August 3: World Watermelon Day, International Day of the Blues
Kyiv • UNN
According to scientists, watermelons began to be grown in ancient Egypt. Watermelons first came to Europe during the Crusades. In the seventeenth century, they began to be grown in greenhouses and hotbeds in England.
Today, on August 3, all watermelon lovers can join an event dedicated to this berry. It is believed that Watermelon Day was first celebrated in the United States, and later this holiday spread around the world, UNN reports .
South Africa has long been considered the birthplace of watermelon. However, recent genetic studies have shown that watermelons originated in the northeastern part of Africa.
According to scientists, watermelons were first grown in ancient Egypt.
Watermelons first came to Europe during the Crusades. In the 17th century, they began to be grown in greenhouses and hotbeds in England.
Watermelon is 90% water, which is why it has an excellent diuretic effect. Watermelon also contains a lot of vitamin B9, which prevents liver disease.
The world's largest exporters of watermelons are Spain, Mexico, Morocco, Italy, and the United States.
Prior to the full-scale Russian invasion, more than 440,000 tons of watermelons were grown annually in Ukraine. About 40% of Ukraine's watermelon harvest came from Kherson region.
In recent years, Ukraine has become one of the top 30 exporters of watermelons.
On the first Saturday of August, fans of romantic music have the opportunity to celebrate the International Day of the Blues.
The blues is a genre of vocal and instrumental music that belongs mainly to jazz. The blues originated in the southern United States in the second half of the nineteenth century on the basis of African musical traditions.
On August 3, many countries around the world hold events dedicated to Carnation Syndrome Awareness Day.
Carnation syndrome is a rare congenital disease that manifests itself in childhood and is characterized by abnormalities in bones, joints, or blood vessels. The disease is caused by mutations in the PIK3CA gene. The earlier doctors can diagnose the symptoms, the more effective the treatment will be.
Currently, there are about 200 cases of this disease on the planet.
Another important event today is the International Alopecia Day.
Alopecia is a pathological hair loss that leads to its complete or partial disappearance on the head or body parts. This autoimmune disease affects about 2% of the world's population.
The most massive and mysterious case of alopecia in Ukraine (then the Ukrainian SSR) occurred in 1988 in the city of Chernivtsi.
In the first months of the year, 10 cases of alopecia in children aged 2-3 were recorded. However, no one paid attention to this at the time.
The first cases of alopecia in older children, which could be accompanied by respiratory tract inflammation, joint pain, and body rashes, began to be recorded in August.
According to some estimates, almost two thousand children suffered from alopecia at that time.
Officially, the version of poisoning with thallium compounds was announced. However, it was questioned by some Western scientists.
According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of the Monks Isaac, Dalmatus, and Favst.
All three lived in the fourth and fifth centuries, were ascetics, preachers, and theologians.
Today, Ivan, Anton, Dmitry, and Nikolai celebrate their name days.
