On January 10, a rather unusual holiday is celebrated in different parts of the world - the Day of Peculiar People. Who are they and how to join their ranks? Contrary to popular misconceptions, human progress has always been achieved by people who thought outside the box - not the way the masses do. To come up with something new and destroy what others have long been accustomed to believing in, you need to have courage and a unique talent - the ability to look at things from a different angle. Almost all inventors and discoverers can be classified as unique people. They often had to make great sacrifices in order to change the world. Italian physicist, philosopher and astronomer Galileo Galileo was forced to renounce his theory that the earth rotates on its axis. Another Italian named Giordano Bruno actually paid with his life for believing in the heliocentric system. Then they were considered heretics and madmen, but today they are considered geniuses. Who came up with a holiday dedicated to peculiar people? Why does madness so often go hand in hand with genius? Peculiar people create their own theories, destroy conventions and turn the world upside down. To become one of them, it is not enough to simply stubbornly insist that 2x2 = 5 or the Earth is actually flat. Any theory that in the future will change humanity’s view of its own world must have a serious scientific basis. Contemporaries often called geniuses crazy, and in some ways they were right. The great philosopher Democritus wrote that it is madness that gives birth to unique poets, and Aristotle believed that it also gives a person unlimited possibilities. Stendhal ironically noted that the biography of great people should be written by their doctors. Peculiar people are abnormal. And there is no insult in this. They violate generally accepted norms, and their beliefs undermine those immutable truths that the rest of the world has believed in for centuries, and sometimes even millennia. Such an amazing person was the English physicist, mathematician, astronomer and mechanic Isaac Newton, who became the founder of classical physics. Such people include Albert Einstein, who developed the basis for theoretical physics. Stephen Hawking can also be called a peculiar person, who, if he did not make a revolution, at least shook up the sleepy world of science. According to the most common version, the idea of ​​celebrating the Day of Peculiar People belongs to John Banyard, who founded it back in 1838 in Essex, England. He was born in 1800 into the family of a simple worker who was engaged in agricultural activities. John believed that the globe was rotated by peculiar people who were able to see what many did not notice. The founder of the holiday was firmly convinced that all significant changes are made precisely by such geniuses who refused to blindly believe, were in constant search for answers, found them and were not afraid to go against the whole society in order to prove their own rightness. The history of mankind was made with their hands. They destroyed the old and built a new one on its ruins. Peculiar people do not tolerate rules and regulations. They always choose something that goes beyond the concept of “normal.” Today this holiday has a slightly different meaning. Nowadays, the ability to think outside the box has become a cherished dream for many. People are frantically buying literature, which, according to the assurances in the annotations, should teach them to “think differently” and become “not like everyone else.” In fact, only a few have this ability, and this has always been the case. The only difference is that in our time creativity is encouraged and elevated to an unhealthy cult. Every second person is haunted by the laurels of unique geniuses capable of great things. Those who can truly change this world are lost in the gray mass of mediocrity. To be different from the rest today, it is enough to simply remain true to yourself and not change under the pressure of fashion, not to follow the lead of the herd instinct. Come up with something original. It would be wrong to give advice on celebrating such an “abnormal” day, because it goes against its key idea. Some people recommend dying your hair green or going for a walk in an extravagant outfit, but your hair color or outrageous clothes won't make the world go round faster. This day could be devoted to studying the stories of those very unique people who changed their reality and had a serious impact on you and me. You can find like-minded people and get together, and you will find topics for lively conversations.

