Every day, more than a dozen people are on the list of victims of sexual violence, and if this happens in a state where all civil and legal norms are observed, then they can count on the necessary protection and support. Unfortunately, the least protected victims on this list are victims of conflict-related sexual violence. Among them are hundreds and thousands of socially vulnerable women and children from countries where military and civil conflicts have lasted for years. Afghanistan, Congo, Syria, Mali, Iraq, Central Africa - and this is only a part of the countries where basic human rights are not consciously respected. Moreover, sexual violence has been and remains one of the hidden forms of warfare. On 19 June 2008, recognizing this problem, the Security Council condemned the use of sexual violence in areas involved in conflict. On June 19, 2015, the International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict was established, which was decided to be celebrated on June 19, since on this day the Security Council officially recognized this problem. The International Criminal Court, guided by the Rome Statute, classifies sexual violence in military conflict as: rape, forced prostitution or sexual slavery, forced pregnancy (sterilization, abortion, marriage). In some extremist groups operating in Syria and Iraq, members are promised sex slaves as rewards, and trafficking in women and girls is one of the sources of income for these groups. Such actions are today defined as a war crime, and in some cases may be considered genocide. Women and children have become “bargaining chips” in their wars; this should not be the case – these are the words of the UN Special Representative for the Protection of People Subjected to Sexual Violence. Every year on June 19, the UN calls on countries involved in conflict to adhere to civil standards and prevent sexual violence against people.

Since ancient times, mead, mash and beer in Rus' have been consumed at feasts, games and funeral feasts. Our ancestors learned to make wine, the recipe for which was borrowed from Byzantium, in the 10th century. All these intoxicating drinks were not so much intoxicating as invigorating. The tradition of drinking strong alcohol appeared only in the second half of the 15th century, when moonshine began to be obtained as a result of processing rye. Its closest "relative", vodka, is today considered to be the national Russian drink. All connoisseurs of strong alcohol with glasses in their hands celebrate the funny Day of Alcohol Swallowers on June 19th. According to the official version, vodka was invented by D.I. Mendeleev. Although the forty-degree mixture of alcohol and water was known long before the great scientist defended his dissertation in January 1865. In the Novgorod Chronicle of 1533, vodka is called an alcoholic medicinal tincture. Later the word began to be used to refer to an alcoholic drink. In the famous musical composition of the Mumiy Troll group there is a phrase: “Do you like vodka? This is difficult water.” Indeed, after heavy libations in the morning, it is difficult to tear your head off the pillow. Nevertheless, it is this drink that burns the larynx that is preferred by the adult population of Russia and emigrants living far from their homeland. During times of shortages and the anti-alcohol campaign, M.S. Gorbachev, connoisseurs of “little white” were forced to switch to drinking pure alcohol, pharmaceutical tinctures and even cologne. And although the Poles, Finns and representatives of other northern peoples are involved in the brewing and production of vodka, it is considered a traditional Russian drink. Alcohol Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. In Japan, in honor of the holiday, sake is poured into glasses, the strength of which, as a rule, does not exceed 15 degrees. Alcohol drinkers from Venezuela raise glasses of bitter Angostura on June 19, which was originally considered a medicine and is now included in cocktails. In Korea, June 19 is celebrated with a glass of soju in hand, the strength of which varies between 18-45%. In Italy, alcohol drinkers pour grappa into glasses, which foreigners often mistakenly call wine. This grape drink can reach a strength of 36-55 degrees, which is why grappa is jokingly called the sister of cognac and other brandies. In Australia and India, on June 19, they drink dark rum, the homeland of which is considered to be the island of Barbados. Connoisseurs of strong alcohol from Greece celebrate the Day of Spirits with Ouzu, an aromatic drink infused with herbs. In the USA, Canada, Ireland and Scotland they drink whiskey or bourbon in honor of the holiday, in France - cognac, and in Mexico - tequila. Drinking strong alcohol is part of the national culture of many peoples around the world. Therefore, the funny Day of Alcohol Swallowers is widely celebrated both in Russia and abroad.

