The decision to organize events in support of victims of various crimes was first announced in Sweden in the late 80s of the last century. This significant event took place at the international Victim Support Forum in Europe. The participants chose the end of winter, namely February 22, as the corresponding date. At first, it was celebrated with the symbolic lighting of candles in memory of the victims of illegal acts. In subsequent years, residents of France, Great Britain and Germany began to celebrate this event. Currently, the National Day of Support for Crime Victims is celebrated in many European countries. As a rule, on this day demonstration events, musical performances, thematic conferences and fundraisers are organized to support victims of crime. In addition, on February 22, legislative acts aimed at protecting people from crimes of various types come into force. The issue of public rehabilitation of people who suffered as a result of illegal actions was raised at the end of the last century. In the fall of 1985, the UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Lawbreakers developed the Declaration of Core Rules of Justice for Victims of Crime. In November of the same year, the UN General Assembly approved this document, creating for the first time universal principles for the protection of victims of crime. Subsequently, a number of states adopted and put into effect legislative acts recognized to protect victims from criminal acts, as well as aimed at their rehabilitation, compensation for material damage and compensation for moral damage. There are approximately 200 different crime victim assistance programs around the world. They provide tremendous financial and psychological support to people when dealing with stressful and crisis situations. Every year on February 22, many countries host thematic events, social events, consultations, conferences, congresses and meetings organized by human rights activists and public associations. Often officials and law enforcement officers take part in them.

Few people know that on February 22 in Kyrgyzstan, workers in the field of land management, geodesy and cartography celebrate their professional holiday. The work of these people is hardly noticeable to others, but nevertheless one cannot do without it. It is thanks to people involved in the field of geodesy, cartography and land management that the modern real estate market is being formed. The professional holiday was established in 2007, based on Resolution No. 24 of January 31, 2007. Since then it has been celebrated every year, but the holiday itself is known only in a narrow professional circle. In 1999, the government of the Kyrgyz Republic carried out land reform. The Day of the Worker of Land Management, Geodesy and Cartography of Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstandin zherge zhaigashtyruu, kyimylsyz mulkko ukuktardy kattoo, geodesy zhana cartography kyzmatkerinin kunu) is celebrated in the Republic annually on February 22. This holiday was established by Decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 24 dated January 31, 2007 at the proposal of the State Agency for Real Estate Rights under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. By establishing this holiday, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic took into account the contribution of workers in land management, registration of rights to real estate, geodesy and cartography in carrying out land reform, creating a national system for registering rights to real estate, developing the land and real estate market, and carrying out cartography work. Since February 22, 1999, state registration of real estate transactions has been entrusted to the State Agency for Registration of Rights to Real Estate under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (Gosregister of the Kyrgyz Republic). If you have friends or acquaintances in such a rare profession, do not forget to congratulate them on this day on their professional holiday - the Day of Worker of Land Management, Geodesy and Cartography of Kyrgyzstan!

World Thinking Day has been celebrated by the Girl Scouts since 1926. It was established at the Fourth World Congress of Girl Scouts. The date February 22 was not chosen by chance. It was on this day (with a difference of 32 years) that the founders of the scouting movement, the Baden-Powell couple, were born. Officially, the date is called Founders' Day, but members of scouting organizations more often call it a day of reflection, as this reflects the spirit of the holiday to a greater extent. The idea of ​​the holiday is for girls all over the world united by the scout movement to think about their “sisters”, support each other and think together about ways to solve common problems. On this day, you need to understand the true meaning of mutual assistance and sisterhood. In some countries, Boy Scouts also take part in the celebration, although the date is more associated with the Girl Scout branch. Until 1999, the holiday was known only in the United States, then it spread to other countries where the scouting movement is developed. All over the world today it unites more than 10 million girls. Cells operate in 150 countries. In recent decades, Girl Scouts Worldwide has begun to set a theme for reflection each year. Usually these are global problems, such as the shortage of clean water in the world, adolescent health, ecology, poverty, and restrictions on the rights of girls. Several local and global traditions have emerged over the years of World Reflection Day celebrations: 1. Girl Scouts get together, discuss their founders, express gratitude to each other, and sometimes also send cards to “sisters” in other cities or countries. 2. In the evening, the girls light a candle and place it near the window. The candle flame symbolizes the guiding light that illuminates the goal and helps not to go astray. 3. In New Zealand, members of the organization climb Mount Eden, located near the city of Auckland. There they light a fire, raise the scout flag, sing songs, and share their thoughts and ideas.

