The population on our planet is growing annually by approximately 90 million people. Such active growth has a negative impact on the environment, natural resources, level of education and well-being. In order to bring all these problems to people and prevent the destruction of the Earth, a population holiday was approved. In 1989, at the annual meeting of the UNEP (UN Program Governing Council) council, it approved the date of the annual celebration of World Population Day on July 11. The number was not chosen by chance; it was on this day in 1987 that the world's population reached 5 billion people. This date went down in history as the “Birthday of the Five Billionth Man.” The accelerated rate of demographic growth of the population could not be ignored, and the UN Council decided to establish a day through which it would be possible to draw attention to the problem of all humanity. This is not a holiday that is celebrated on a large scale, with festivities and fireworks. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the pressing problem of population. From 1960-2000, the number of people on Earth doubled; by 2017, this figure exceeded 7.5 billion. The population growth rate is 1.3%, with 95% of the number of newborns occurring in poor countries. All this ultimately leads to illiteracy, hunger and disease. According to forecasts, the world population will exceed 8 billion by 2023, and 9 billion by 2050, while 40% of this number will be residents of China and India. Unfortunately, our planet is simply not designed for such a number of inhabitants; the shortage of water and energy resources will also become sensitive for developed countries. A deficiency of these essential components for life will lead to wars, the extinction of some species of animals and plants, and ultimately to the possible death of civilization. The UN's mission is to monitor and help implement family planning programs. It is necessary to achieve an even distribution of the population, increase the birth rate in Europe, Russia, America and decrease it in third world countries. The growth of crime, illiteracy, poverty, all this will lead to the inevitable death of the world as we know it. Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully about this issue and approaching them wisely and competently. 1. On July 11, 1987, in Croatia (Zagreb), the five billionth inhabitant of the Earth was born, and the seven billionth was born on October 31, 2011. 2. The 2010 All-Russian Population Census showed that the population of Russia decreased by 2.2% over 8 years. 3. According to forecasts, by 2050 the population of Russia will be only 55 million people, while in China and India it will exceed 1.5 billion. And the total number of people on Earth will approach 11 billion. 4. The first census of Russian citizens took place in 1926, the results were published in 56 books. They provide data on employment, demographic statistics, income, level of education and health status. 5. Scientific study of population began in the 17th century AD; regular registration in Europe and America was established only in the 19th century, and in other countries in the 20th century. Every year this holiday is held under a certain slogan, “Access to reproductive health services”, “every person is important”, “population equality”, “investing in the new generation”. All these are not just words; everyone needs to move in this direction if you want to exist in a peaceful and developed world.

The authorship of the celebration of the sweetest day in the calendar belongs to the French. It was they who celebrated the chocolate celebration on a grand scale for the first time in 1995. And although they were not the pioneers of “chocolate happiness,” their long-term devoted love for the wonderful confectionery dessert is beyond doubt. Thus, back in the 18th century, about 500 establishments were opened in France, the menu of which included exclusively “chocolate items.” Then the baton of the holiday was picked up by Europeans and Americans. The average annual consumption rate of a US resident is more than 13 kilograms. According to one version, the chocolate drink was invented by the Aztecs. They consumed huge quantities of it - several cups a day. But we owe the large-scale planting of cocoa plantations to the Mexicans. However, neither one nor the other thought of adding sugar cane to the drink. Enterprising Spaniards began to add cinnamon and nutmeg to it and added sweetness to it. They kept their recipe in the strictest confidence for more than 50 years. However, smugglers established European channels and transported the miracle drink there. It was an unaffordable luxury due to the incredibly high price, so only aristocratic families could taste it. By order of Anne of Austria, boxes of cocoa beans were delivered to France, and a virtuoso chocolatier was hired. Noble ladies believed that chocolate was a powerful aphrodisiac. Madame Pompadour herself called it nothing less than a burning source of love passions. In the 16th century, Belgian pharmacists began to brew special medicinal chocolate. It included medicinal herbs, oils and flowers. The British were the first to produce traditional hard bars in the 1850s, while milk and white chocolate were invented by the Swiss. But the price for it was still prohibitively high, and only in the 20th century chocolate became available to wide social circles. In the Soviet Union, chocolate was condemned for a long time and was classified as a bourgeois dessert. The merchant Abrikosov managed to establish mass production, who came up with chocolate collections with images of famous artists, as well as sweets in funny wrappers, and the legendary chocolate Santa Clauses and hares. The first truly popular chocolate bar was “Alenka”. Chocolate ingredients promote relaxation and psychological release. They provoke the release of endorphins and dramatically improve mood. There is an opinion that chocolate slows down the aging process. Despite the calorie content, even nutritionists recommend it, albeit in moderation. In most countries, the expression “everything is chocolate” means that life is good, everything turned out in the best possible way. The taste of chocolate, due to the presence of a strong stimulant, phenamine, evokes an indescribable feeling, identical to falling in love. The most unusual is Chicago chocolate. There are varieties with the taste of hot pepper, bacon and mushrooms. Famous chocolatiers have unique skills - they are able to recognize more than 400 cocoa flavors. On Chocolate Day, sales of this delicious dessert increase significantly. On the holiday, it is customary to hold festivals, fairs, tastings, master classes, competitions with prizes and treats. Factories and confectionery shops organize open days, where they talk about the mysteries of making sweets and demonstrate how a “real miracle” is born from milk, cocoa and berry fillings. On this day, grandiose cocoa parties are often held with cascades of sweets, chocolate desserts and fondue. Girls are offered chocolate spa wraps, massages and baths. Themed parties and chocolate quests are organized for children with the search for treasures in the form of delicious gold coins. Another popular format is chocolate body art, when people paint each other with chocolate glaze and then hold a fashion show, where the jury awards models with the most interesting body art. In Russia, chocolate museums with locations in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Pokrov are becoming platforms for large-scale celebrations. In the Vladimir region, a grand opening of the chocolate monument even took place. Russians also host chocolate parties, fashion runways featuring chocolate-colored clothing, and “edible displays” featuring chocolate cities—extremely accurate sculptures of people, house models, and vehicles.

