August 1: International Breastfeeding Day, World Lung Cancer Day, Honey Savior

Today, on August 1, many countries are celebrating the International Day of Breastfeeding and Lactation, UNN reports .

The event was initiated by the World Alliance to Support Breastfeeding and was first celebrated in 1992.

After the advent of milk powder production technology, infant formula gradually became more and more popular. In contrast, fewer and fewer mothers preferred to breastfeed their babies.

In 1990, UNICEF adopted the Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding to promote breastfeeding and prove its advantages over formula feeding.

Since then, August 1 marks the beginning of World Breastfeeding Week, which is joined annually by people from more than 150 countries. During this week, various events are held to promote infant feeding.

Today's event is in contrast to the International Breastfeeding Day - International Childfree Day.

The core of the Childfree movement is made up of women who consciously do not want to have children. They believe that pregnancy and childbirth can have a negative impact on women's health. Raising children hinders their career growth and the ability to lead a fulfilling life.

The movement's activists also appeal to the fear of passing on hereditary diseases to children and the overpopulation of the planet. They also claim that they are not promoting their lifestyle, but want their choice to be treated with respect

The International Guide Dog Week starts on August 1.

There are references to dogs accompanying blind people in writings and chronicles from as far back as BC. The first schools for professional training of guide dogs appeared after the First World War in Germany. At that time, there was a need to accompany a large number of veterans who had lost their sight during the fighting.

Today you can also join the Universal Birthday of homeless animals.

The event was launched in 1992 to draw attention to the problems of animals that ended up on the streets due to irresponsibility, ignorance or cruelty of people.

This year, the Day of Environmental Debt falls on August 1.

The event was initiated by the Global Footprint Network and was first celebrated in 1987.

According to the network's research, in 1961, humanity used only 30% of the resources that the Earth can reproduce in a year. By 1971, humanity had used more than 100% of these resources, and from that point on, according to the researchers, it began to live in debt.

Accordingly, Ecological Debt Day does not have a fixed date. Representatives of the Global Footprint Network calculate it based on a special ecological debt calendar that demonstrates how quickly each country uses the Earth's natural resources. The day when the rate of resources used reaches 100% becomes the Day of Ecological Debt, because from the next day on, humanity is in debt to the Earth.

On August 1, many countries around the world held events to mark World Lung Cancer Day.

Lung cancer is one of the most insidious diseases, as its main symptoms often do not manifest themselves in the early stages. About 70% of patients learn of their diagnosis at the III-IV stage, when most treatments are already ineffective.

According to statistics, lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. According to the WHO, about two million people die of lung cancer every year.

According to the New Julian Church calendar, today is the Honey Savior and the beginning of the Dormition Fast, which will end on the eve of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

According to Christian tradition, this day is associated with the bringing out of the holy bones of the life-giving Cross of the Lord. In the thirteenth and ninth centuries, it was in mid-August that epidemics began to intensify in Constantinople, claiming the lives of many people.

One day the priests took the remains of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified and went around the city with them, and then blessed the water bodies. And a miracle happened - after bathing in the consecrated water, people began to recover.

The beekeepers started harvesting honey in mid-August. The first honey had to be blessed in church.

Also, the first of August is the day of remembrance of the seven Maccabean martyrs-Avim, Antoninus, Hurius, Eleazar, Eusebius, Alim, and Markellus, as well as their mother Solomia and their teacher Eleazar.

According to legend, in the second century BCE, the then ruler of Judea decided to revive paganism. Eleazar, Solomia, and her sons strongly opposed this. For this they were brutally killed. The sons were executed in front of their mother.

Makar, Timothy, Anton, Fedir, and Sofia celebrate their name days on August 1.