Every year on February 22, many countries celebrate World Encephalitis Day. It was created to raise people's awareness of encephalitis and thereby prevent possible cases of infection with this infectious disease that affects the brain and nervous system. The initiative to create World Awareness Day came from representatives of the Encephalitis Society. In October 2013, it was decided to hold events aimed at familiarizing citizens with the symptoms of the disease, special diagnostics and treatment annually on February 22. The first World Encephalitis Day was held in 2014. The events were held under a special motto - “Make today your first.” As it turns out, many patients had never heard of this disease before diagnosis. To raise awareness about this dangerous infectious disease, it was decided to share information in such a way that the whole world would know about it. In 2015, during World Encephalitis Day, it was decided to focus on the important role of early diagnosis in treating the disease. In many countries on this day, qualified specialists conducted webinars on various forms of encephalitis. Olympic athlete Rebecca Adlington and Britain's Got Talent contestant Alika Chrishou also joined the events. In subsequent years, digital art, photography and short film competitions were held to raise public awareness of the infection. The artists who took part in them, with the help of their works, helped people clearly see how dangerous this disease can be if it is not given due attention. Representatives of the World Encephalitis Society encouraged all supporters to wear red on this day, and also share their stories on social networks using the special hashtag #RED4WED. In 2017, about 40 million people joined the events on February 22. More than 50 of the world's most famous landmarks were equipped with red lighting. Among them were: Perth and Blackpool Tower, the Millennium Bridge, fountains in Trafalgar Square, as well as the Swan Bell Tower and Niagara Falls. In 2018, a special mobile application for smartphones, BrainWalk, was created. Users were invited to unite on February 22 and walk around the globe, taking more than 50 million digital steps. In total, many residents from 43 countries took part in this event. Together they managed to take 110 million steps.

Cats are one of the most revered pets in Japan. Their images and figurines displayed at the entrance to houses symbolize coziness and comfort. Therefore, the fact that it was the Land of the Rising Sun that initiated the celebration of Cat Day will not be surprising. The initiators of the day of honoring cats were Japanese manufacturers of pet food, including for cats. The day during which the furry animals became “names” was chosen with the originality inherent in the Japanese. Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun think that their pets emit not the “meow” familiar to Europeans, but “yum”. Then everything happens in accordance with the logic and norms of the vocabulary of the Japanese language. The cat's meow "nyan-nyan-naya" is translated into other languages ​​as "two-two-two", therefore, cat day should be celebrated on the 22nd day of the 2nd month, that is, February 22. The same companies initiated the creation of an executive committee for this celebration. The responsibilities of the created committee include not only holding various events on this day, but also popularizing and disseminating information about the habits and tastes of small animals to the maximum number of people, as well as working to increase the number of “master” Murzeichs and reduce the number of street cats. It is generally accepted that the ancestors of modern “Japanese” breeds came directly to Japan from China around the 6th century AD. This opinion is based on written sources, which indicate that cats “protected” transported sacred Buddhist books from damage by mice. Considering the fact that Japan had “its own” wild forest cats, mixing with imported furry cats, they gave impetus to the appearance of characteristic features inherent only to Japanese breeds. For example, Japanese bobtails either have no tail at all, or their tail is so short that it resembles a small pom-pom, which can be compared to a hare's tail. Over time, furry animals have so captured the minds of local residents that Japanese culture is unthinkable without their participation. Felines appeared in fine art and literature during the Heian period, during which (794 - 1192) a separate breed was developed - the Japanese bobtail. In modern Japanese popular culture - anime - they are an invariable attribute of both stylized images and figurines, and animated and feature films, as well as carnivals and other entertainment events. The central place in Japanese mythology associated with cats is occupied by a figurine of a cat with a raised paw - maneki-neko. This figurine or image symbolizes the wish for good, prosperity and good luck. The appearance of a strictly stylized pose is connected by two myths. In the first, a figurine made of clay in the classic maneki-neko pose and presented by the master to the owner of a small confectionery shop came to life. By “washing” the guests, this cat saved the woman from ruin and brought prosperity to the house, serving customers together with the hostess. In the second legend, a cat saved a wealthy landowner from death during a terrible thunderstorm. It seemed to a man hiding under a tree that a cat sitting on the threshold of a Buddhist temple was calling him to her. As soon as he came out from under the tree, a huge lightning struck his shelter and destroyed it. The man not only entered the temple and petted the cat, but also became friends with the monk, and his subsequent life was spent in prosperity and good fortune.

On February 22 (the old style date is February 9), according to the folk calendar, Pankratia Day is celebrated. The date owes its name to the honor among Orthodox Christians of Saint Pankratius of Pechersk, a monk who dedicated his life to prayers to the Lord. The history of Pankratius began in the 13th century. For his righteousness, God gave the monk the ability to heal the weak through prayer, fasting and the use of oil. He was also awarded the position of hieromonk at the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. He spent the rest of his life in seclusion in the Far Caves, where he was buried. The people of Pankratia were engaged in making bast shoes from fibrous fabric of linden or flax. Usually they were woven by men, since the work was labor-intensive and required considerable strength. The specimens covering the bootleg were called “Nicephorians” in honor of St. Nicephorus, also celebrated on this day. Lapteys were made for future use for the whole family, as they were comfortable, but not durable. The bast shoes could be worn out in warm weather in a couple of weeks. The remaining pairs were taken to the market for sale. They needed money especially badly, because the remaining food was running out, so they had to go to the market to buy food. A severe economy of food began, it even reached the point of famine, but it was necessary to hold out until the next harvest. The men inspected the household and repaired broken things. Before the field work began, the house had to be patched up, since then there was no time for this. Women were hardening the sowing seeds. To do this, they were taken out into the cold for three dawns in a row, starting from the Day of Pancratius. They believed that such hardening makes future plants more resistant to spring temperature changes. It was believed that winter was already receding, warming often occurred, the snow melted, and the smell of approaching spring was in the air. Therefore, they paid close attention to signs in order to determine the weather. The snow stuck on the tree branches on the Day of Pankratiya foreshadowed the coming warmth. If you saw a red sunset, you expected a snowstorm the next day. The daytime thaw promised a continuation of winter frosts, and hazel grouse appeared on the tree before a strong cold snap.

America's first president, George Washington, was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732. Americans call him the father of the nation and recognize him as the most significant figure in the history of the country. People celebrated his birthday during Washington's lifetime, and continued the tradition after his death, but the holiday became official only after 1885. George Washington's birthday was celebrated on February 22 until 1971. After the US Congress passed the Act moving certain memorial dates to Mondays, the holiday moved to the third Monday in February. Americans received 3 days off, and, according to the US government, these days bring significant benefits, both in the spiritual and economic life of the nation. Some reformers proposed renaming the holiday itself as President's Day, but Congress rejected this project, and the name remained the same. A few days before the holiday, American educational institutions host events dedicated to the activities of the first president. At Mount Vernon, Washington's former residence, a ceremony is held to lay flowers on the grave, themed games are held for children, lectures are given for students, and especially memorable artifacts are laid out for tourists. In Florida, for a hundred years in a row, they have been organizing a fun festival, George Fest, with a popular look-alike competition. Restaurants, cafes and bakeries bake traditional cherry cakes. Like most holidays, this special day comes with special promotions and sales. Symbolic of modern America, popular American car brands such as Ford, Chevrolet and Cadillac are in high demand during the holidays. In 1862, at a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, in the presence of many officials from the US Supreme Court, high-ranking officers of the army and navy, George Washington's farewell Address to the Nation, timed to coincide with his 130th anniversary, was read aloud. This has become an unshakable political tradition, observed to this day, every year on February 22.

Orthodox holidays on February 22:

