DAY 1037 RUSSIAN AGGRESSION - ДЕНЬ 1037 РОССИЙСКАЯ АГРЕССИЯ
On December 26, Gift Day and International Croupier Day are celebrated.
In Slovenia, Independence and Unity Day is observed.
The Orthodox Church commemorates the Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God and Saint Joseph the Betrothed.
Catholics celebrate Saint Stephen's Day.
Gift Day
Gift Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and several countries of the British Commonwealth: Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, the day after Christmas — December 26.
This day is characterized by massive sales in large and small stores. On Gift Day, one can purchase any desired item for half price.
The holiday originated from the custom of giving money and gifts to people of lower social status. Gifts among peers were exchanged on Christmas Eve, while the less fortunate received theirs last. Gifts were presented in boxes, hence the name — Boxing Day.
In several countries, Gift Day is filled with significant sporting events. In Melbourne, Australia, a test match takes place at the main cricket ground, in Sydney, the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins, which is considered an icon of Australian summer sports and rivals popular events such as the Davis Cup (tennis) and the Melbourne Cup (horse racing).
In the UK and the USA, Gift Day is a crucial day for fox hunting enthusiasts, as it sees the highest number of hunting meets organized. Every year on December 26, the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation, kicks off, and matches from one of the rounds of the top leagues in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are held. In Commonwealth African nations, professional boxing matches take place.
International Croupier Day
International Croupier Day is celebrated annually on December 26. The need for this profession arose with the establishment of the first gambling houses over 300 years ago.
Workers at gaming houses and casinos who monitored the games, paid out winnings, or collected bets were known as croupiers.
Also on this day:
1908 - Jack Johnson became the first African American to win the world heavyweight boxing title by defeating Canadian Tommy Burns by knockout in the 14th round of a fight held in Sydney, Australia;
1918 - The restoration of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) was proclaimed, and the government of the state, the Council of People's Ministers of the UPR, was formed;
1919 - The government of the UPR recalled the Ukrainian mission from the Paris Peace Conference;
1931 - The automobile company Dat Jidosha Seizo was founded in Tokyo, renamed "Nissan" the following year. The company's first products were cars and trucks marketed under the Datsun brand;
1935 - An attempt was made to stop a volcanic eruption in the Hawaiian Islands using aerial bombardment;
1991 - The National Bank of Ukraine registered "Expobank" as a commercial bank (registration No. 75);
2004 - A re-vote of the second round on December 26, 2004, was held in Ukraine, resulting in victory for Viktor Yushchenko;
2023 - The Russian landing ship Novorossiysk took to the air.
Born on this day:
175 years since the birth of Pavel Ivanovich Bogdanov (1849-1894), a Ukrainian amateur singer and educator.
Church Holiday
Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God
This Orthodox holiday is celebrated on the second day after Christmas. On this day, the Mother of God, who gave birth to the Savior of the world, and all those close to her and Jesus Christ are honored. The day is called a feast because it unites all believers in the common veneration of the Mother of God.
The Feast of the Most Holy Mother of God has ancient origins. This day received its name because it is when the collective commemoration of those close to the Virgin Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ occurs. Along with the Mother of God, those who were close to the Savior are remembered on this day: Saint Joseph the Betrothed, King David, and Saint James, who accompanied the Holy Mother and the infant Jesus during their flight to Egypt.
Saint Stephen's Day
Saint Stephen's Day is celebrated by the Catholic Church in many European countries on December 26, the second day after Christmas. In several countries, it is a national holiday and an official day off.
The first Christian martyr, Archdeacon Stephen, was one of seven apostles chosen by Apostle Peter to assist the poor and preach Christianity. He met a martyr's death (Stephen was stoned) around 34 AD.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr and suffered for Christ at around the age of 30.
Name Days: Luke, Stephen, Theodore, Antonina.