League of Nations Day is celebrated on January 10, since it was on this day in 1920 that the Treaty of Versailles came into force, which included the Pact of the League of Nations. The treaty formalized the end of World War I, but also had some controversial consequences. As a result of the agreements of the signatories, new national states emerged, most of which still exist today. But often their boundaries were determined arbitrarily, without specific grounds in the form of any expediency. This became a “time bomb” that contributed to local armed conflicts in the future. The League of Nations was the first world organization whose stated purpose was to preserve peace, as well as develop cooperation between different states. Formally, the day of its founding was January 10, 1920, i.e., the day the Pact came into force. This organization embodied projects that existed before the First World War, but had not previously been implemented in practice. In addition to preserving peace, she pursued the goal of improving people's living conditions. Almost all 65 large states that existed as of 1920 were members of the League of Nations, at one time or another. The exceptions were the United States and Saudi Arabia, founded only in 1932. The Charter (Covenant) of the League of Nations determined the measures that the contracting parties were obliged to observe to maintain peace: • reduction and further limitation of armaments; • obligations of member states to promptly resist any aggression, oppose it, and not resort to war; • adherence to mutual agreements on arbitration, as well as legal settlement of emerging problems; • mutual actions on the use of economic or military sanctions;• obligations of the signatories to maintain, in full publicity, international relations based on honor and justice. During its existence, the League of Nations managed to more or less successfully resolve more than forty different political conflicts. But there were also outright failures of the organization. These include an attempt to influence Japan in 1931, which carried out an attack on Manchuria. The League also showed even greater impotence during Italy's aggression against Ethiopia in 1935, especially since both countries were members of the organization. Shortly after the invasion of Ethiopia began, economic sanctions were imposed on Italy. In particular, a ban on the supply of weapons and certain types of strategic raw materials to the country. At the same time, the ban did not apply to metal, oil and coal, and also did not prevent Italy from purchasing everything it needed through the mediation of third countries. Potential aggressors thus saw firsthand the weakness of the chosen mechanism for using force. The organization's failures in resolving military-political issues compromised it. But the League of Nations also had serious achievements in the humanitarian and social fields. Such successes include: • establishing greater control over the spread of opium; • effectively combating the slave trade; • taking measures to protect the interests and rights of youth; • coordinating the actions of international organizations. The cessation of the League of Nations is associated with the emergence of another international body - the United Nations. By January 1940, the League had ceased to be involved in resolving political issues. And at the last session of its Assembly in 1946, it was decided that the property and material assets of the organization would be transferred to the UN.

The tradition of honoring ship engineers serving steam engines of the Maritime Department once a year appeared in 1855 thanks to the decree of Nicholas I. The Russian Emperor determined the staff and tables of ranks, the salary of mechanics of the Corps of two fleets - the Baltic and the Black Sea, and the conditions for their transition from rank to rank

New Year's holidays are associated with the aromas of spruce and tangerines, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger. The smells of spices, which are put into baked goods, added to mulled wine and cocoa, hang in the air, creating an upbeat and solemn mood. Thanks to ginger, which the British were the first to use in gingerbread, Christmas delicacies exude a slightly pungent but pleasant aroma. According to another version, the tradition of putting the grated root of the plant Zīngiber officināle into baked goods was brought from Byzantium to Paris by the monk Gregory Makar. So in the 1st century AD. Pain d'épices appeared - French sweet bread with honey, anise and other spices. Following the bakers of Great Britain, the Germans began to use grated ginger root for baking. Since the 1600s The “gingerbread capital of the world” is considered to be Nuremberg, which stood at the intersection of trade routes along which oriental spices were delivered from Asia to Europe. It was no coincidence that the city received its unofficial title. Wild honey-producing bees have long lived in the forests around Nuremberg. Local bakers added it to the dough along with ginger, candied fruits and nuts. With their unique composition, Nuremberg gingerbread and cookies, which are still made according to old recipes, are fundamentally different from other baked goods. The settlers who sailed to North America on ships brought with them cultural traditions, incl. - celebration of the Nativity of Christ and other Catholic celebrations. Therefore, today in the USA and Canada, starting from the end of November, Gingerbread Man gingerbread cookies are baked and sold in stores and at fairs in the shape of men, in the form of bells, houses, cones and stars. They are not only eaten, but also decorated on Christmas trees. Thanks to ginger, baked goods are stored for a long time, and the smell of pine needles is mixed with the aroma of spices, creating a cozy atmosphere in the house. In Rus', honey and berry juice have long been put into gingerbread cookies. Ginger and other spices began to be added to dough made from rye flour in the 13th century. thanks to the merchants who brought these goods from the East. This “bake” did not lose its taste for 3-4 months and was stored for up to a year. Gingerbread was considered an integral part of weddings, Forgiveness Sunday and Christmas. They were given as gifts to relatives and friends, and baked goods weighing from 2 to 5 kg were presented to superiors and officials. Gingerbread weighing 2-3 pounds (32-48 kg), made for the holiday for the royal family, was delivered to the palace on two sleighs. The recipe for this delicacy is present in many national cuisines today. Gingerbread's birthday is a great occasion to show off your culinary talent to others. Therefore, on January 10, housewives cast a spell by kneading dough, to which they add cinnamon, coriander, cloves, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg and other spices. The main ingredient in baked goods of any shape and size on this day is ginger. Gingerbread cookies with patterns made from protein glaze are served and presented in beautiful packaging as a gift; they are used to make decorations for Christmas trees and other holiday decor.

