Holidays March 20
World Forest Day
International Forest Day was established by the UN in 1971 in conjunction with Earth Day. The purpose of the event is to remind society of the important role of forests in the ecological system of the planet. The problem of conservation of wood resources is acute in almost every corner of the globe. In recent years, the massive "baldness" of the Earth has caused serious concern among ecologists, as well as the entire international community, because our forests are our "lungs", and they, participating in photosynthesis, give us much-needed oxygen to sustain life. In addition, forests offer a home to many inhabitants of the animal world, maintain a healthy environment and soil fertility, and play an aesthetic role.
However, the number of forests is inexorably decreasing every year. And this is due to the increase in population, which inevitably leads to the development of new territories and deforestation. A considerable threat to vegetation is created by natural and human-triggered fires. In connection with the above, the main task of World Forest Day is to attract the public to the problems of forest conservation, computerization of the population and its involvement in the organized painstaking process of restoring the natural balance of nature.
International Earth Day
Earth Day, established by the UN initiative, is celebrated annually in most countries of the world. In the calendar of holidays there are two events arranged in honor of the planet: the first determines the humanistic orientation, and the second - environmental (celebrated on April 22). The date of March 20 was chosen by the UN directory and was not accidental in 1971. It is on this day that the Earth changes its biological rhythm, activates and literally "comes to life", in nature this phenomenon is called the equinox.
Earth Day is a worldwide civic “stream” of activists advocating for a fragile planet as a common House for humanity, regardless of religion or race. The initiators are constantly developing various actions and activities carried out as part of the rescue program, as well as maintaining the ecological balance of the Earth. Mainly, the event includes all kinds of propaganda, environmental exhibitions, festivals, conferences about nature, as well as cleaning sites, planting greenery, trees and general cultivation of cities.
Day of spring equinox
In 2013, the vernal equinox, which is a unique natural phenomenon, will occur on March 20. The essence of what is happening is that on the day of the equinox the center of our Sun crosses the so-called celestial equator. The autumn and spring equinoxes occur at the beginning of the corresponding seasons. And the interval between the events of the same name is called a tropical year, which equals 365.24 ... days.
With the vernal equinox, a new astronomical year comes to many countries of the world (Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, etc.). On this day, light and darkness are equally divided. It is believed that it is from this phenomenon that nature begins to come to life and be updated. As for the autumnal equinox, when the Sun moves from the northern to the southern hemisphere, it arrives by the end of September.
March 20 in the folk calendar
Pavel Kapelnik
On March 20, the people immediately remember two saints named Pavel - the Prestrost, who lived in the fourth century, and the Confessor, who existed five centuries later.
In Russia, it was believed that nature began to bloom from Paul Kapelnik, although a winter chill was still present. “Dripping from the roof, but pinching by the nose,” the peasants joked about it. Nevertheless, winter inevitably receded, snow melted faster and faster. Many believed in special signs of Paul the Kapelnik. For example, to see snow falling from the roofs - this is to "sinfulness." In this case, people atone for sins before the icon of the Mother of God. We also paid close attention to the weather: if there is a cold snap in the evening, wait until the morning of frost. But a strong drop promised a noble harvest by next fall.
Historical events of March 20
March 20, 1535 - Implementation of the first centralized monetary reform in Russia
An important monetary reform was carried out during the reign of the regency Elena Glinsky (mother of Ivan the Terrible). All coins of the old minting were removed from everyday life, and now new coins consisting exclusively of silver were operating throughout the country. They were made in the workshop at the state court. In Russia, half a penny, a penny and a half penny (a quarter of a penny) were introduced. As a rule, a horseman with a spear was depicted on a penny, a horseman with a saber on a “half kopeck”, but the bird became the symbol of the half.
March 20, 1933 - Has earned the largest broadcasting station in the world
The beginning of the 20th century - the heyday of the radio! The decision to build a unique radio station operating for thousands of kilometers was made in 1930. They named the planned project developed under the direction of A. L. Mints, the station of the Comintern. The power of the new station, according to experts, was to be equal to 500 kW - ten times more than the largest existing at that time radio station located in the United States. To develop such a huge power, scientists had to combine several 100 kW units running in parallel. The radio station of the Comintern became Mintz's best work. The project was thought out to the smallest detail, which gave even more chances for its successful implementation.
March 20, 1992 - The Gold Star medal and the title of Hero of the Russian Federation have been established in the Russian Federation
The title of Hero of the Russian Federation is the main award of the country established by the law of the Russian Federation in 1992. According to the same law, a medal of special distinction was established - the Golden Star. The title of Hero of the Russian Federation is today awarded to soldiers for the courage and heroism shown in the "hot spots", as well as to the founders of outer space and new aviation equipment for special services to the country. The first "Golden Star" appeared in 1939 and was intended for people who particularly distinguished themselves in the Soviet Union.
Born on March 20
- Svyatoslav Richter (born in 1915) - Soviet virtuoso pianist, greatest musician of the twentieth century, public figure of the USSR.
- Ekaterina Strizhenova (born in 1968) - Russian theater, film, television presenter. From childhood, she mastered the stage, which became her second home. In adulthood, she starred in dozens of films and played hundreds of roles on the stage. Today, the actress is practicing as the TV host of the Good Morning program.
- Vera Panova (born in 1905) - Soviet film playwright, talented writer. Among her works became the most popular: “Pirozhkov Family”, “Clear Beach”, “Boy and Girl”, “Volodya”, “Seasons”, “Sentimental Novel” and some others.
- Alexander Morozov (Born in 1948) - pop singer, songwriter, People's Artist of Russia. Founder of the music publishing company Frost Records.
Birthday March 20
Vasily, Antonina, Eugene, Anna, Ksenia, Emelyan, Ekaterina, Evdokia, Nadezhda, Maria, Nikolay, Nestor, Matron, Kapiton, Lavrenti, Efrem and Pavel.
