Holidays February 12
International Marriage Agency Day
February 12, around the world celebrate the Day of marriage agencies. This holiday was established in 2010 by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. The initiative was immediately picked up by other countries: Canada, USA, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain.
The first marriage office was opened in London in 1650. Its employees were looking for suitable pairs for their clients. As you can see, little has changed since then, and people around the world do not get tired of looking for their "halves".
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
On February 12, America celebrates the birthday of its 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Although this celebration was united in 1970 of the last century with the birthday of George Washington, grateful Americans stubbornly continue to celebrate the 12th of February.
The abolition of slavery and the law on the right of any American to own their own piece of land made President Lincoln a national hero. A car company is named in his honor, and his face looks at us with dollars.
Mardi gras
February 12, many countries celebrate Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). This is a holiday of Catholics, and Mardi Gras is preparing parishioners for Lent. Although the holiday was "born" in France, but the celebration is similar to our Shrovetide: the same pancakes and pancakes, noise and din, fun till you drop and play. The feast ends at midnight from February 12 to February 13 - this is a prerequisite for the holiday.
International Pancake Day
February 12 is a holiday for all Catholics, in all countries, because this is the last day before the Catholic Lent, when it is permissible to taste the meager dishes and have fun from the heart. International pancake day is celebrated where there are no their own "pancake" holidays. In England, the pancake festival has been celebrated for 500 years, and in Kansas, pancakes have been tasted on February 12 since 1950.
The International Pancake Day is celebrated in a very peculiar way, and the “fault” is that the parable about how one hostess at the very beginning of Lent, immediately after February 12, secretly baked pancakes. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, and the hostess was so frightened that she rushed to the temple to pray for sins right with the frying pan in her hands and pancakes.
Since then, the people at the festival have been running through the streets with pancakes and frying pans, and the jury has also chosen to strictly but fairly evaluate the skills of the “runners” who cannot drop the pancakes to the ground. On the evening of February 12, all pancakes are eaten by hungry spectators.
February 12 in the national calendar
Vasiliev day
Vasiliev Day or Three Saints is celebrated on February 12. On this day, three saints are honored at once: Gregory the Theologian, Basil the Great, and John the Theologian - hence the name of the feast February 12: the Three Saints. It is believed that February 12 can not be spun.
February 12, changes occur in nature, and the animals begin to choose a mate for themselves. Vasiliev day is called - "Animal wedding". While the bestial male half fights for the “lady of the heart,” on February 12, the people sit down at a festive table, where there are only dishes from the meat of wild animals, a boar, for example.
On February 12, Vasilyev, the peasants had their signs: if hares come from the forest or wolves howl close to the village - wait for the cold, if bullfinch begin to chirp - wait for the blizzard, the trees are covered with hoarfrost, and the mice got out of the snow - soon thaw.
Historical events February 12
February 12, 1864 opening of the Moscow Zoo
February 12, in 1864, a zoo opened on the outskirts of Moscow. There were representatives of 286 species of local fauna and farm animals. Before the October Revolution, the zoo twice passed into private hands, but no one could adequately maintain this difficult farm. In 1919, the zoo was nationalized, but the funds for the maintenance, feeding and treatment of animals are sorely lacking so far. The territory of the zoo is 21.5 hectares, and more than 7,000 animals live here.
February 12, 1908 first car race from new york to paris
On February 12, in 1908, nine crews of riders left New York. They had to go around the globe and get to Paris using only their own cars. The first arrived German crew, but the palm was awarded to the Americans, because the Germans on the way took advantage of the railway service. The German car "Protos" is still carefully kept in the museum of Munich.
February 12, 1947 a huge meteorite fell in Primorsky Krai
On February 12, a huge meteorite, called Sihote-Alin, fell on the territory of Primorsky Krai. According to preliminary calculations, its mass was 70 tons. Entering the atmosphere, the meteorite began to burn and decay: on February 12, a meteor shower passed over the Primorsky Krai. A bright car was observed within a radius of 400 km, and a dust cloud covered the whole sky. On February 12, the scientists found 24 craters, 98 craters, 78 holes and a lot of research material on the site of a meteorite landing. Sikhote-Alin meteorite was studied thoroughly, which naturally made a huge contribution to science.
Were born on February 12
Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809 - April 19, 1882), famous English naturalist, author of the theory of evolution
Charles Darwin, the creator of the new theory of the evolution of the organism, all his life tried to prove that animals and plants occurred naturally, without the intervention of divine forces. Three of his epochal works on the origin of species and humans are still a reference book for modern scientists.
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865), the 16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in 1860 and spent two terms in this position. America is grateful to Lincoln for decreeing the abolition of slavery throughout the United States. President died April 15, 1864 after the attempt on his life. Americans still consider Abraham Lincoln the best president in the entire history of the United States and piously honor his memory.
Anna Pavlova (February 12, 1881 - January 23, 1931), the famous Russian ballerina
Since childhood, Anna Pavlova dreamed of ballet and achieved tremendous success. The dancing miniature “The Swan” (“The Dying Swan”), performed by her, became a symbol of Russian ballet. Anna Pavlova acquired world fame after the Russian Seasons in 1909. In 1914, Pavlova did not return from touring, but remained in England. A ballet dancer died while touring The Hague.
Vasily Chuikov (February 12, 1900 - March 18, 1982), Marshal of the Soviet Union, hero of the Battle of Stalingrad
Vasily Chuikov - a famous Soviet military leader, commander of the 62nd army in the Great Patriotic War. His army held the defense of Stalingrad for a long six months. For valor and bravery, the army was renamed the 8th Red Guard, and Vasily Chuykov commanded it until victory. In 1960, he was appointed Commander of the Ground Forces. Vasily Chuikov was buried in Volgograd. His last refuge was the foot of the monument "Motherland - mother", next to those for whom he was a personal example in battle and a friend during a short rest. We owe our heroes endlessly and the memory of them will live in our hearts.
Jean Effel (February 12, 1908 - October 16, 1982), French cartoonist, artist
Jean Effel - famous cartoonist, wrote on political, lyrical and religious themes. His masterpiece The Creation of the World is a collection of cartoons on the themes of the Old Testament. Based on the collection was written "Divine Comedy", translated into many languages of the world.
Name Day February 12
Vladimir, Ivan, Peter, Fedor, Vasily, Grigory, Maxim, Stepan.
