Once you open the calendar, it turns out that almost every day there is some kind of holiday. It can be significant or, on the contrary, little-known, but nevertheless it is, and therefore, if desired, it is quite possible to organize a party or a modest family feast.
Here, for example, almost all of us know when St. Valentine's Day is celebrated, but do you know what kind of celebrations are held on the planet on the occasion of, say, February 11? Not? Well, in vain ... Indeed, on this day in different years quite a lot of famous and outstanding people were born. Why not remember them again? In addition, February 11th is a wonderful occasion to spend time at the family table or in a fun friendly company. What is the reason? Let's try to find out.
However, this article will not only acquaint you with what events took place on February 11 in the world, the reader will learn about the extraordinary celebration in Japan, the glorification of the patron saint of shepherds, and an unusual church holiday.
And it will also be told about what kind of people celebrated their birthday on February 11th and what kind of scientific discoveries were made in different years in the history of the planet.
International Patient's Day
Not everyone knows that February 11 is a holiday for those who are fortunate enough to be cured of any serious illness.
The initiator was none other than Pope John Paul II. He wrote a special message in which he took the initiative to create a World Holiday - Patient's Day. This date was accepted by the international community and approved in May 1992.
This decision was a kind of social step that was made to support all people suffering from diseases of the planet.
The pontiff in his message also explained the goals of this day, emphasizing the urgent need to improve the care of the suffering and sick people. The date was not chosen by chance, but in strict accordance with the Catholic Day of the weak, which was always celebrated by the church and its parishioners on February 11th.
There is a belief that once in the French town of Lourdes that day the Mother of God appeared and healed all the afflicted. After this incident, she began to be considered a symbol of hope for the sick.
Now on this day in many countries of the world are actions and events dedicated to the treatment and prevention of various diseases.
Great Veles Day
All farmers and shepherds celebrate Veles Day on February 11th . Note that Veles has long been considered the patron saint of shepherds and livestock. On this day, to strengthen the health of cattle, rural people still sprinkle it with water.
Women on Veles, for the obedience of oxen, perform a special rite: they drink strong honey, and then beat their husbands.
On this day, ceremonies are held in some villages to prevent "cow death", the final stage of which is the battle between Veles and Marena-winter. At the end of the day, a feast is held, at which, by the way, it is forbidden to eat beef.
February 11th in Japan - a holiday of statehood
In the middle of the last winter month, the State Day is solemnly celebrated in the Land of the Rising Sun.
This day throughout the country is approved as a national holiday. Neither banks, nor shops, nor any government agencies work. Tourists who did not know about February 11, a national holiday, are confused. It turns out that even the most necessary on this day is almost impossible to acquire, because Supermarkets do not work.
State Day was not appointed for this date by chance. It was February 11, 660 BC. Jimmu, the first Japanese emperor, ascended the throne.
The holiday officially became nationwide in 1966 and began to be celebrated on a grand scale since 1967.
Lavrentiev day
This holiday is designated in honor of the Monk Lawrence, who became famous for his gift of healing. People with vision problems worshiped him, since it was believed that the saint had the power to completely cure anyone whose request would be sincere from blindness.
They watch the moon on Lawrence: if it grows, the weather of this day will remain until the middle of March, if a new moon falls, then such days, warm or cold, with or without precipitation, will stand until the end of February.
Also on Lorenius they watched the smoke from the stove and the wood in it. The first was supposed to be smooth, the second crackle. Otherwise, you should expect a rainy and rainy summer.
By the way, today, people who are lucky at birth to receive the name of this saint, which is quite rare these days, celebrate the birthday on February 11. Religious people on this day prefer to go to church, while the rest just arrange small family feasts.
The first ship is patented
As one would expect, on February 11th the most diverse dates are celebrated. Let's fast forward to the world of science and technology.
Although scientists have been working on the use of steam energy since the 17th century, the American R. Fulton patented the first functioning steamer on this very day in 1809. This scientist became the first inventor of the ship. Since then, for almost 10 years, his ship under the name "Clermont" regularly carried out commercial flights.
By the way, not everyone knows that almost before his death, Fulton also designed a warship powered by a steam engine.
Recall that in Russia, the first ship - "Elizabeth" - was built in 1815 by C. Bird in St. Petersburg. “Elizabeth” was first tested on the Neva, and then allowed on a flight between St. Petersburg and Kronstadt.
The Vatican has become an independent state
It is hard to imagine that the area of the Vatican is only 44 hectares. And that automatically turns it into the smallest state on the planet.
It is located in the capital of Italy - Rome. The Holy See is located here - the most important administrative organ of the Catholic Church. On the territory there is an area intended for the worship of all Catholics, and a huge St. Peter's Cathedral was built.
The entire perimeter of the Vatican is enclosed by a wall longer than 3 km. Many would like to know why this dwarf state has such a name. The whole thing, it turns out, is the location. The state lies on the hill of the same name.
If you are ever asked to answer the question of who was born on February 11, you can confidently correct the person, noting that it would be more correct to say not “who”, but “what”. In fact, on this day in 1929, a new state appeared on the world map.
The necessary Lateran agreements were signed, as a result of which the Vatican received the status of an independent state. The leadership of the city-country is carried out by the Pope, elected for life by secret ballot by the College of Cardinals. The Vatican also has the smallest army in the world, consisting of only 110 Swiss guards.
Thomas Edison's Birthday
Now let's talk about who was actually born on February 11, i.e. We will tell you about an outstanding personality for everyone related to the world of science.
On this day in 1847, the brilliant American inventor Thomas Edison was born . He took up invention in 1868, and two years later he opened his own research laboratory in New York. In 1887, he created and headed a special research center.
Edison's inventions were an incandescent lamp, an electric meter, a base and a cartridge, a recorder, a megaphone and a phonograph, later supplemented by it. He also developed a lighting system and a rotary switch, improved Bell's phone.
Thanks to Edison, a parallel inclusion of lamps appeared. The scientist also built heavy-duty electric generators, and in 1881 he launched the world's first power station, which supplied electricity through an extensive network.
In addition, Edison came up with an alkaline iron-nickel battery, a railway brake, a telephone recorder, and improved a cinematic camera. Truly, this is one of the most talented people on the planet.
Lyubov Orlova - the world famous Russian actress
On February 11, however, like her own birthday, Lyubov Orlova, an outstanding Soviet singer, theater and film actress, celebrated.
Orlova was born on February 11, 1902 in the Moscow Region, in a family of noblemen. At the age of seven, Love began to study at a music school, and the first who noticed the talent of the girl was the brilliant F. Chaliapin, who, moreover, was a friend of the Lyuba family. Subsequently, Lyubov studied at the Moscow Conservatory and as a choreographer at the Moscow Theater College. After that, she began working at the Moscow Musical Theater, acting as an opera singer and performer of choreographic productions.
In the movie, the actress made her debut in 1934 in the silent picture of G. Roshal's Petersburg Night. Later, the role in "Cheerful Guys" became a decisive moment in the work of the actress. They say that Stalin himself admired her game.
Lyubov Orlova always looked after herself and looked beautiful, was not only a great actress, but also a real idol of absolutely all Soviet families of three decades of the last century. Her songs knew and sang the whole Union. In recent years, the actress devoted herself to work in the Moscow Theater and, by the way, practically did not sing.
Of course, this is far from all the events that were marked on February 11 for the long years of the existence of mankind, but are undoubtedly the most interesting.