Today is November 26th: Discover the significance of this date in history and the celebrations associated with it.
On November 26, 2018, martial law was introduced in Ukraine due to the Russian Federation's attack on Ukrainian Navy ships in the Kerch Strait. In 1998, Leonid Kuchma established a Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Holodomor. The Mainila incident occurred in 1939, serving as a pretext for the start of the Soviet-Finnish War. In 1934, Ukrainian writer and human rights activist Yuri Litvin was born. In 1864, Lewis Carroll sent a manuscript titled "The Adventures of Alice in the Underground" as a gift to Alice Liddell.
Holidays and Commemorative Dates on November 26
November 26 is the Day of Struggle Against Obesity.
Also today: International Shoemaker's Day, World Olive Tree Day.
November 26 in History
On November 26, 1864, Professor Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) sent a manuscript titled "The Adventures of Alice in the Underground" as a Christmas gift to Alice Liddell. This work is known to us by another name — "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Read more.
On November 26, 1939, the so-called Mainila incident occurred on the border between the USSR and Finland. It served as a pretext for further Soviet invasion and the beginning of the Soviet-Finnish (or so-called Winter) War. Read more.
On November 26, 1934, Ukrainian poet, writer, and human rights activist Yuri Litvin was born. Read more.
On November 26, 1998, President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma established a Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Holodomor and political repressions by his decree No. 1310/98. The brief text stated that this commemorative date would be observed annually on the fourth Saturday of November. Subsequently, the name was changed several times: in 2004, Kuchma himself approved the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Holodomors and Political Repressions. In 2007, his successor Viktor Yushchenko separated the victims of political repressions from those of genocide by famine. The decree was issued in connection with the 70th anniversary of the Great Terror — mass political repressions of 1937-1938. Yushchenko established a Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Political Repressions in Ukraine (observed annually on the third Sunday of May). The November commemorative date was named the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Holodomors.
At the same time, there is still a debate among historians and researchers of national memory regarding the correct usage of the term "Holodomor" in the plural form.
“Currently, in Ukraine, the term 'Holodomor' has a legal and legislative status only for the genocide of 1932-1933. The events of 1921–1923 and 1946-1947 are classified as mass famine, the genocidal nature of which has not yet been proven, and therefore, the use of the word 'holodomors' in the plural diminishes the concept of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide. Furthermore, the use of the term 'holodomors' in the plural is often a source of criticism from the global community and opponents and serves as a reason for the non-recognition of the Holodomor as genocide against the Ukrainian people,” — commented the press service of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, explaining the decision to rename the Holodomor Museum in 2015.
On November 26, 2018, martial law was introduced in Ukraine for the first time due to military aggression from the Russian Federation. This was the first time Russia attacked Ukrainian military personnel not under the guise of "little green men," but under its own flag. Read more.
Church Holiday on November 26
On November 26, Ukrainians honor the memory of Saint Alipius, the Stylite. He was born in the city of Adrianople. His father died early, and his Christian mother entrusted him to Bishop Theodore for instruction. She herself distributed her possessions to the poor and lived at the church, eventually gaining the title of deaconess. During a trip to Constantinople with Bishop Theodore, Alipius was visited by Saint Euphemia, who urged him to return to Adrianople and establish a church in her name. He did just that. Alipius built the church on donations from believers on the site of an abandoned pagan cemetery. Next to the church, in the open air, he erected a pillar on top of a pagan tombstone. For 53 years, Saint Alipius asceticized on the pillar, praying to God and teaching those who came to him. Only 14 years before his death, he could no longer stand and had to lie on his side due to an illness in his legs. Around his pillar, two monasteries gradually formed: one for men, and the other for women. The saint established strict rules for both monasteries and oversaw them until his death. Alipius died in 640 at the age of 118.
Folk Omens
If it rains on November 26, there will be a good hay harvest next year.
If a lot of snow accumulates, there will be a good harvest.
If it snows lightly, there will be severe frosts, but if large flakes fall from the sky, it indicates warming.
What Not to Do on November 26
Do not argue with anyone.
Do not insult the elderly and children.
Do not be lazy.