The tradition of celebrating World Motorcyclist Day dates back to a mass action held under the slogan “Rideto Work Day”. It happened on July 22, 1992. Translated into Russian, the event was called “To work on a motorcycle.” That day, a number of enthusiasts from different countries preferred mopeds, scooters and motorcycles to their cars. A few years later, the number of participants in the action reached 5 thousand, and the holiday received a much louder title - World Motorcycle Day. In the late 1990s, the growing movement had its own website (ridetowork.org). This gave motorcyclists the opportunity for wider communication, exchange of experiences and opinions. Preparations for the annual event have also been simplified. The date of its holding and other nuances were discussed by community members on the Internet. In the 2000s, the non-profit organization Ride To Work Inc. emerged. It is she who takes upon herself the solution of various organizational and legal issues, and also provides technical support. The action is gradually losing its informal character, and the representative offices of Ride To Work Inc. open in several countries at once. In 20008, it was decided to change the date of the holiday. Instead of the third Wednesday in July, it begins to be celebrated on the third Monday in June. The main reason for this was the desire to hold the action in more favorable climatic conditions. And this had a positive effect, which was reflected in a noticeable increase in the number of participants in the holiday. The goal of the movement, which is gaining more and more strength every year, is not only to support those whom it unites. This is primarily a promotion of equal rights on the roads. Using motorcycles as a means of transportation makes it possible to more successfully combat the problem of growing traffic jams. Among other things, parking “steel horses” requires a minimum of space. Much lower fuel consumption compared to cars reduces air pollution and has a beneficial effect on the environment.

The legendary French resort on the Cote d'Azur became famous throughout the world thanks to the festival founded in 1940. The best directors, screenwriters, actors and other representatives of the film industry are awarded the Palme d'Or annually. In addition to the Cannes Festival, the city is also famous for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The competition jury, consisting of representatives from 20 countries, rewards the best among the creators and distributors of commercials, which are usually shown to viewers before the start of a film show. Winners of the Cannes Lions festival receive prizes in the form of gold, silver and bronze lion figurines. The highest award is the Grand Prix. The Cannes Lions competition was founded by a group of European advertising producers in 1954. In the early years, the festival was held in Venice and on the Cote d'Azur. The symbol of the city on the water and St. Mark's Square is the winged lion. Therefore, the sculpture of the king of beasts, resting on his front paws, became the prototype of the famous statuette - the festival award. According to tradition, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is held for 5-7 days at the Palais des Festivals and Congresses in the third week of June. In addition to the award ceremony, participants and guests from more than 90 countries are invited to attend exhibitions, seminars, master classes and lectures on the history of cinema and advertising. The events attract large audiences of marketing professionals, actors, fashion designers, scientists and artists. People come to Cannes for inspiration, useful contacts and fresh ideas for creating content in the field of advertising and communications. One of the most prestigious events of the festival is the Russian Party, which usually takes place with live music on the beach or at the Ritz Carlton hotel. It is attended by all the cream of the Cannes Lions - heads of delegations from different countries, directors of the largest media holdings and advertising agencies, the management of Cannes Lions and the jury of various competitions. The festival has more than 80 representative offices in different countries of the world. In 1994, one of them opened in the Russian Federation. Under the patronage of the Russian representative office in St. Petersburg and the Moscow House of Cinema, presentations of winning videos are held - surprising, shocking and inspiring projects from all over the world. Cannes Lions winners include advertising creators and production studios, as well as agencies and networks that distribute them. The festival program is constantly changing, as is the number of nominations in which its participants compete. Thus, in 1998, the Cyber ​​Lion award was established for the best advertising on the Internet. In 2012, directors and screenwriters who use smartphones and other gadgets to shoot videos were given the opportunity to compete in the Mobile Lions category. Award ceremonies take place almost throughout the week. The Cannes Lions Festival ends with a gala dinner on the beach at the Ritz Carlton and a grand fireworks display that takes 20 minutes to launch from platforms in the sea. Competition participants and guests go home to gather again a year later at an enchanting festival that unites art and modern technology, cinema and television.

