August 16: World Kite Day, Walnut Savior

Today, on August 16, everyone can join the World Kite Day, UNN reports.

The birthplace of kites is China, where they appeared about three thousand years ago. Kites were mostly made in the form of mythological creatures. Kites were also used to determine distances and for military purposes: for reconnaissance and to intimidate the enemy army.

According to another version, the first kites appeared on the territory of modern Malaysia. In any case, it was thanks to Asia that the world was introduced to kites.

It is not known exactly when kites arrived in Europe. In particular, there is a legend that in 907, during a campaign against Byzantium, the army of Kyivan Prince Oleg made kites in the form of horsemen to demoralize the enemy army.

As for the more realistic versions, it is known that the traveler Marco Polo, returning from China, left very accurate records dated 1295, in which he described the design of kites and the method of their launch,

At some point, kites began to be used for scientific purposes. In 1749, the Scottish meteorologist Alexander Wilson, while studying temperature fluctuations in the atmosphere, used a kite to raise thermometers to a height of 900 meters. Three years later, Benjamin Franklin used a kite to demonstrate the electrical nature of lightning.

Through experiments with kites, inventor George Cayley created the first glider.

Today, kites are mostly used in the entertainment industry. Sports models that can fly at speeds of more than 100 kilometers per hour are very popular. 

Today is also Men's Beauty Day (Men's Grooming Day). The event originated in 2007 at the initiative of an American company that specializes in the production of men's grooming products. It is a counterbalance to the stereotype that men should not take care of themselves too much.

August 16 is also the International Day of "Wave at the Surveillance Camera". It's a kind of humorous protest against total surveillance and protection of one's right to privacy. On this day, everyone is invited to wave at any surveillance device with a smile.

According to the church calendar, today Orthodox Christians celebrate the transfer of the non-man-made image of Jesus Christ to Constantinople.

According to the most common version of the origin of the feast, the king of Edessa, Hagar, fell ill with leprosy and was convinced that only Jesus could heal him.

One day, after washing, Jesus wiped himself with a towel, and his divine face was reflected on the canvas. The cloth itself became healing. It was handed over to Haggai, who was healed when he touched it. Other leprosy sufferers in the city also recovered. Haggai believed in the Lord and became a Christian. And the canvas with the Savior's image was kept in the local church for a long time.

In 944, Edessa was besieged by the army of Constantinople. In exchange for the lifting of the siege, the inhabitants gave the Man-made Image, which was placed in Constantinople in the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

People call this day the Nut or Bread Savior.

On this day, people would take nuts, wheat grains, and home-baked bread to church for blessing. You can also take honey, apples, and other fruits that were not consecrated on Honey and Apple Savior.

After church, people would invite guests to their homes and set the table. It was a good tradition to sell and buy various fabrics at fairs on this day. That's why today's Savior has a third name - the Cloth Savior. It was considered a bad omen to leave the fair empty-handed.

Also, wells and other sources of drinking water were blessed on Walnut Savior. From this day, you can start sowing winter crops.