Today is January 9th: Discover the significance of this date in history and the celebrations associated with it.
On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone. In 1924, filmmaker Sergei Parajanov was born – an Armenian accused of Ukrainian nationalism. In 1921, Simon Petlyura signed the law on the Council of the Republic. In 1816, the first test of the Davy lamp took place. In 1431, the trial of Joan of Arc began.
Holidays and Memorial Dates on January 9
January 9 is celebrated worldwide as International Choreographer's Day.
Also today: Day of the Verbal Botanist (or Day of the Wordsmith), Day of "Play God" (referring to creating good and enacting positive changes in the world).
January 9 in History
On January 9, 1431, in Rouen, the trial of Joan of Arc commenced, who had been sold to the English by the Burgundian Duke Philip III the Good for 10,000 gold livres the day before. Learn more.
On January 9, 1816, the first test of the Davy lamp took place in England. This invention saved thousands of lives.
The lamp was originally intended as a safe lighting source for work in coal mines. The accumulation of mine gases combined with the open flames of candles or other types of lamps often led to explosions. Over time, the Davy lamp was used as the very first "gas analyzer." When dangerous gases were present, the flame would appear and behave differently.
The design created by physicist Humphry Davy was as follows. The lamp could be oil, kerosene, or carbide-based. The flame was covered by a metal mesh. The inventor calculated the size of the holes in it and the thermal capacity of the material so that air and any gas could pass freely through the mesh to sustain combustion. However, the size of the holes was insufficient for the flame to spread through them and ignite gas outside the mesh.
In addition to being safe (although it did not illuminate spaces very brightly), the lamp also served a "signaling" function. When flammable gas mixtures accumulated nearby, the flame of the Davy lamp burned higher and took on a blue hue. To assess the level of danger, the lamps were equipped with a metal height gauge for the flame.
If the air in the mines started to lack oxygen (for example, if a suffocating gas accumulated), the flame of the lamp would extinguish at around 17% oxygen content. This still allowed miners to escape without succumbing to asphyxiation. The first test of the Davy lamp with wire mesh occurred at the Hebburn mine. For his invention, Humphry Davy received an award from the British Royal Society. The first "gas analyzers" spread across the world, including in the mines of Ukraine's Donbas region (the rules of use are detailed, particularly in the "Code of Mining Regulations" from 1893).
On January 9, 1921, Simon Petlyura signed the law "On the Rada of the UPR." Learn more.
On January 9, 1924, filmmaker Sergei Parajanov was born. "An Armenian born in Tbilisi and imprisoned in a Russian jail for Ukrainian nationalism," is how the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory succinctly describes the paradoxes of the famous director's biography. Learn more.
On January 9, 1992, Guinea, Venezuela, and Chile recognized Ukraine's independence. Ukraine established diplomatic relations with North Korea.
On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. Learn more.
Church Holiday on January 9
On January 9, the memory of martyr Polyeukt is honored. He was the first martyr on Armenian territory in Melitene. He suffered for his faith during the reign of Emperor Valerian. During Emperor Decius's time, Polyeukt was a pagan, a warrior, and a friend of another Christian warrior, Nearkh. When persecutions against Christians began, Nearkh warned Polyeukt that they would soon be separated, as Nearkh would be tortured, and Polyeukt would have to renounce his friendship. However, Polyeukt confessed that he had seen Christ in a dream, who took off his clothes and put on new, bright ones. "From this moment," said Polyeukt, "I am ready to serve the Lord Jesus Christ." Polyeukt went into the square and tore up the royal decree demanding worship of idols. Polyeukt's father-in-law, the ruler Feloks, declared that his son-in-law must die. The pleas of his wife and children to return to paganism were in vain – Polyeukt refused, and his head was severed.
Folk Omens
If birds are sitting on the snow, there will be a warming.
If there are many crows in the trees, there will be frosts.
If a cat is sleeping on its back, warm weather is coming.
What Not to Do on January 9
Do not sew on buttons.
Do not abuse alcohol.