Hippocrates said: “Walking is the best medicine for a person.” The Aesculapians of Ancient Rome recommended that patients walk in the fresh air to improve health. Exercises for the prevention of many diseases and aesthetic enjoyment of the beauties of nature began to be practiced by aristocrats in the Middle Ages. Nicholas II, the last Russian emperor, had his own promenade route in Crimea. His Solar Path is one of the most popular healing paths among guests of sanatoriums and boarding houses located in Livadia and Yalta. Today, those who want to improve their physical and mental health rely on hiking and trekking, trekking through mountains, gorges and forests, as well as walks for people far from sports tourism. “Movement is life,” said Aristotle. Everyone who chooses walking as a way to prevent arthrosis and arthritis, an opportunity to improve their mood, strengthen blood circulation and immunity, celebrates an unusual holiday on June 19th. International Walking Day falls on this date every year. International Walking Day owes its appearance to the growing movement in the last third of the twentieth century. the popularity of jogging and the American W.T. Rabe. A Michigan man proposed Walking Day in 1979 out of a desire to slow down the pace of modern life. His attempt to slow down the passage of time was supported by guests of the Grand Hotel located on Mackinac Island in the USA, which at that time had the longest veranda in the world at 200 meters. Guests walked along it on June 19 with a call to relax and slow down the pace of life in order to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. Doctors recommend walking in the fresh air as one of the ways to combat high cholesterol and depression, to prevent stroke, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and diabetes. Walking helps prevent colon cancer and some other types of cancer, and reduces anxiety and stress. Walking, which helps oxygenate the blood, is especially recommended for pregnant women and the elderly. Regular promenades help improve memory, normalize appetite, sleep and wakefulness. The holiday makes everyone think about health, which is ensured not by taking medications, but by an active lifestyle. Advocates for walking in nature encourage people to remember the joys of moving independently across the land without the use of vehicles, as our ancestors did. Spinal problems and excess weight are among the many consequences of physical inactivity that affect the population of developed countries. International Walking Day is a great way to take care of the beauty of your body, the health of your blood vessels and joints by going alone or in a group for a walk through flat terrain, mountains or forests.

Pele, born into a poor Brazilian family, spent his days kicking a ball made of straw, rags and paper with other boys. At the age of 7, the future football star began playing for the team of the city of Bauru, located in the state of Sao Paulo. Cristiano Ronaldo started playing for the Andorinha club in Madeira at the age of 8. At the same age, coaches appreciated the ball-handling technique of Argentinean Diego Maradona, inviting the Argentinos Juniors junior football team. Examples from the lives of outstanding players confirm that the earlier a child’s talent is identified and opportunities are created for its implementation, the greater heights he will achieve in the future. Football is one of the most famous sports in the world. However, in order to popularize and develop it, coaches need to search for gifted children and give them a chance to demonstrate their abilities. These goals are pursued by FIFA and UNICEF, which established the holiday in 2001. Every year on June 19, World Children's Football Day is celebrated. Active games with peers in the yard are an excellent place to practice shin passes, stop and roll the ball at high speed, and head it into the opponent’s goal. During street training, Zinedine Zindane realized that he loved football and wanted to play it all his life. The future legend, living with his family in a poor area of ​​​​Marseille, pulled out a lucky ticket in 1983. Zindan caught the eye of coaches from the amateur club Saint-Henri, who were wandering the streets of the city in search of talent. The keen eye of specialists who assessed the abilities of the 11-year-old boy helped him make a name for himself and achieve great heights in sports. Before the start of football matches and the playing of the national anthem, children join the professionals on the field. This long-standing sports tradition symbolizes the continuity of generations. Children's appearance on the field together with experienced players motivates them and thousands of their peers to believe in themselves and begin to give their all in training. In the future, young athletes will have the chance to put on the national team uniform and compete for their club in the adult team. World Children's Football Day is dedicated not only to playing football at a professional level. The game helps millions of children from around the world lead a healthy lifestyle and organize leisure time. Football is an accessible sport. Young athletes just need to meet like-minded people, find a ball and a place to practice passes and shots. Pele claimed that his success was not an accident. It was the result of perseverance and hard work, continuous learning and self-sacrifice for the common cause. Football builds and strengthens character: it makes an athlete agile, resilient and collected, cultivates determination and team spirit. Coaches who are looking for young talents all year round are ready to share the philosophy of the game and the basics of skill with the players, and not just on June 19 in honor of World Children's Football Day.

