![International Black Cat Day, World Stray Animal Day, Potato Day. What else can be celebrated on August 17](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723831397-4782-large.webp)
International Black Cat Day, World Stray Animal Day, Potato Day. What else can be celebrated on August 17
Kyiv • UNN
In the Middle Ages, a real hunt for black cats was launched in Western Europe. It was believed that black cats were the helpers of sorcerers and witches in their magical rituals.
Today, on August 17, all animal lovers can join the celebration of the International Black Cat Day, UNN reports.
The black cat was a talisman of sailors. Its presence on the ship almost always meant a successful voyage. The weather was determined by the cat's behavior. And, of course, cats were great at killing rodents.
For the Irish and Scots, black cats have been and will remain symbols of good luck.
Nevertheless, in the Middle Ages, a real hunt for black cats was launched in Western Europe. It was believed that black cats were the helpers of sorcerers and witches in their magical rituals.
It got to the point where in 1233 Pope Gregory IX declared black cats to be the devil incarnate. The animals were mercilessly caught and destroyed. But people did themselves a disservice by doing so. Due to the sharp decline in the cat population, rodents proliferated, leading to a terrible plague in the fourteenth century, which killed up to 60% of Europeans.
Also, today, on the third Saturday of August, animal rights activists in many countries of the world join the events on the occasion of the World Stray Animals Day.
The purpose of the holiday is to draw public attention to the difficulties faced by cats, dogs and other pets who find themselves on the streets, and to urge society to work towards the creation of sterilization laws and to create animal shelters.
Today, you can still celebrate Potato Day with a delicious meal. The event was founded in the United States but quickly became popular in many countries around the world.
It is believed that the inhabitants of modern Peru and Bolivia were the first to eat potatoes more than ten thousand years ago. They gradually cultivated this plant.
After the discovery of America, sailors brought potatoes to Europe. Not all ordinary peasants knew that the small potato berries were poisonous, which led to a large number of deaths, and it even went so far as to ban potato cultivation in France in the second half of the eighteenth century for 20 years.
In 2022, Ukraine ranked third in terms of potato yields, harvesting almost 21 million tons. By this indicator, our country was second only to China and India.
Ukraine also ranks third in the world in terms of per capita potato consumption, at over 130 kilograms per year.
August 17 is also Secondhand Day (Day of Secondhand Shops).
According to statistics, 70% of our planet's population has at least one second-hand item in their wardrobe.
According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyr Myron, who lived during the time of Emperor Decius.
Myron was a priest in the city of Achaea in Greece. According to legend, during the Christmas service, soldiers led by the local ruler burst into the church. The priest stood up for the believers. For this, he was captured, demanded to worship pagan gods, tortured for a long time and brutally, and then beheaded.
On August 17, Myron, Pavlo, Dmytro, and Ulyana celebrate their name days.
Popular
![Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723863897-3433-thumb.webp)
Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS
![Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723848283-1537-thumb.webp)
Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC
![Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs” Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs”](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723845789-1697-thumb.webp)
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs”
![russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723841288-1412-thumb.webp)
russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies
![99 combat engagements took place in the frontline, 37 of them in the Pokrovsk sector - General Staff 99 combat engagements took place in the frontline, 37 of them in the Pokrovsk sector - General Staff](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723840509-4241-thumb.webp)
99 combat engagements took place in the frontline, 37 of them in the Pokrovsk sector - General Staff
Publications
![Transparency in the selection of the head of the Deposit Guarantee Fund is one of the keys to receiving IMF financial assistance Transparency in the selection of the head of the Deposit Guarantee Fund is one of the keys to receiving IMF financial assistance](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723792900-4476-thumb.webp)
Transparency in the selection of the head of the Deposit Guarantee Fund is one of the keys to receiving IMF financial assistance
![Ukrainian Premier League: announcement of the third round, where to watch matches and who are the bookmakers' favorites Ukrainian Premier League: announcement of the third round, where to watch matches and who are the bookmakers' favorites](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/15/1723750962-3081-thumb.webp)
Ukrainian Premier League: announcement of the third round, where to watch matches and who are the bookmakers' favorites
![Internally displaced persons: how local authorities help people who fled their homes because of the war adapt to new conditions Internally displaced persons: how local authorities help people who fled their homes because of the war adapt to new conditions](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/15/1723718216-4683-thumb.webp)
Internally displaced persons: how local authorities help people who fled their homes because of the war adapt to new conditions
![ARMA spent almost 100,000 hryvnias on inspecting Medvedchuk's yacht in Croatia, which they were unable to sell ARMA spent almost 100,000 hryvnias on inspecting Medvedchuk's yacht in Croatia, which they were unable to sell](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/15/1723716922-1295-thumb.webp)
ARMA spent almost 100,000 hryvnias on inspecting Medvedchuk's yacht in Croatia, which they were unable to sellExclusive
![NABU Records: Anti-Corruption Effect or a Drop in the Ocean? NABU Records: Anti-Corruption Effect or a Drop in the Ocean?](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/15/1723709322-1642-thumb.webp)
NABU Records: Anti-Corruption Effect or a Drop in the Ocean?
