July 7: World Chocolate Day, Day of the Ukrainian Sea and River Fleet Workers
Kyiv • UNN
It is believed that the Aztecs were the first to learn how to make chocolate, and they gave it the name "food of the gods." For a long time, chocolate in Europe was consumed only by people from aristocratic circles. Women of that time considered this product an aphrodisiac and were convinced that it ignited the fire of passion.
Today, on July 7, all the world's sweet tooth can join the celebration of World Chocolate Day, UNN writes.
It is believed that the Aztecs were the first to learn how to make chocolate, and they gave it the name "food of the gods". In 1519, the Castilian conquistador and discoverer Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico. It was there that he first tasted a chocolate drink that the people of this tribe gave him as a sign of hospitality. Given the bitter nature of the drink, the Spaniards added cane sugar to it. Cortés and his countrymen dubbed the chocolate "black gold" and brought it to Europe.
For a long time, chocolate in Europe was consumed only by people from aristocratic circles. Women of that time considered this product an aphrodisiac and were convinced that it ignited the fire of passion. For a long time, chocolate was eaten only in liquid form.
It was only in the late nineteenth century, after the invention of the hydraulic press, that oil was extracted from cocoa beans and mixed with sugar and cocoa powder. Since then, chocolate has been produced in the form of bars.
Since 2015, on the first Sunday of July, Ukrainian maritime and river fleet workers have been celebrating their professional holiday.
Before the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine had 18 continental seaports, 13 river ports, and 4 fish ports, employing about 25,000 people. Sea and river ports handled more than 24,000 vessels annually.
Today is also the Day of the Nature Reserve Worker in Ukraine.
Before the war, the protected areas covered an area of about four million hectares, with 7,721 natural and 675 artificial objects.
Today is also the International Day of Peace and Love. The relatively young holiday, which was founded by the Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr
Starr was once asked what he wished himself for his birthday. Starr replied: "peace and love.
On July 7, 2008, on his birthday, Starr founded the Peace and Love Birthday Movement.
According to the church calendar, today is the Day of Remembrance of St. Thomas and St. Akakius.
From a young age, Toma and Akaki decided to dedicate their lives to the service of the Lord and took monastic vows.
The men were preachers and theologians, and they spent a lot of time in the desert praying.
Because of their humility and devotion to the Lord, they had the gift of healing.
On July 7, Thomas, Ostap, and Yevdokiya celebrate their name days.
