translated from Spanish as “the golden country”) has not yet been found. However, there is another disappeared state, the memory of which stirs the hearts of many people. On December 30, 1922, a powerful country was created - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The largest state in terms of area during its heyday ranked second in the world in terms of economic development, taking into account nominal GDP and military power, second only to its main competitor and strategic adversary - the United States. Over the 68 years of its existence, the USSR experienced many great victories and heavy defeats, demonstrating to the whole world the unbending spirit of Soviet citizens. Many of them remember with nostalgia a society in which social elevators worked, people were equal before the law, and their rights were protected by the state. Despite the horrors of repression and deportation of small nations, the periods of Stalin’s purges of the nomenklatura and the harsh years of the Great Patriotic War associated with the loss of loved ones, Soviet people are grateful to the USSR for the opportunity to receive free housing, education and quality medical care. After the signing of the agreement on the disintegration of the never-mighty country in Belovezhskaya Pushcha in December 1991, it ceased to exist. However, this does not detract from the role the USSR played in the global civilizational process. The formation of a state in which power belonged to the people, workers and peasants, left its mark on history forever. Therefore, on December 30, according to established tradition, the Soviet Union is remembered, celebrating the birthday of a country that is no longer on the world map.

Republic Day Madagascar

December 30 (December 17, old style) is celebrated as Danilov's Day according to the folk calendar. It comes from the church day of honoring the memory of the prophet Daniel of Jerusalem and his three youth friends: Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah, devoted believers of the Lord in the 5th century BC. e. The future prophet began life in a noble family, but during the capture of Jerusalem he became a captive of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Young Daniel and his three friends – Azariah, Mishael and Hananiah – were sent to be trained to work in the king’s court. The youths secretly believed in God and led a modest and righteous life. For this, the Almighty endowed them with the ability to study, after which they were taken into the service of the ruler, and Daniel received a special gift - to explain dreams and foresee the future. Once, for refusing to bow before the pagan gods, three friends of the prophet were lowered onto a fiery slab. But the comrades were saved from the flame by an angel of God. Seeing such a miracle, the ruler Nebuchadnezzar accepted the Christian faith. When Daniel served for King Darius, envious people slandered the prophet. The ruler ordered him to be thrown to death among the lions, but the animals did not touch Daniel, feeling the protection of the Lord. During his life, Daniel wrote a book of prophecies that included the destruction of Babylon, the coming of God's son, and the fate of the Jewish people. Jesus Christ himself referred to the prophecies of Daniel in his communication with the Jews. On Daniel's Day, there was a tradition of staging a performance dedicated to the prophet Daniel and the three youths. The action played out as Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were sent into the oven, and they came out of it unharmed. This performance served not only as a lesson to believe in the power of God, but also as an entertainment event. Unmarried girls asked Daniel for a little insight. They also carried out fortune telling in the name of the future husband: the names of three prophets were written on laurel leaves and placed under the pillow before going to bed so that the betrothed would appear in a dream. It was believed that on Danilov's day dreams could come true. The weather for May was determined by Danil's day. If it snowed, it means that May should be rainy, and sunny weather foreshadowed clear May days. Frost on the trees meant warmer temperatures for Christmas. The blizzard outside the window said that bees would swarm well in the spring.

Orthodox holidays on December 30: