International Day of Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners and Submarine Day: What else is celebrated on April 11

Today, April 11, humanity celebrates the International Day of Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners to honor the memory of people who fell victim to one of humanity's most horrific inventions. On this day, Christians also honor the memory of the Holy Martyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum of Asia, reports UNN.

International Day of Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners

This date was established in memory of the uprising of prisoners in the Buchenwald concentration camp, which took place on April 11, 1945. The prisoners managed to take control of the camp, and on the same day, American troops entered it.

The system of concentration camps built by Nazi Germany is one of the most horrific and hideous things that humanity has reached. Criminal acts against prisoners included executions in gas chambers, burning in furnaces, medical experiments, humiliation, abuse, starvation and extremely hard labor.

Political opponents of the Nazi regime, prisoners of war, people with congenital diseases, participants in the Resistance movements in the territories conquered by the Germans, as well as representatives of those peoples whom the Germans considered inferior on racial grounds, in particular Jews and Roma, ended up in concentration camps. The number of Ukrainians who were tortured in Nazi concentration camps is estimated at at least half a million people. However, this figure may be much higher.

Submarine Day

The first submarine, as a means of diving, was presented to the English King James I by the Dutch engineer Cornelius Drebbel in 1620. This device was intended to explore the Thames. However, the era of underwater navigation started on April 11, 1900, when the American government launched the submarine USS Holland.

Submarines have become an important element of naval forces since the American Civil War (1861–1865). Their use in combat conditions forced the development of new technical solutions to improve their characteristics. Today, submarines are an integral part of the naval fleets of many countries. The first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, was launched in 1954 and became a landmark achievement in technology. The nuclear reactor allowed the boat to stay underwater for a long time. The crew did not have to worry about running out of fuel.

World Parkinson's Day

In 1755, this disease was discovered by the English doctor James Parkinson. It is a disorder that mainly affects the neurons of the brain that produce dopamine. The disease is constantly progressing and leads to impaired coordination, motor disorders, speech disorders, and tremors at rest. This disease can also affect mood, way of thinking, and memory. However, timely diagnosis and therapy can alleviate symptoms, somewhat delay the progression of the disease and help maintain the quality of life of a person.

According to data contained in the electronic healthcare system (EHealth), 56,135 people in Ukraine have been diagnosed with this.

No one is immune to Parkinson's disease. This disorder was experienced by such famous people as rock musician Ozzy Osbourne, the lead actor in "Back to the Future" actor Michael J. Fox, the world-famous boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Scottish actor Billy Connolly, who is known for his roles in the films "Lemony Snicket: 33 Misfortunes" and "White Oleander", Pope John Paul II and many others.

World Oatmeal Festival

Every year on the second Friday of April, the American city of St. George celebrates its own three-day holiday called the World Oatmeal Festival. The event was started by a local supermarket employee, Bill Hunter, who noticed active sales of oatmeal in St. George and decided to tell the world about it. He also wanted to remind Americans of the importance of healthy eating.

Traditionally, for the World Oatmeal Festival, the residents of the city organize various competitions using oatmeal porridge, taste delicious dishes, dance and have fun. The winners of the "oatmeal" competitions receive a scholarship.

Oatmeal reduces cholesterol levels, normalizes blood pressure, boosts immunity, protects against depression, adds energy, reduces the risk of colon cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Antipas

By his example, firm faith and unceasing preaching about Christ, Saint Antipas achieved that the inhabitants of Pergamum began to refuse sacrifices to idols. Pagan priests reproached the bishop for turning the people away from worshiping the old gods and demanded that he stop preaching about Christ and offer sacrifices to idols.

Saint Antipas calmly replied that he would not begin to serve false gods who run away from him, a mortal man, and that he worships and will worship the Lord. Enraged priests dragged the Holy Martyr Antipas into the temple of Artemis and threw him into a red-hot copper bull, where victims were usually thrown to idols. The man bravely accepted death. Later, Christians buried his body, which, according to legend, was not damaged by fire at all.