December 8 – Constitution Day in Uzbekistan

Posted on December 8, 2017

On this date in 1992, Uzbekistan adopted its constitution.

Even though it's been almost three decades since Uzbekistan declared independence from the U.S.S.R., the nation is only on its second president. That's because the country's first president - who was ruling the Soviet republic that existed before independence - ruled from 1989 until his death last year. There were a lot of reports of human rights abuses and electoral shenanigans under that president, and freedom of the press was very shaky.

Dare we hope that things are getting better?

Actually, things DO seem to be getting better!

Uzbekistan's second president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has already ended some of the bad policies from his predecessor. For example, Mirziyoyev abolished cotton slavery - citizens being forced to leave their homes and regular jobs to pick cotton, in dangerous working conditions. He also abolished exit visas - citizens having to ask their nation permission to leave for even short vacations or visits. He also released a lot of political prisoners - people who were in prison just for disagreeing with the president or the government.

Keep on with the good work, Mr. Mirziyoyev! Go, Uzbekistan!

Check out these wonderful sights in Uzbekistan:

As usual, water is a welcome sight - even (or especially?) in a doubly landlocked nation!

There is amazing architecture, especially in Muslim holy places. 

There are also ancient ruins, including Buddhist stupas. And I love me an olden-days walled city!

And I ESPECIALLY love rock formations!

Sometimes it's nice to just chill with some camels:

Also on this date:

Artist Diego Rivera's birthday 

Anniversary of a lemon-squeezing device

Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day

Blessing of the Waters Day in Uruguay

Scientist Jan Ingenhousz's birthday

Rock musician Jim Morrison's birthday

Battle of Falkland Islands Day

Plan ahead:

Check out my Pinterest pages on:

• December holidays 
• December birthdays
• Historical anniversaries in December

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

• January holidays 
• January birthdays 
• Historical anniversaries in January
  
  
  
  

September 1, 2011 - Uzbekistan

This is a beautiful

example of Uzbek 

embroidery on silk.

– Independence Day

Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country. You probably already know that a landlocked country is one that does not border on an ocean or sea. A doubly landlocked nation is one that borders only on landlocked nations. In other words, no matter what direction you go from Uzbekistan, you have to go through two nations to reach an ocean or a sea!

Uzbek kids

Right now there are only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. The second is Liechtenstein in Europe.

Why is being landlocked a disadvantage? (And being doubly landlocked a double disadvantage?) Well, it cuts the nation off from sea resources such as fishing, but more importantly, it cuts the nation off from sea-going trade. Even these days, most international trade happens by sea. The cost of imported goods is far higher in landlocked nations, and landlocked countries are more dependent on their neighboring countries.

Much of Uzbekistan is

dry, including the 

Kyzyl Kum Desert.

Uzbekistan is one of the countries that declared independence as the Soviet Union broke up in 1991. On this day Uzbeks may go to parks or set up bazaars where they can sample local delicacies such as kurt , which are sour dried milk balls, and samsa, which are meat pies. Eurasianet has some photos of Uzbek on Independence Day. 

Naturally, there are some 

lakes and rivers in the nation!

November 18, 2009

Celebrations in Uzbekistan, Morocco, Latvia, Oman, Haiti, and the Wonderful World of Disney!

Flag Day – Uzbekistan – This country is doubly landlocked. What does that mean? Well, a landlocked country is one that does not border on any ocean or non-landlocked sea. A doubly landlocked country is a landlocked country that is bordered only by other landlocked nations. In other words, those in a doubly landlocked country must pass two national borders before they reach a coast...There is only one other doubly landlocked country in the world. What is it? (Answer at the bottom of the posting.)

Independence Day – Morocco – This African country was the first nation to recognize the United States as an independent nation, in 1777. The leader of Morocco declared that all American merchant ships would be under the protection of the sultanate; this is the U.S.'s oldest non-broken friendship treaty.


National Day – Latvia – This Baltic country in Northeastern Europe has a rich traditional folklore with folk songs that date back over a thousand years. More than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies of folk songs (dainas) have been identified. Some of the songs have to do with Latvian mythology and The Godskeepers (Dievturi) religion. Latvians dainas often feature a droning singing style and zithers.

National Day – Oman – This Arab country is home to Wattayah, which is a Stone Age settlement around 10,000 years old. Scientists discovered stone tools, animal bones, shells, and fire hearths at this site.








Vertieres' Day – Haiti – This day commemorates the last large battle of the Haitian Revolution (or War of Independence) against French troops, in 1803. Haiti is the first Latin American country to become independent, and it is the only nation on earth to win its independence in a slave rebellion. It's also one of only two independent nations in the Americas that has French as one of its official languages. What's the other country?

Mickey Mouse's Birthday – The Wonderful World of Disney – Born in 1928, Mickey Mouse is 81 years old today! (His first cartoon with synchronized sound, Steamboat Willie, was released on 11/18/28.) Mickey was almost named “Mortimer,” but Walt Disney's wife suggested “Mickey.”



Celebrate today by...

• Finding Uzbekistan, Morocco, Latvia, Oman, and Haiti on the globe.

• Making a Mickey Mouse cake. (Split one of the two layers of a round cake in half, and arrange as ears above the the uncut circle / head.)

• For teens and adults, watch the movie Casablanca (Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco) and listen to “The Marrakesh Express” by Crosby, Stills and Nash (Marrakesh is the third largest city in Morocco). (By the way, the lyrics to the song mention djellabas, which are traditional Moroccan hooded robes.

• Aside from Antarctica (which has no countries) and Australia (which is a single country), there is only one continent that does not have any landlocked nations. Which continent?...Try to find at least one landlocked nation in each of the other four continents. (Suggested answers at bottom of post.)

• Enjoy folk songs. Some can be heard here.

• Learn some French words. Try using this website, or this one.

• Explore early (Stone Age) art.

• Make “cave art” on your computer by downloading a cave-wall background and using your Paint program to create a picture on it.

ANSWERS:
Liechtenstein in Central Europe is the other doubly landlocked nation.
Canada is the only other country in the Americas that has French as one of its official languages.
North America has no landlocked countries.
Bolivia and Paraguay, both in South America, are landlocked.
Nepal, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Laos, and Mongolia, all in Asia, are landlocked.
Central African Republic, Chad, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Ethiopia, all in Africa, are landlocked.
Switzerland, Luxembourg, Andorra, the Czech Republic, Armenia, Belarus, and Hungary, all in Europe, are landlocked.
Other countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe are landlocked as well as those listed; as of 2008, there were 44 landlocked nations in the world.