November 8: What holiday is celebrated today and the key events taking place.

On Friday, November 8, a number of holidays are celebrated in Ukraine and around the world. Additionally, several significant events occurred on this day in history.

November 8 is celebrated as World Pianist Day in Ukraine and worldwide. Although this holiday is unofficial, musicians and piano music enthusiasts globally take part to acknowledge the contribution of pianists to the art of music. The idea of the celebration arose from the desire to give pianists more attention and recognition for their skill and efforts. The chosen date coincides with the birthday of the famous composer and pianist Franz Liszt, whose impact on piano music is invaluable. This holiday provides an opportunity to enjoy classical and contemporary piano works while also supporting young pianists in their creative journeys.

Also on November 8, it is International Day of Puns. Puns, or wordplay, are a form of humor that utilizes double meanings of words or their sounds to create witty or amusing sayings. This holiday has gained popularity due to pun enthusiasts on social media, where they actively share wordplay and funny jokes. The aim of International Day of Puns is not only to create a light-hearted atmosphere but also to demonstrate that wordplay can be a form of creativity that enhances language skills and imagination. On this day, online pun marathons, contests for the best joke, and sharing of witticisms on social media are common as people seek to delight one another.

Moreover, November 8 is International Intersex Solidarity Day. This significant international holiday raises awareness about the rights and needs of intersex individuals, as well as the challenges they face in society. The day was initiated to increase understanding of intersex people, their identities, and lives, while emphasizing the need to protect their rights. Intersex individuals are those born with biological sex characteristics (genitals, chromosomes, hormones) that do not always fit typical definitions of "male" or "female" bodies. They are often stigmatized or subjected to unwarranted medical interventions without consent, especially during childhood. This day serves as an opportunity to highlight the ethical issues arising in this area and to promote acceptance of intersex individuals as they are.

On November 8, World Wifi Day is also celebrated. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of disconnecting from the internet to dedicate time to face-to-face communication, relaxation, and personal development without the constant checking of gadgets. Dependence on Wi-Fi and the internet is a common phenomenon in modern society, and many individuals experience "digital stress" due to constant online presence. World Wifi Day encourages people to set aside their gadgets for a day and enjoy offline moments. This can be a great opportunity to connect with family and friends, take a walk in nature, read, or engage in a favorite hobby.

Additionally, November 8 is International Day of Radiology (X-ray Day). This day was established in 2012 and is conducted under the initiative of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The date was chosen to commemorate the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen on November 8, 1895 — a revolutionary breakthrough for medicine.

Furthermore, November 8 marks World Town Planning Day. This day was initiated in 1949 by Argentine professor Carlos María Dellepiane, who aimed to draw attention to the importance of proper urban planning for ensuring the comfort and quality of life for people. The goal of World Town Planning Day is to raise awareness about the significance of city planning and the impact of urbanization on society, ecology, and the economy. Urbanization affects how we live, work, and move about, and effective town planning is crucial for many aspects of our daily lives: access to infrastructure, green spaces, transportation, and housing. In modern conditions, particular attention is given to sustainable development, meaning city designs that do not harm the environment and consider the needs of future generations.

What is the church holiday today?

On November 8, the church calendar commemorates the Feast of the Archangel Michael. The Feast of the Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Hosts is dedicated to honoring Archangel Michael and all heavenly powers serving God and humanity. Archangel Michael is one of the most revered archangels, acting as a defender of faith and a champion of truth. In Christian tradition, he leads the heavenly army in battle against evil. His name means "Who is like God?", highlighting his strength and devotion to the Lord.

Calendar of important events for November 8:

1090 — Metropolitan Ephrem consecrates St. Michael's Cathedral in Pereiaslav;

1519 — Hernán Cortés arrives in Tenochtitlan;

1793 — The Louvre opens to the public;

1867 — The opera "Askold's Grave" by Alexei Verstovsky begins the first season in the permanent opera theater in Kyiv (now the National Opera of Ukraine);

1895 — Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen invents X-rays during experiments with electricity;

1909 — The founding meeting of the Kyiv Society of Aeronautics takes place;

1918 — In Prešov, Transcarpathian Ukrainians establish the Russian National Council;

1923 — Hitler makes an unsuccessful coup attempt in Munich;

1927 — The Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station with a capacity of 650,000 horsepower is laid;

1935 — The Literary and Memorial Museum of M. M. Kotsyubynsky is opened in Chernihiv;

1960 — John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th President of the USA;

1975 — An anti-government uprising begins on the ship "Storozevoy" in Riga;

1988 — George Herbert Walker Bush becomes the 41st President of the USA;

1997 — A monument to the victims of communist crimes is unveiled in Lviv;

1999 — Pope John Paul II visits Georgia for the first time in papal history;

2016 — Donald Trump becomes the 45th President of the USA, defeating Hillary Clinton;

2020 — The last flight departs from Berlin Tegel Airport (Air France Airbus A320 Paris – Berlin).