UWC Calendar: Historical Anniversaries and Significant Dates

August 1 – 98th Anniversary of the Founding of Prosvita in Argentina

On this day in 1924, the Ukrainian society “Prosvita” (Asociación Ukraina de Cultura PROSVITA) was formed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The head of the Board of Prosvita (Enlightenment) is the regional vice-president of the Ukrainian World Congress, Jorge Danylyszyn.

August 2 – Roma Holocaust Memorial Day

August 7 –  Day of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Day of the Air Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is celebrated on the first Sunday in August by virtue of the Presidential Decree of June 27, 2007.  On this day in 2022, Ukrainian pilots, together with soldiers of the anti-aircraft missile forces, continue to control the airspace, forcing the enemy to avoid approaching Ukraine’s borders.

August 9 –  Day of Indigenous Peoples

On the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, UWC draws attention to the problem of protecting the rights of those communities whose language, culture and traditional way of life are under threat of extinction.

Currently, at least 370 million people living in 70 countries of the world are considered indigenous peoples. In Ukraine, in addition to Ukrainians, the indigenous peoples are Crimean Tatars, Karaites, Krymchaks and Greeks of the Azov region.

August 12 – International Youth Day

This holiday was established by the United Nations in 1998. It is celebrated to raise issues relevant to young people: literacy, employment, security, etc. Previously, Ukraine celebrated Youth Day in June, but starting from January 1, 2022, it will be celebrated on August 12 in accordance with the Presidential Decree of July 28, 2021 No. −333/2021 “On Youth Day”.

August 21 – International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

This day is observed to honor and support victims of terrorism and to encourage protection for their human rights and freedoms. The UN General Assembly affirmed that the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law at the national level is a priority and that international scale is necessary to prevent and combat terrorism.

August 22 – International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

The UN General Assembly, in its resolution 73/296, declared August 22 as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, recognizing the importance of providing assistance and support to victims and their families. It strongly condemned all acts of violence against persons based on their religion or belief, and any such acts directed against their homes, businesses, property, schools, cultural centers or places of worship, and all attacks on religious sites, monuments and shrines that violate international law. 

August 23 –  National Flag Day of Ukraine

In honor of the centuries-old history of Ukrainian statehood, Ukraine’s National flag is celebrated as a state symbol of independent Ukraine.  In the course of historical achievements, Ukraine’s flag became a symbol of the struggle for the national and social rights of the Ukrainian people. The heart of every Ukrainian freezes when the national flag is raised. It embodies age-old aspirations for peace, work, beauty and wealth of the native land.

August 23 – European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Stalinism and Nazism

Known in some countries as Black Ribbon Day, this day commemorates the victims of totalitarian regimes including Stalinism, Communism, Nazism and Fascism. It is commemorated every year on August 23 and symbolizes the rejection of “extremism, intolerance and oppression”.

August 24 –  Independence Day of Ukraine

August 29 –  Day of Remembrance of Defenders of Ukraine

This day is observed annually in Ukraine to honor the memory of military personnel and members of volunteer formations who died in the struggle for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This date was chosen to commemorate the day of memory and heroism of the fallen defenders as it corresponds to the date of the 2014 Battle for Ilovaisk  in the east of Ukraine, when the Ukrainian army suffered great losses.

August 30 –  International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances

The Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances was established in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 65/209 of December 21, 2010. Every year on August 30, we remember the victims and their friends and families who experience the mental anguish of not knowing the fate of their loved ones. This year in Ukraine, we mourn for the thousands of enforced disappearances and deportations that russia inflicts to spread terror within Ukrainian society and to eliminate the Ukrainian nation.