While the whole world on August 5 celebrates the invention that forever changed the rules of the road — International Traffic Light Day, Croatia is celebrating Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day on a large scale. In Ukraine, however, given the two church calendars, this day is filled with rich folk customs: from honoring the Pochayiv Icon of the Mother of God according to the old style to preparing for the Transfiguration and the feast of "Yevstihnei Zhytnyk" according to the new one, reports UNN.
International Traffic Light Day
A significant holiday for motorists and pedestrians around the world. It was on August 5, 1914, in the American city of Cleveland, Ohio, that the world's first electric traffic light was installed, which had only two signals — red and green, and emitted a loud sound signal when switching. This day is a great opportunity to remind about the importance of following traffic rules and safety on the streets.
Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Defenders' Day in Croatia (Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti)
One of the most important and most emotional national holidays of Croatia. It is celebrated in honor of the successful completion of the military operation "Storm" (Oluja) on August 5, 1995, when Croatian forces liberated the city of Knin and regained control over a significant part of their territory, putting an end to the separatist Republic of Serbian Krajina.
Work Like a Dog Day
This unusual holiday aims to honor people who are distinguished by extraordinary diligence, determination, and give 100% to achieve their goals. It is a day of respect for workaholics.
National Underwear Day
A popular unofficial holiday in the United States, founded in 2003 by the brand Freshpair. It encourages people not to be ashamed of their bodies, to value comfort, and is even considered a day of promoting body positivity.
National Oyster Day
A refined gastronomic holiday dedicated to the popular seafood delicacy. Today, gourmets around the world hold oyster tastings, pairing them with white wine or champagne.
Forefeast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the memory of the martyr Eusignius of Antioch
According to the new calendar, on August 5, believers begin to prepare for the great twelfth feast — the Transfiguration (which is now celebrated on August 6). They also commemorate Saint Eusignius, who lived in the 3rd-4th centuries. In folk tradition, this day was called "Yevstihnei Zhytnyk." Our ancestors went out to the fields on this day and "called the stubble," asking the earth to preserve strength for future harvests. The traditional dish of August 5 was bread with salt and raw onion — it was believed that such a snack adds health, cleanses the body, and protects against colds on the eve of autumn.
For those who follow the old calendar: August 5 is the Feast of the Pochayiv Icon of the Mother of God — one of the most famous and revered miracle-working icons in Ukraine, which is a symbol of protection from enemies. Also on this day, the memory of the martyrs Trofim and Theophilus is honored. In the folk tradition, the day was called "Trofim Bessonnyk" or "Kalynnyky-Malynnyky." The name "Bessonnyk" appeared because the first half of August is the time of the hardest and most intense harvest, when peasants worked in the fields from dawn to dusk, having almost no time for sleep. At the same time, the active collection of viburnum and raspberries began in the forests, from which preparations were made for the winter.