Surely few people know that July 11 is Light Artist Day. The holiday is not yet official, but every year it becomes more and more popular. Why July 11? Because the background to the emergence of the holiday is interesting. On July 11, 1874, Russian electrical engineer Alexander Lodygin received a patent for the invention of the incandescent lamp. Yes, yes, it was he, and not Edison, who became the so-called “father” of the incandescent lamp. Edison only contributed to bringing the invention to fruition. For his services to Russian science, Lodygin received the Lomonosov Prize, and the patent for the distribution of the device was updated in Western Europe. The invention immediately found application in our country - street lighting in the northern capital. The new product was wildly popular among the townspeople, who came for whole blocks to gawk and marvel at the “miracle of technology.” This was the first light show of its kind in those years. The profession of a light operator, or lighting artist, cannot be called “conspicuous” - its subtleties, unlike the results, are not visible. But in demand and money - perhaps. Lighting designers often receive salaries close to those of actors. Cinema and television, circus and theater, musicals and sports and entertainment shows - all the colorful splendor of these genres, perhaps even their very existence, is impossible without the participation of lighting artists. A prerequisite for this work is the ability to wield and control its main instrument - a light control panel. The set of basic - and by no means all - skills of a lighting operator includes: the art of correctly setting light, creating a color palette, programming complex light canvases, being aware of the operation of lighting devices of various modifications, and also having a good understanding of such exact sciences as physics and optics . In a word, create masterpieces on stage. That is why a lighting operator is also called a lighting designer. For an ordinary person, far from the intricacies of this profession, the behind-the-scenes work and skill of light operators - on the street or in the auditorium - is not visible; he simply enjoys the pleasant colors, pictures or action, without noticing the hard work carried out “behind the scenes”. But any unprofessionalism of a lighting designer immediately catches the eye: it prevents the actors from playing on stage with full dedication, and the audience from enjoying their performance and following the development of the action. So, skillful and professional lighting can often save the most disastrous performance or, on the contrary, turn a masterpiece into a mediocre spectacle.

Fragrant oils were used in Antiquity, Ancient Egypt, China, Persia and India. Plant extracts were used for embalming mummies, fumigating premises, conducting religious ceremonies, and creating cosmetics and medicinal products. Today, fragrant plant extracts are used, as they were thousands of years ago, to treat people - to improve the health of soul and body.

Remembrance Day for the victims of Srebrenica and all wars in Bosnia

According to the folk calendar, the nettle spell is celebrated on July 11 (June 28, old style). The holiday is dedicated to honoring nettles and goes back to the distant past, when paganism flourished in Rus', and the people worshiped plants, animals, and natural phenomena. Residents believed that the Nettle Spell was the last day of the year when nettle was full of healing properties; from the next day it brought significantly less benefits. Traditionally, on this day, housewives prepared cabbage soup from nettle leaves. The hot plant was also used as a filling in pies, its leaves were added to salads and hot dishes. And it is no coincidence, because nettle contains many useful substances. It was especially valued for vitamin C, which is so necessary to strengthen the body. Fabrics were often woven from nettles. The material turned out to be rough, but it was used to make bags, canvas, capes, blankets and rough clothing. Cables and cords were made from the toughest fibers, and the remains were used to insulate homes, like tow. Weavers at the Nettle Garden wove medicinal belts to help with back pain. It was believed that nettle tissue disperses blood throughout the body and cleanses it. Nettle was also used for medicinal purposes. We used leaves, stems, roots and seeds of nettle. Doctors prepared it in dry form and in the form of tinctures. It helped with bleeding, colds, stomach and skin diseases, rheumatism, and menstrual irregularities. Women used nettle infusions for beautiful hair and for acne. People believed that nettle was a strong talisman against evil spirits. Its branches were hung in rooms and hidden under the path at the threshold, as protection from evil spirits. To remove damage or the evil eye from household members, the home was fumigated with smoke from its leaves. They used a nettle broom to sweep the floors, thus driving out evil spirits. On the Nettle Spell, residents lit a bathhouse and took a steam bath. In the evening, guys and girls got together and walked all night. They lit fires, talked, played, sang and danced. It was the custom of young people to hide their faces under masks and try to recognize each other. The bravest ones went in search of the Peter's Cross plant, because they believed that whoever found it and could pull it out of the ground with its rhizome intact would be able to find the treasure and open it without difficulty. Noticing the silence in the forest during the Nettle Spread, the residents prepared for the impending rain. Heavy rainfall was also foreshadowed by a magpie hiding under the roof. The silent cuckoo announced the early onset of winter with frequent snow. The influx of water in the wells promised inclement weather.

Holidays in Belgium - Flemish Community Holiday

Orthodox holidays on July 11:

Transfer of the relics of the martyrs Cyrus and John

Memorial Day of Saints Sergius and Herman, Valaam Wonderworkers

Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “Three-Handed”