Since 1992, the Orthodox Church has been celebrating the Day of the Discovery of the Relics of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. The memorial date was approved on February 22 and is celebrated annually. The patriarch was canonized as a saint 55 years after his death in 1981. Such high recognition of the significance of his personality occurred at the height of the Soviet era, when the Church was out of favor with state power. But it was precisely through the forces of Tikhon that the Orthodox faith in the Land of the Soviets retained its true essence and was able to revive its former significance for the entire country. The future saint was born in 1865 into the family of a clergyman, which predetermined his future fate. From a very young age, surrounded by the traditions of Orthodoxy, Vasily (secular name) knew that he would follow in the footsteps of his parent. Having received an education in religious educational institutions, the young man chooses teaching. But two years later, completely unexpectedly for friends and relatives, he took monastic vows, taking the name in honor of Tikhon of Zadonsk. The monastic life of the saint was far from peace and quiet; he occupied various positions and carried out many assignments. One of Tikhon’s destinations was North America, where the preaching activities of the new bishop brought many people into the fold of the Orthodox Church. After returning to Russia, Tikhon distinguished himself in Yaroslavl, becoming an honorary resident of the city, and was then evacuated to Moscow during the First World War. Constant concern for believers makes the personality of the saint more and more revered and leads him to his election as Patriarch of All Russia in August 1917. After the fall of the monarchy and the establishment of the power of the proletariat, Tikhon expresses concern about the situation in the state and condemns the bloody riots. Trying to stay away from the political turmoil of his time, the saint still calls on Russians to resist Kaiser Germany, and then condemns the signing of a separate peace treaty with the enemy. The unity of the Orthodox Church and adherence to conciliar principles become Tikhon’s main concern. He carries out active church activities, performing divine services every two to three days during the seven years of his patriarchate. By condemning the new government, the patriarch incurs disfavor and is taken into custody. After his release, the saint sadly faces the consequences of the destructive actions of the schismatic-renovationists and the general confusion of the Orthodox flock. The main meaning of Tikhon’s message was the statement that the Church cannot be neither white nor red, that its purpose is the unity and holiness of the faith. At the end of 1924, the patriarch’s health deteriorated sharply. The conclusion of his death was death from heart failure, but at the same time there were rumors about his possible poisoning. The last words of the saint were a prophecy about a long, dark night that covered the Russian Orthodox Church. The contribution of St. Tikhon to preserving the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church was appreciated at the end of the 20th century, when special days of his veneration were established.

Memorial Day of St. Innocent, Bishop of Irkutsk

The Holy Church celebrates the day of remembrance of the Hieromartyr Pankratius, Bishop of Tauromenia on February 22 and July 22. The Hieromartyr is one of the early Christian saints, who in his youth was fortunate enough to see the Savior Christ during his earthly life. The parents of the future Bishop of Tauromenia lived in Antioch, but decided to visit Jerusalem when they heard about a miracle-working preacher named Jesus. Upon arrival in the holy city, Father Pankraty believed in Christ as the son of God, and met his closest disciples, including the Apostle Peter. Pankraty grew up next to his family, learned about the Resurrection of the Lord and was baptized. After the death of his parents, the young man commits a strange act for those around him; he renounces the family estate and becomes a hermit living in the desert. There he is met by Peter, bringing the word of God to the people. Pancratius began to accompany the apostle and soon, by the decision of Peter, he became the bishop of the Sicilian city of Tauromenia. Upon arrival in Sicily, the miraculous deeds of Pancratius begin. When he appeared, pagan temples began to collapse on their own, stone idols crumbled into pieces, and ailments were healed. Residents of the city, listening to the bishop's sermons, converted to Christianity, and soon almost the entire city was baptized. But hostile pagans lived around Tauromenia. They were outraged by the activities of the Bishop of Tauromenia, and they decided to go to war against Christians. Pankratiy, as best he could, strengthened the spirit of his flock and alone went out to the enemy with faith in his heart and a cross in his hand. Turmoil began in the ranks of the attackers, the pagans began to fight each other, cut and stab their like-minded people. But when they came to their senses and realized who they were fighting with, their eyes seemed to see clearly. The survivors approached the saint with a request to baptize them. After what happened, the glory of the Bishop of Tauromenia spread even further; every believer in the city was proud of his bishop. But the pagans did not forget about their shame; they waylaid Pankratius and stoned him to death. The martyrdom of Pankratius ended his earthly life, which became a shining example of true faith. The holy relics of the martyr are kept in Rome, representing a wonderful source of help for good Christians. In folk tradition, the day of remembrance of Pankratius was not marked with any special celebration, because winter supplies were already running out. The peasants were engaged in ordinary chores, for example, weaving bast shoes, and noticed special weather signs of this day: - The frosty week after February 22 foreshadowed a warm March. - A sign of snowfall was a crimson sunset. - Dark nights without stars spoke of the imminent end of winter. - Forest noise and sticking snow also indicated warming.

Memorial Day of the Martyr Nikephoros of Antioch