January 3 is an unusual date celebrated all over the world. This day is dedicated to cocktail straws. Initially, such devices were made from straw, which is how their name arose. Later, artificial straws began to be used, the creator of which was US businessman Marvin Stone. According to legend, one day he was working in his office and drinking a cocktail through a rye straw. At some point, its individual fibers disintegrated and got stuck in the entrepreneur’s mouth. Then he took a strip of paper, applied glue to one edge of it and wound it in a spiral around a pencil, thus creating a tube that was more convenient for drinking. Although this had to be done quite quickly, because the paper soon became wet and lost its shape. Marvin decided to improve his design when he accidentally saw a stamp for envelopes (in those years they were made from manila paper, which made them very durable). It was from this material that Stone began making tubes. At the same time, he used a diameter that did not allow lemon seeds to pass through. On January 3, 1888, the businessman filed a patent for his invention. The second step in the evolution of straws occurred in the mid-30s of the 20th century, when Joseph Friedman, a realtor by profession, decided to continue transforming the straw by inventing a corrugated part that allows it to be bent for maximum comfort of use. In the fall of 1937, he patented the invention. Despite this, none of the manufacturers were interested in the new product. After all attempts to implement his invention ended in failure, Friedman decided to manufacture them personally. He came up with a unique technology that facilitates mass production of this type of straw. Subsequently, he was able to bring the product to market. A couple of years later, Friedman opened the Flexible Straw Corporation company to create “flexible straws” and launched their mass production. After 10 years, this business turned Joseph into a real millionaire. The very first, besides cafes and pubs, to appreciate the development were medical institutions. Convenient straws made it possible to give water to bedridden patients without spilling water or using glass straws, which required regular sterilization. Besides, they could break at any moment. Since that time, flexible tubes have remained virtually unchanged. Now straws are a fairly common accessory in everyday life. Millions of people around the world use them every day. Modern products come in different shapes and shades. At the same time, straws are used not only for consuming a variety of drinks. They are also often used by creative individuals when creating all kinds of compositions and crafts.

Many researchers and ordinary people are interested in the history and culture of the ancient Slavs. There are many holidays marked in the Slavic calendar. One of the important Slavic holidays is the Day of Remembrance of Princess Olga, which is traditionally celebrated on January 3. On this day, the Slavs did not celebrate or have fun. It was customary to gather around the table and remember the deeds of Grand Duchess Olga, who was a very wise ruler and strengthened power in Rus'. Very little information about Olga’s origins has been preserved in the chronicles. Some historians claim that she was from Izborsk, while others insist that the princess’s homeland is Pskov. Most researchers believe that Olga was the daughter of ordinary people and had to work hard as a ferryman on the river. Prince Igor met the future princess at the crossing. He was hunting in those places and needed to move to the other side. Igor saw nearby the young man who was driving the boat and ordered him to be transported to the other side. In the boat, the young prince saw that the carrier was not a young man at all, but a beautiful and sophisticated girl. Igor expressed his immodest desires, but the beauty rejected such signs of attention, saying that she would rather drown herself than allow herself to be mocked. After this incident, the prince could not forget the young girl who then happened to be next to him at the crossing, she was beautiful, brave and prudent. After some time, Igor chose her as his wife. So Olga became a young princess. They lived together for 42 years. Then great grief came to the princely family. Prince Igor was killed by the Drevlyans, who assumed that in this way they would get rid of their problems and obligations to the dynasty. After the murder of Igor, the Drevlyans wanted to gain power and demanded that Olga agree to marry the Dlevlyan prince Mal. The Drevlyans tried to peacefully resolve the conflict and sent envoys to negotiate. The princess lured the ambassadors into a trap and brutally dealt with them. Some were buried alive, the rest were burned in the bathhouse, which was set on fire on Olga's orders. After this, the princess went to the village of the Drevlyans to hold a wake at her husband’s grave. All residents of the village were invited there, including Igor’s killers. The warriors gave the 5,000 Drevlyans who came to drink, after which they killed them with sharp swords. Olga continued her insidious and merciless revenge for the death of her husband. About a year after the funeral, the princess arrived to the Drevlyans with her son. The Russian army besieged the city of Iskorosten. The princess demanded that a tribute be brought from each courtyard - pigeons and sparrows. After this, smoldering coals were tied to the paws of the brought birds, and the birds were released back to the city, which soon caught fire. Some residents of Iskorosten were enslaved by the warriors, some of the Drevlyans were killed, and the rest were subjected to a huge tribute. Olga managed to significantly strengthen the power of Kyiv. It is believed that her reign was better than that of Igor. In domestic politics, Olga sought greater subordination of the Slavic tribes. The princess established fixed tribute amounts and organized graveyards. Olga also contributed to the spread of Christianity in Rus'. During her baptism, she managed to outwit the Byzantine emperor, who wanted to marry her. During the reign of her grandson Yaropolk, Olga began to be revered as a saint.