Birds of prey of the order Sphenisciformes, which, unlike their fellows, cannot fly, attract attention with the unusual coloring of their plumage, reminiscent of a tailcoat and a white shirtfront. Penguins live in the cold waters of Antarctica and are found off the coast of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Peru and Ecuador. Friendly creatures make good contact with people, so they feel great living in a zoo. The ability of penguins to survive in harsh climates and communication by transmitting unusual sound signals, fidelity to their partners and active care for growing offspring are of interest to the scientific community and ordinary people. The funny waddle and slowness of birds is an inexhaustible source of Internet memes and jokes. With a crest and yellow beak, a white belly and a grayish-blue back that fades to black, the cute ones are depicted in paintings, children's drawings and Christmas cards. The Pittsburgh Penguins hockey club from Pennsylvania and the English publishing house Penguin Books are named after the charming predators. Penguins are popular characters in Disney cartoons and dance numbers for New Year's parties in kindergartens. Unlike other productions, parents easily solve the problem of finding costumes for their children. It is enough to dress the kids in white shirts, black vests and jackets, complementing the created image with a bow tie and gloves. January 20th is International Penguin Awareness Day. Another celebration dedicated to them is celebrated 10 days earlier. Some joker decided to pay attention to the unusual gait and habits of the Arctic inhabitants and established a funny Penguin Dance Training Day. On January 10, everyone who wants to have fun and spend time profitably goes to master classes at Dance Clubs and other institutions. There, under the guidance of experienced choreographers, adults and children learn penguin dances, which you need to know a little more about than shown in the cartoons "Elka" and "Madagascar". The basis of rhythmic movements to music is the imitation of the plasticity of these funny abodes of Antarctica. The position of the birds' bodies in space is determined by the conditions of their existence and way of life. To reduce water resistance, a swimming penguin diving in search of food keeps its head tucked into its shoulders. The average running speed of birds is 4-6 km/h. Penguins have short legs and a streamlined body shape to push off the ice and not fall on a slippery surface. They move flat on loose snow, pushing off with their wings and paws. In this case, the penguins' gliding speed increases to 25 km/h. This knowledge allows you to easily begin to imitate the movements of birds to lively music. Penguin Dance Training Day is celebrated so cheerfully and naturally in a cheerful company of like-minded people.

National Guard Day of Kazakhstan is a professional holiday of military personnel in the republic. The first guardsmen appeared in the country on March 16, 1992. It was on this date that the country's Republican Guard was created. This is an independent formation within the structure of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. The corresponding order was signed by Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev. Also this year, the emblem of the type of troops in question was established. The Ministry of Defense has approved that guardsmen must maintain a post at the eternal flames not on the territory of the country. They also guard critical government facilities. The requirements for which a serviceman can become a guardsman were approved. So why is this holiday celebrated today on January 10? Serious changes took place in 2015. It was on this day that the president signed the law “On the National Guard.” Since then, this particular date has become a landmark for Kazakhstan. Why is this holiday considered so popular? This is due to the fact that the National Guard is one of the most privileged units in the country's Armed Forces. Employees take part in many military ceremonies and rituals. This unit first appeared in the village of Krasny, in the Almaty region. The National Guard arose as a separate unit of the best fighters of the Internal Troops. They were needed to maintain law and order in the country. Every year on January 10, various patriotic events are held. In particular, the Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan makes his solemn address. He makes sure to emphasize that the National Guard is the elite of the country's armed forces. A parade is held in Nur-Sultan, at which the guards receive congratulations. They receive weapons and dress in full dress uniform. There is also a concert of military-patriotic songs. Creative detachments of guardsmen take part in it. This is a professional team that can hold gala concerts at the largest venues in the country. Since 2008, the concept of celebration has changed significantly. Now the Ministry of Defense is choosing a motto for this special day. And almost all festive events are held under a certain theme. For example, the guardsmen have already staged theatrical performances dedicated to: • Great Patriotic War; • 750th anniversary of the Golden Horde; • 25th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic. Exhibitions are organized before the start of the ceremonial events. They show in print and digital form what successes the guards have achieved in achieving law and order in the country. Soloists of a male choir, a folk group, and a dance group must take part in the gala concert.

