Today is January 28: discover the significance of this date and the historical events that took place on this day.
January 28 – Day of the State Flag of Ukraine. On January 28, 1077, the "Walk to Canossa" concluded. In 1929, the first Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists convened, leading to the creation of the OUN. In 1930, the "Extraordinary Council of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church" was opened, during which the church disbanded at the request of the Soviet authorities. In 1958, the company "Lego" patented its world-famous building blocks. In 1986, the American space shuttle "Challenger" exploded. In 2003, the presidents of Ukraine and Russia signed a treaty on the state border.
Holidays and Memorial Dates on January 28
January 28 is the Day of the State Flag of Ukraine.
Globally, it is the International Data Protection Day and the World Unemployment Day.
Additionally, today is: World Community Day, International Day of CO2 Reduction, International Lego Builder Day.
January 28 in History
On January 28, 1077, the "Walk to Canossa" concluded – a penitent journey of Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Henry IV to Pope Gregory VII, requesting the annulment of his excommunication.
Due to the prolonged confrontation between Henry IV and Rome, this emperor is sometimes metaphorically referred to as the "first Protestant." However, this designation is far from accurate. Both Henry and his opponent, Pope Gregory, were much more concerned with issues of power than faith. The conflict, which featured the Pope and the emperor as key figures, is known in history as the "struggle for investiture." The "Walk to Canossa" was not the conclusion but merely an intermediate episode.
The essence of the conflict lay in the struggle between church and state over the right to appoint bishops. In feudal society, bishops were not only spiritual leaders but also administrators of significant lands. In most cases, they were representatives of the nobility (for example, second sons in wealthy families who did not inherit titles) and participated in state governance. Thus, monarchs exercised investiture of bishops (the procedure of granting them land ownership and office) and regarded them as ordinary vassals. As a result, through "their" bishops, the heads of European states influenced the election of the Pope – they simply indicated to the "vassals of the clergy" whom to support. This situation persisted from the decline of the Roman Empire until the 11th century, when Pope Gregory VII implemented reforms prohibiting emperors from conducting bishops' investiture.
“The prohibition of investiture was, in fact, merely a pretext for conflict; the real issue, at least at the height of the confrontation, was whether imperial or papal authority should be supreme in the Christian world. The powerful and fervent Pope Gregory VII seriously sought to establish the Kingdom of God on earth under papal leadership. As a successor to the apostles of Christ, he claimed supreme authority over both spiritual and secular matters,” — writes the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Despite the Pope's prohibition, in 1075 Emperor Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire continued to appoint bishops in both Germany and Italy – notably appointing a new bishop of Milan. The Pope disagreed and insisted on his position. Consequently, on January 24, 1076, Henry IV convened a synod in the city of Worms, where, at the emperor's demand, the clergy renounced their obligations to the Pope. Inspired by this success, Henry demanded the resignation of the despised Gregory VII. However, Gregory made a "counter move." He excommunicated Henry IV from the church, thereby declaring that all oaths of loyalty given by the emperor's vassals were null and void. The Pope granted the emperor a year "to reflect," after which he promised to make his decision irreversible.
Henry IV had no reason to doubt that the vassals freed from their oaths would seize the opportunity to undermine his authority, so he sought to find common ground with Pope Gregory. This led the emperor to embark on the "Walk to Canossa." To reach the castle of Canossa, where the Pope was at that time, Henry IV, along with his wife and young son, risked their lives crossing the Alpine mountains in the midst of winter. On January 25, 1077, they finally arrived at the castle walls, but Gregory VII ordered that the emperor be denied entry. Thus, Henry IV and his family had to repent at the gates for three days. On January 28, the Pope finally permitted the emperor to enter the castle, where Henry humbly begged for forgiveness. Ultimately, Gregory VII lifted the excommunication of Henry IV. This concluded the "Walk to Canossa," but not the confrontation. The excommunication and humiliating repentance cost Henry his standing in the empire – he never restored the level of power he had previously held. Moreover, a struggle for power within the empire commenced, leading to civil war, and the Salic dynasty's right to pass the crown by inheritance was lost. Of course, Henry did not let this go lightly. He marched troops against the Pope and was excommunicated again. The emperor's army stormed Rome, forcing Gregory VII to flee. Henry IV then installed "his Pope" – the antipope Clement III. Overall, the struggle for investiture lasted half a century. It can be asserted that the Roman pontiffs ultimately emerged victorious. The power and authority of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire suffered to such an extent that they were never fully restored.
On January 28, 1929, the first Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists convened, leading to the formation of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Learn more.
On January 28, 1930, the so-called "Extraordinary Council of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church" opened in Kyiv. Learn more.
On January 28, 1951, the first astronaut of independent Ukraine, Leonid Kadenyuk, was born.
On January 28, 1958, the company "Lego" patented the modern design of its highly successful building blocks. Learn more.
On January 28, 1986, the American space shuttle "Challenger" exploded over Cape Canaveral. Learn more.
On January 28, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the blue and yellow flag as the State Flag of Ukraine. Learn more.
On January 28, 1992, Ukraine established diplomatic relations with Italy.
On January 28, 2003, in Kyiv, President Putin of Russia signed a treaty on the state border with President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. Learn more.
On January 28, 2010, President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko issued a decree recognizing the UPA warriors as participants in the struggle for Ukraine's independence.
Church Holiday
Saint Ephrem the Syrian. He was born in the early 4th century in Mesopotamia. As a young man, he went to the nearby mountains and became a hermit. After his hometown of Syria was captured by the Persians, he left his place of solitude and settled in a monastery near the city of Edessa, where he lived until his death. During his life, the saint wrote many hymns and prayers. His penitential prayer "O Lord and Master of my life" is recited during Great Lent.
Folk Omens
Windy weather predicts a damp and rainy year.
If you hear birds singing, expect warmer weather.
A clear, cloudless day indicates an early spring.
If January 28 is marked by a sharp warming, frosts will return by February.
What Not to Do on January 28
Avoid shirking work and neglecting cleaning.
Do not leave unwashed dishes in the sink.
Do not allow guests to leave your home empty-handed.
It is strictly forbidden to insult children.