Celebrating the New Year takes a lot of strength and energy. In addition to the traditional overeating at a generously set table, many people experience lack of sleep. For several days we take part in an endless marathon - preparing for the holiday, visiting friends and relatives, setting off fireworks... These and other important things leave no time for rest. Don't rush to suppress your yawning and fight the spell of Morpheus in the first days of the new year! On January 3, the Sleepy Day Festival is celebrated, which is designed to help the body catch up. Taking a nap during daylight hours is just as beneficial as taking a nap at night. During the Festival of Sleep Day, you can and should sleep, devoting any amount of time to this important process. A good rest in the arms of Morpheus helps restore physical strength and mental balance. Lack of sleep has a bad effect on appearance, especially for women, for whom it is especially important to maintain their beauty and attractiveness. An employee who yawns at work causes dissatisfaction among colleagues and superiors: it is not clear whether he did not rest enough at night, or whether the person is not interested in work and treats it carelessly. Sleep is the key to health and longevity. It not only regulates biological rhythms, but also regulates other processes and phenomena. The body perceives lack of sleep as stress, which it tries to compensate for by receiving additional energy, often through food. Hunger in those who do not rest within the allotted 7-8 hours at night is associated with an increase in endocannabinoid levels. This compound from the class of neurotransmitters, which transmits signals between nerve cells, causes increased appetite - we are drawn to sweet, salty and fried foods. That's why the Sleepy Day Holiday is so necessary on January 3 - the body needs rest after New Year's overeating, and not an additional amount of food. A girl has the right to suspect a young man who yawns during a date of lack of interest in her. Therefore, lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your personal life. Road accidents regularly occur due to drivers who doze off at the wheel. Lack of sleep leads to decreased concentration and reactions - the main cause of accidents. Festival of Sleep Day was invented by residents of the USA. What are the traditions of this funny holiday? On January 3, it is recommended not to jump up in the morning, but to soak in bed longer after waking up. You can keep your pajamas on and walk around the house in them all day. In honor of the Sleepy Day Festival, it is customary to relax and take a nap during the day for your pleasure. If you follow all these recommendations, you will be provided with a boost of vivacity and good mood for a long time. After all, Christmas and Old New Year are still ahead...

January 3 is the Day of Bengal sparks and garland lights, which adults and children love so much. The tradition of celebrating important events with the help of bright flames and sparks originated in Bengal. It is believed that in this region (now part of India, and partly in Bangladesh) in the 5th century, fire was used by priests to perform rituals. It was the priests who knew many secrets of how to make the whole action as effective as possible. This was necessary not to create an attractive festive setting, but to convince the public that the priests had special knowledge, having received it from the deities. For a long time their skills were kept secret. In order to combine fire with noise, people added chemicals to the composition, for example, crushed iron, etc. Interest in such a spectacular action was great, so it is not surprising that, despite the efforts of the priests, the tradition of lighting sparklers soon spread throughout the world and became associated with not with a religious event, but with a holiday. Subsequently, European merchants, traveling along the trade route from India, borrowed this novelty, which took root in Europe. Perhaps Europeans appreciated the beauty and power of sparklers to an even greater extent than the residents of Asia themselves. And all because Europeans were very fond of masquerades, carnivals and other mass entertainment. This means that they immediately liked the accompaniment of the celebrations with a bright fiery action. Before that, they used ordinary candles, which, of course, could not compare in their effect with spectacular sparkles. The Russian Tsar Peter I, who favored amazing overseas innovations, was also very interested in the idea. It was from his instigation that in the 18th century the idea of ​​lighting sparklers on special festive occasions spread throughout the country. Although we must pay tribute to our Slavic ancestors, who even before Peter had something similar in their arsenal. They noticed that there is a grass called moss grass, amazing in its properties, which is unremarkable at first glance. However, when dried, it flares up quickly, almost instantly, flaring up massively, and then goes out. In this case, the smoke does not even have time to form, since the grass burns in short but bright flashes. Yes, in terms of entertainment, the Slavic club moss was not inferior to the Bengal sparklers. And in order to add crackling and noise, the grass was sprinkled with dried birch leaves before setting it on fire. The effect of such an action was almost identical to Bengal sparks. Today, sparklers and garland lights are already strongly associated with the holiday in almost all regions of the world. In Arab countries, Europe, South and North America and, of course, in the homeland of sparks in India, it is impossible to imagine a holiday without this amazing show. Often it is sparks and lights that create the appropriate surroundings. We must pay tribute that Thomas Edison also did a lot of work, significantly improving the action. If our distant ancestors are responsible for sparklers, then we should thank Edison, the inventor of electricity, for garland lights. It was he who celebrated the arrival of Christmas with special pomp at the end of the 19th century by decorating the Christmas tree in front of the house with a homemade electric garland. The local public gathered for this event, including a large number of journalists, who enthusiastically accepted the invention of the brilliant Edison. Sparklers and String Lights Day is celebrated in many different ways today, but it is certainly associated with fun. Wherever it is necessary to create an appropriate festive atmosphere, it would be appropriate to use bright Bengal sparkles and garlands pleasantly shimmering with light.

