Nizhny Novgorod, April 22 – NTA-Privolzhye
April 22 Unites Earth Day, Name Days, and Quirky Traditions Worldwide
On April 22, people visited springs and natural wells, honoring an old tradition.
Every family had its own sacred spring—one they revered, carefully maintained, and drew water from with love. They would wash their faces and drink from it, believing it brought health and strength.
International Mother Earth Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2009, calls on humanity to recognize the fragility of Earth's ecosystems and treat the planet with greater care.
Today also marks a more specialized ecological observance: Spring and Well Day. The holiday traces its origins to 1991, when an international environmental conference in Costa Rica led to its creation.
Young Pioneer Admission Day also falls on April 22. In Soviet times, top students and outstanding pupils were inducted into the Young Pioneers on Lenin's birthday, while the rest joined on May 19, the anniversary of the All-Union Pioneer Organization.
And in a quirkier vein, today is the unofficial "professional" holiday of card sharps and cheats—if one can call it a profession. April 22 also celebrates Old Programmer's Day and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
Name days today: Akulina (from the Latin Aquilina, meaning "eagle-like") and Vadim (a Slavic name meaning "disputant" or "one who argues").