International Box Day on June 19th is the perfect opportunity for you and your cat to spend some quality time together. If you don't have a cat, you may not understand what all the fuss is about. But read on anyway to unlock the secrets of International Box Day! Cats and cardboard boxes are a match made in heaven, and on International Box Day we celebrate the fun and joy of this incredible combination. It's widely known that cats love boxes, and most cat owners don't know why. You invite them into your soft bed, but they insist on staying in the box. Why? Cats gain comfort and security in confined spaces, making crates an ideal place for them to curl up. Crates provide excellent cover from predators and also help reduce stress by offering a safe area where your cat can keep an eye on everyone without being seen. A recent study from Utrecht University found that cats with crates adapted more quickly to their environment, highlighting that crates may play a key role in combating the anxiety that often arises from change. From a cat's point of view, the boxes have everything they need: the ideal temperature, personal space and the right level of comfort. And this doesn't just apply to your little house cat. Big cats like lions, tigers and pumas also love boxes. Living in sanctuaries and receiving cardboard boxes, they had as much fun as your pet kitten. Yes, tigers and lions jumped in and out of boxes, sat in them and generally had a great time. For cats, a regular old box can keep them occupied for a long time. International Box Day is our chance to celebrate this weird wedding and you can give your cat a box. 1. Build a fort out of boxes for your cat Go to a supermarket or other big box store and ask if they have any extra boxes. Bring them home and create the perfect play area for your cat. Leave some open, others lay on their sides, and your cat will soon be conquering her new castle. 2. Join your cat in a box Have you ever wondered why your cat loves the box so much? Why not find a big box and join your cat? Who knows, you might want to celebrate International Box Day more than once a year. But don't be offended if your kitten prefers to be alone in the box. 3. Invite your kitty friends to a party together Bring your cat-loving friends and their pets together for some great time together. Collect them as many boxes of all shapes and sizes as possible and watch them have fun!

Fun Holidays - Cloud Watching Day

US Holidays - Emancipation Day (Freedom Day)

Larion Propolnik is popularly celebrated on June 19 (June 6 according to the old calendar style). Larion named the date on behalf of the Christian saint - St. Hilarion the New, whose memory is honored by believers on this day. Hilarion lived in the 9th century, and from childhood he was brought up in the love of the Lord, so by the time he was twenty, he took monastic vows in the Dalmatian monastery. The monk chose his mother-in-law, Hilarion the Great, as an example to follow, for which he received the nickname Hilarion the New. For his virtue and diligence, the brethren of the monastery chose him as abbot of the monastery. During the period of the iconoclastic heresy and the destruction of icons, Hilarion spoke out in their defense, for which he was oppressed and punished in every possible way. The saint died in his monastery from old age in 845. Larion was popularly nicknamed the Weeder for the tradition of weeding weeds on this day. To do this, families went out into the gardens and fields; from early morning until sunset, the peasants bent their backs, destroying harmful weeds. Leaving it to grow meant getting a small harvest from cultivated plants, so weeds were removed without fail. Weeds harmed crops planted by people. Due to their strong immunity, they oppressed them: the root system of the weed grew faster than the cultivated plantings, thereby drawing useful microelements and moisture from the soil. Tall weeds covered useful crops from sunlight and heat. Some types of weeds were poisonous and, if accidentally ingested, could harm the health of residents. However, there were benefits from weeds. With their roots they loosened the soil, and during decomposition they enriched it with useful microelements. In hot weather, weeds protected the ground from overheating and thereby prevented the soil from drying out. Wormwood and dandelions, for example, could repel harmful insects from cultivated plants. Weeds mixed with manure served as excellent fertilizer after a year. Peasants determined the future based on the signs of Larion Propolnik. If you noticed a wind from the east, you prepared for a wet summer. A falling lark foreshadowed bad weather. The cry of a quail promised impending rain. A spider laying eggs in a cocoon predicted fine days.

Orthodox holidays June 19:

Feast of the Pimenovskaya Icon of the Mother of God

Memorial Day of Saint Vissarion, Wonderworker of Egypt

Memorial Day of St. Hilarion