A person’s physical condition largely depends on the harmony and balance of the inner world. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates believed that patients could be prevented from getting sick by changing their habits and lifestyle. “Mens sana in corpore sano,” declared Decimus Junius Juvenal. This catchphrase, which is translated from Latin as “A healthy mind in a healthy body!”, was used in the USSR to promote a healthy lifestyle among Soviet citizens. In the 20th century scientists have concluded that many pathologies arise due to malfunctions of the central nervous system and psychological problems. Therefore, the saying “All diseases come from nerves” has become very popular. American psychologist Louise Hay found evidence of the psychosomatic nature of most ailments. For good health, the physical state of the body and the inner world of a person must be in harmony. In order to popularize this vital attitude, January 3 is celebrated as International Day for Healthy Mind and Body. International Mind-Body Wellness Day traditions include the use of various practices aimed at improving well-being through meditation, yoga and breathing exercises. All of them help reduce stress levels and mental tension, and achieve physical relaxation through relaxation. Human health is based on the inextricable connection between body and soul, the influence of positive attitudes on the condition and functioning of the body. Therefore, optimists have stronger immunity, get sick less and live an order of magnitude longer than pessimists. The way you think affects your health and even your destiny. Achieving your goals depends on psychological attitudes and self-confidence. But no matter how grandiose the plans are, they are often not destined to come true if a person does not take good care of his health. International Mind-Body Wellness Day encourages you to pay attention to your physical and mental state not only on January 3, but to make this a rule throughout your life. The French writer Romain Roland argued that health is as contagious as disease. A person who has achieved inner harmony, plays sports and eats right becomes a guide for those who are just planning to start taking care of their well-being. A good example is contagious. Show others your excellent health, mental balance, strength of spirit and clarity of mind! Let as many people as possible join the holiday held annually on January 3rd. Become a promoter of healthy lifestyle and a role model in honor of the International Day of Healthy Mind and Body.

The statements of emperors and generals, writers, poets and philosophers of Ancient Rome are included in the world treasury of popular expressions and wise thoughts. Dum spiro, spero (“While I breathe, I hope”), Sic transit gloria mundi (“This is how worldly glory passes”), Fortes fortuna adiuvat (“Fate helps the brave”) and other aphorisms are among the most quoted in oral and written speech. The popular expressions of the Latins have not lost their relevance today. Modern people, like thousands of years ago, are concerned about issues of morality, the justice of the world order and the finitude of all things. Memento mori ("Remember Death") was used to greet Roman soldiers returning from battle. During the procession through the streets of the city, behind the commander, who returned in triumph, walked a slave, who periodically reminded the commander that nothing lasts forever. Memento mortis tua et non peccabis (“Remember your death and do not sin”) - in this form the expression is found in the 4th century texts belonging to Jerome of Stridon, the creator of the canonical texts of the Bible. As Christianity developed, the mention of the finitude of existence acquired a different meaning and led to the formation of the cult of the dead body. From the end of the 18th century. Memento mori began to be used as a greeting by Catholic monks of the Trappist order, who were distinguished by extreme asceticism and hard work. In Christianity, a respectful attitude towards death, which became iconic after the feat of Jesus Christ, is reflected in the veneration of the relics of the righteous and taking communion (eating bread and wine, symbolizing the flesh and blood of the Savior). The main religious symbol - Jesus crucified on the cross - is also a demonstration of the cult of the dead. Catholics and Orthodox Christians venerate both the mummified remains of saints and their incorruptible bodies. The thoughts that come to mind after realizing the deep philosophical meaning of the phrase “Memento mori” awaken compassion and sensitivity in people, force them to show empathy and become responsive to the troubles of others. Understanding the finitude of all things that exist on Earth contributes to caring for nature and the entire planet as a whole. Awareness of inevitable mortality helps a person begin to appreciate every day of his life, to be thoughtful and critical of his actions and words. Not each of us is ready to accept the fact that sooner or later he will go to another world. Holidays that make fun of death - for example, Halloween or the Mexican Dia de Muertos - help reduce the intensity of the understanding of the inevitability of the ending. These include Remember You Die Day, celebrated on January 3 under the motto “Memento mori!”