Day number 110 in Japan

On January 10 (December 28, old style), according to the folk calendar, Household Day is celebrated, also called Christmas Meat Eater. The day takes its name from the opportunity to eat meat dishes, because until Christmas Eve (the holy evening before Christmas) people kept a strict fast. The period of eating meat began three days after Christmas and lasted until Maslenitsa. By this time, livestock and poultry were being slaughtered, sausages, lard, jelly and other dishes were being prepared. Pork was considered an obligatory dish. On Friday and Wednesday they avoided eating meat and fasted. Matchmaking couples were looking forward to the Christmas Meat-Eater, since during its period it was possible to have a wedding and set a large hearty table. Boys in Rus' were allowed to get married at the age of 15, girls to get married at 12, therefore, having found a match for their child, the boy’s parents sent matchmakers to the girl’s parents. Within a few weeks of the Meat Eater, all interested couples had time to celebrate their wedding and have fun. Households' day is named for family gatherings. Parents and children did all the housework together: cleaning, lighting the stove, preparing food. Afterwards they gathered at a common table, had a meal, talked, and remembered their ancestors. It was forbidden to swear and argue on Household Day. To avoid family scandals, a ritual was carried out: the youngest member of the family salted the prepared food and read out the spells. On Domochadtsev day, folk festivities, games, carols, fairs, and maiden fortune-telling continued. On the eve of Household Day, stakes were driven into the highest mountain in the village. And in the morning, people took turns coming up to them and tying a long piece of paper, making a wish. People learned the weather by observing signs. If everything around was covered with frost or it was snowing, a summer with frequent rains was expected. Large flakes of snow meant a thaw. Warmth was also predicted by sparrows chirping near the house. If the dog lies down on the snow and does not hide in the kennel, it means that a blizzard is approaching.

Orthodox holidays January 10:

On December 28, old style, or January 10, new style, parishioners of Eastern churches commemorate the memory of 20,000 holy martyrs. Their names are known: Zinon, Theophilus, Glycerius, Dorotheus, Migdonius, Mardonius, Indis, Peter, Gorgonius, Secundus, Agathia, Nicostratus, Domna, Antonia and others. Many emperors of Ancient Rome are known to us for their iron will and callousness. Particularly prominent among them are those who in every possible way showed society their rejection of the Christian worldview. Such was the Emperor Maximilian Herculius, who ruled the Roman Empire from 285 to 305 AD. He began to implement his policy of persecuting Christians in 393 AD. By order of this ruler, activities were launched, the purpose of which was the destruction of Christian churches, the destruction of liturgical literature and the persecution of church parishioners (deprivation of positions and rights, confiscation of property, and so on). Nevertheless, thanks to Saint Cyril, the former bishop of the city of Nicomedia, and his piety, even among the dignitaries of the Roman ruler there were many Christians. Being a zealous pagan, in whose house not only sacrifices were made, but also the priestess Dobna lived, Maximilian persistently and quite successfully pursued his policy. But when the emperor was not at home, the priestess read the Epistles of the Apostle Paul and the Acts of the Apostles. These books aroused her interest in Christian doctrine. After a short time, one of the Christian women advised her to go and talk to Bishop Kirill. She did so, taking the eunuch Indis with her as her faithful friend. The bishop not only received guests and answered their questions, but also baptized the pagans, which changed the future life of the priestess and eunuch. A couple of Christian converts were helping those in need. But the chief of the eunuchs found out about this help, and ordered the girl and the boy to be imprisoned and deprived of food. However, Indis and Domna, strengthened and guarded by the Angels, did not die and after some time were released. Not wanting to return to the past, the former priestess achieved exile by pretending to be insane. Having reached the women's monastery, Domna was dressed by Abbess Agafya in men's clothing, cut her hair and blessed for her further journey. The soldiers sent to search for the couple returned without results, but still destroyed the monastery, threw the nuns behind bars and tortured them there. One day, Maximilian decided to make a bloody sacrifice to his gods in the city square. Having learned that the participants in the ritual were going to sprinkle the blood of killed animals on those present, the believers in Christ began to hastily leave, which infuriated the Roman ruler. Entering the Christian church, he demanded that those gathered renounce Christ. If they refuse, they will be burned alive along with the temple. Presbyter Glykeria and the people present in the church refused to do this. The enraged ruler put Glykeria on trial, but even terrible torture and a sentence of burning did not force the clergyman to renounce his faith. The public execution was scheduled for Christmas Day. On this bright holiday, about 20,000 believers gathered in the Nicomedia Christian Cathedral. The herald sent there conveyed the ruler’s order: everyone should go out and make a sacrifice to the idol gods, otherwise the temple would be burned along with the people. The parishioners refused to carry out the will of the emperor. The soldiers began to prepare to burn the church, and Bishop Anfim, who performed the service, announced and baptized everyone in the church, after which he communed them with the Holy Mystery of Christ. Thus, all those who died did not die as pagans, but as Christians.

Memorial Day of St. Apostle Nikanor