![Russian strike on Sumy: rescuers show the consequences of arrival Russian strike on Sumy: rescuers show the consequences of arrival](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723875794-4949-thumb.webp)
Russian strike on Sumy: rescuers show the consequences of arrival
![At night, the alarm was sounded three times in the Kyiv region: air defense forces shot down targets, forest floor caught fire At night, the alarm was sounded three times in the Kyiv region: air defense forces shot down targets, forest floor caught fire](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723874869-4791-thumb.webp)
At night, the alarm was sounded three times in the Kyiv region: air defense forces shot down targets, forest floor caught fire
![All 14 enemy “shaheeds” were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night All 14 enemy “shaheeds” were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723874272-3052-thumb.webp)
All 14 enemy “shaheeds” were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night
![In addition to 1230 occupants, 58 artillery systems and 5 tanks were neutralized: General Staff updates data on enemy losses In addition to 1230 occupants, 58 artillery systems and 5 tanks were neutralized: General Staff updates data on enemy losses](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723872130-3546-thumb.webp)
In addition to 1230 occupants, 58 artillery systems and 5 tanks were neutralized: General Staff updates data on enemy losses
![Enemy attacks Mykolaiv region with FPV drones: three policemen injured Enemy attacks Mykolaiv region with FPV drones: three policemen injured](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723871148-4860-thumb.webp)
Enemy attacks Mykolaiv region with FPV drones: three policemen injured
![There is one enemy missile carrier in the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 4 “calibers” There is one enemy missile carrier in the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 4 “calibers”](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723867156-3233-thumb.webp)
There is one enemy missile carrier in the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 4 “calibers”
![Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723863897-3433-thumb.webp)
Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS
![Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723848283-1537-thumb.webp)
Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC
![Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs” Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs”](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723845789-1697-thumb.webp)
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs”
![russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723841288-1412-thumb.webp)
russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies
![Russian strike on Sumy: rescuers show the consequences of arrival Russian strike on Sumy: rescuers show the consequences of arrival](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723875794-4949-thumb.webp)
Russian strike on Sumy: rescuers show the consequences of arrival
![At night, the alarm was sounded three times in the Kyiv region: air defense forces shot down targets, forest floor caught fire At night, the alarm was sounded three times in the Kyiv region: air defense forces shot down targets, forest floor caught fire](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723874869-4791-thumb.webp)
At night, the alarm was sounded three times in the Kyiv region: air defense forces shot down targets, forest floor caught fire
![All 14 enemy “shaheeds” were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night All 14 enemy “shaheeds” were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723874272-3052-thumb.webp)
All 14 enemy “shaheeds” were destroyed in the sky over Ukraine at night
![In addition to 1230 occupants, 58 artillery systems and 5 tanks were neutralized: General Staff updates data on enemy losses In addition to 1230 occupants, 58 artillery systems and 5 tanks were neutralized: General Staff updates data on enemy losses](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723872130-3546-thumb.webp)
In addition to 1230 occupants, 58 artillery systems and 5 tanks were neutralized: General Staff updates data on enemy losses
![Enemy attacks Mykolaiv region with FPV drones: three policemen injured Enemy attacks Mykolaiv region with FPV drones: three policemen injured](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723871148-4860-thumb.webp)
Enemy attacks Mykolaiv region with FPV drones: three policemen injured
![There is one enemy missile carrier in the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 4 “calibers” There is one enemy missile carrier in the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 4 “calibers”](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723867156-3233-thumb.webp)
There is one enemy missile carrier in the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 4 “calibers”
![Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723863897-3433-thumb.webp)
Belarus plans to integrate its industry with enterprises in the TOT of Ukraine - CNS
![Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723848283-1537-thumb.webp)
Russians showed a video of the alleged head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Lubinets appeals to the UN and ICRC
![Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs” Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs”](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723845789-1697-thumb.webp)
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Russia's accusations of using “dirty bombs”
![russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723841288-1412-thumb.webp)
russia may be preparing a nuclear provocation terrorist attack, - head of the Center for Political Studies
![Japan to purchase equipment for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and hand it over to the SES Japan to purchase equipment for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and hand it over to the SES](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723827631-3595-thumb.webp)
Japan to purchase equipment for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and hand it over to the SES
![13 industrial parks have already been registered in Kyiv region 13 industrial parks have already been registered in Kyiv region](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723821281-4500-thumb.webp)
13 industrial parks have already been registered in Kyiv region
![Ukraine has launched a dashboard to monitor the implementation of the plan under the Ukraine Facility program Ukraine has launched a dashboard to monitor the implementation of the plan under the Ukraine Facility program](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723819385-1278-thumb.webp)
Ukraine has launched a dashboard to monitor the implementation of the plan under the Ukraine Facility program
![Ukrenergo: no power outages planned for tomorrow Ukrenergo: no power outages planned for tomorrow](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723818945-2027-thumb.webp)
Ukrenergo: no power outages planned for tomorrow
![MHP has finished harvesting early grain MHP has finished harvesting early grain](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723818091-4027-thumb.webp)
MHP has finished harvesting early grain
![Air alert announced in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine Air alert announced in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/17/1723867739-4594-thumb.webp)
Air alert announced in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine
![Air alert announced in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine Air alert announced in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723838266-2255-thumb.webp)
Air alert announced in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine
![A large-scale fire broke out in a high-rise building in Kyiv: 10 people and a cat were rescued A large-scale fire broke out in a high-rise building in Kyiv: 10 people and a cat were rescued](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723829735-2918-thumb.webp)
A large-scale fire broke out in a high-rise building in Kyiv: 10 people and a cat were rescued
![Church for military opened in Kyiv Cave Monastery Church for military opened in Kyiv Cave Monastery](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723817078-4924-thumb.webp)
Church for military opened in Kyiv Cave Monastery
![Preparations for the heating season are underway in Kyiv: 80% of the capital's buildings are ready for winter Preparations for the heating season are underway in Kyiv: 80% of the capital's buildings are ready for winter](https://img.unn.ua/img/2024/08/16/1723803984-3345-thumb.webp)