Both men and women have contributed equally to the development of popular genres of modern music. The names of famous producers, composers and performers have been included annually in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1986. Along with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Buddy Holly, it features Aretha Franklin, Ruth Brown, Carol Kay, Janis Joplin and Sister Rosetta Trap, who had a major influence on the music industry. Women in Rock and Roll Day is designed to pay tribute to their singing and virtuoso playing of guitar, drums and phono. For the first time Women Rock! Fans of the genre celebrated Day in 1987 in honor of the appearance in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of the name of the “Queen of Soul” - the black Aretha Franklin, who also performed songs in the style of gospel and rhythm and blues. This event became a landmark for the rock industry, which has traditionally been dominated by men. The establishment of Women's Day is a natural result of many years of struggle against discrimination and sexism inherent in the rock and roll movement of the mid-twentieth century. The holiday, originally celebrated on January 3 in the United States, eventually became popular in other countries around the world. In honor of Women's Day, numerous festivals and concerts are held, which bring together like-minded people who claim that rock and roll is not only music, but a special worldview and lifestyle. Loud and rhythmic compositions perfectly correspond to the rebellious spirit of the representatives of the subculture. Rock fans admire the frantic energy, unbridled temperament and hooligan antics of the musicians, many of whom are women. The soul, blues and jazz singers have become living legends, touring with bands around the world for decades. Thus, the queen of rockabilly with extreme vocals, Wanda Jackson, whose star rose in 1954, still gives concerts and performs at festivals, despite her 86 years of age. Patti Smith, the famous “godmother of punk rock,” is not far behind her. At 76 years old, the singer and poetess actively tours the United States and other countries. Their names are present in the Hall of Fame, like dozens of other performers - style icons and world figures. Bold and strong-willed representatives of the fair sex filled the energetic and sometimes rough music with sensuality and depth. In honor of Women in Rock and Roll Day, fans are enjoying songs performed by Courtney Love, Grace Slick, Annie Lennox, Suzi Quatro, Debbie Harry and other singers who were part of the cult bands of the 60s-90s. These vocalists left an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll, filling it with new meanings and sounds. Women Rock was founded in honor of eccentric, freedom-loving and talented rebels! Day.

Prokopyev Day is celebrated according to the folk calendar on January 3 (December 21, old style). Its origin came from the church day of veneration of Blessed Procopius of Vyatka, a famous minister of the Assumption Monastery in the 17th century. Procopius grew up in a righteous Christian family. At the age of 12, he was struck by lightning while working in the fields. Having woken up from the blow, the boy had a clouding of his mind - he tore his clothes and walked naked. The patient’s parents sent the patient for healing to the Assumption Monastery in the Vyatka region, where he was read with prayers. But when they decided to force twenty-year-old Procopius into marriage, the young man ran away and became a monk in the Assumption Church, although his mind was again crippled. Procopius spent the rest of his life as a holy fool - he walked naked and took a vow of silence. All his thoughts and prayers were dedicated to the Lord, for which he awarded Procopius the gift of foresight. He helped people by predicting recovery or impending troubles. The holy fool also announced the date of his death. Prokopiev day was also popularly called “half-feeding”, since by this day the reserves in the bins were used up by half. The owners checked the grain in the storehouse, plugged up the mouse holes, and stirred the grain to prevent it from molding. When leaving, they placed two crossed sticks on the remaining supplies; such a talisman protected against evil spirits. The girls told fortunes on Prokopyev Day, collecting grain from the barn with a broom: how much they collected, so much happiness awaits them in the new year. Then they ground it and baked a cake from wheat flour, and made jelly from oatmeal. When making a wish, they ate what was prepared, believing that it would come true. So that fate would not bring misfortune to a person, on January 3, people were forbidden to perform certain actions. They avoided picking up things lost by others in order to preserve the property themselves. Eavesdropping and spying on someone was mirrored on the beholder. They kept their vows and wishes for health, avoiding illness. They checked the summer yield by listening to a hum in the barn; if it was heard, they expected a crop failure, silence - the opposite. The snow fields determined that the harvest would be rich. If the echo was heard throughout the entire area, people were preparing for severe frost. According to the day of Procopius, similar weather was predicted for September.

Remembrance Day for the Fighters of the War of Independence in Estonia

Orthodox holidays January 3:

Memorial Day of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', Wonderworker

Memorial Day of St. Blessed Procopius of Vyatka

Memorial Day of the Blessed Princess Juliania Vyazemskaya