What is celebrated on August 19 in Ukraine and around the world

On August 19, the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day and International Photography Day, UNN reports.

World Humanitarian Day

An international observance established by the UN to commemorate the humanitarian workers who died in the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003. The day's purpose is to honor those who risk their lives to help people affected by crises, wars, and disasters around the world.

International Photography Day (World Photography Day)

A popular holiday for professional and amateur photographers, dedicated to the anniversary of the presentation of daguerreotype technology, the predecessor of modern photography, by the French Academy of Sciences in 1839.

August Revolution Commemoration Day in Vietnam

A national commemorative date honoring the 1945 uprising that led to the seizure of power in Vietnam under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh and the proclamation of independence.

World Potato Day

Belgium and France traditionally dispute the right to claim the creation of crispy potato strips, linking their emergence to culinary traditions of the 18th century. Today, restaurants and food enthusiasts mark the date by experimenting with a variety of sauces, spices, and serving styles.

The Birthday of the Digitized Camera

The development of digital image capture was given impetus by the creation of the first electronic camera by Sony in 1981, which recorded images on special floppy disks. Although those early devices stored an analog signal on magnetic media, they laid the foundation for the creation of fully digital sensors in the 1990s. The advent of the "digital" era forever changed the approach to photography, freeing creators from the limitations of film and allowing them to instantly view, edit, and mass-produce images.

The Transfiguration of the Lord

According to the old calendar, on August 19, Christians of the Eastern rite celebrate one of the major holidays—the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. In popular tradition, this day is known as Apple Savior or the Second Savior. Traditionally, people bring apples, pears, grapes, honey, and ears of wheat to church to be blessed. It is believed that, before this holiday, people were not supposed to eat fresh apples from the new harvest. People also believed that whatever the weather was like on the Savior, the coming January winter would be the same.

Also, for those who follow the old calendar: on August 19, the memory of Saint Martyr Andrew Stratelates is commemorated. In popular tradition, this day was called "Andrew Stratelates" or "Andrew and Timon’s Day." Farmers finished harvesting winter crops and watched for morning fogs.