Highlights of May 17th

- On May 17, 1958, President Ho Chi Minh officially moved into and worked in the stilt house within the Presidential Palace grounds. May 17 is also the traditional day of the predecessor unit, Thanh An 195 Company, belonging to the 11th Army Corps - the force directly responsible for constructing President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house in the Presidential Palace. May 17 is also celebrated annually as International Day Against LGBT Discrimination (IDAHOT)...

Uncle Ho stayed in the stilt house within the Presidential Palace.

President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house in the Presidential Palace. Photo: Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site at the Presidential Palace.

On May 17, 1958, President Ho Chi Minh officially moved into and began working in the stilt house within the Presidential Palace grounds. From then until his death in 1969, this place became his living and working space, closely associated with the simple image of the leader.

The stilt house, designed in the traditional Viet Bac architectural style, consists of two small wooden floors nestled amidst a garden and fish pond. The lower floor served as a meeting place for the Politburo and a reception area; the upper floor contained a simple bedroom and office. Simple items such as a rustic wooden bed, a palm leaf fan, a small radio, and rubber sandals are still preserved today.

Uncle Ho's refusal to live in the Presidential Palace and his choice of a small house symbolized his lifestyle of being close to the people, thrifty, and simple.

The mark of the unit that built President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house.

May 17th is also the traditional day of the predecessor unit, Thanh An 195 Company, belonging to the 11th Army Corps - the force directly responsible for constructing President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house in the Presidential Palace.

According to military logistics records, the construction was completed on May 17, 1958, after a period of intensive work. On the same day, President Ho Chi Minh moved in to live and work there. Since then, the unit has continuously undertaken the task of maintaining and restoring the stilt house complex and the landscape of the historical site for many years.

From a small construction team under the General Department of Logistics, the unit developed into a military construction enterprise making significant contributions to barracks and defense projects. To this day, the construction of President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house remains the most special milestone in the unit's tradition.

Nghe An shoots down the 1,900th American plane.

On May 17, 1967, the army and people of Nghe An shot down the 1,900th American plane over North Vietnam during the resistance war against the US.

At that time, Nghe An was a key area frequently subjected to bombing raids due to its location on the strategic transport route supplying the Southern battlefield. A widespread people's air defense network was organized with the participation of regular troops, militia, and local people.

The milestone of the "1,900th aircraft" holds great spiritual significance, reflecting the increasingly high combat effectiveness of the North Vietnamese air defense forces during the fierce escalation of the war. It also symbolizes the people's war strategy, where many villages, factories, and schools simultaneously engaged in production and directly participated in fighting to protect the rear.

International Day Against LGBT Discrimination

May 17th each year is designated by the international community as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

This day commemorates the 1990 event when the World Health Organization officially removed "homosexuality" from its list of mental illnesses. This is considered a major turning point in global awareness of human rights and gender diversity.

IDAHOT Day was first held in 2004 to raise awareness about discrimination, prejudice, and violence against the LGBT community.

In Vietnam, activities in support of gender equality began to appear around 2011, alongside a more open social awareness of gender and sexual orientation.

Today, May 17th holds significance not only for the LGBT community but also serves as an occasion to emphasize respect for differences and equality in modern society.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

May 17th is also World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, initiated by the International Telecommunication Union.

The event commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union in 1865 – one of the world's oldest intergovernmental organizations. In the current context, May 17th is not only associated with traditional telecommunications but also relates to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and access to information.

Many countries organize workshops and forums on developing digital infrastructure, bridging the technology gap, and promoting a comprehensive digital society. In Vietnam, this day is often associated with programs promoting digital government, the digital economy, and internet access.

This event reflects humanity's remarkable journey of development from the age of the telegraph to the era of data and global connectivity.

Henri Barbusse - a famous French anti-war writer.

May 17, 1873 is the birthday of Henri Barbusse, a famous French writer considered a leading figure of European socialist realist literature in the early 20th century.

He is best known for his novel Le Feu (The Fire), a work that directly reflects the brutality of World War I from the perspective of a soldier in the trenches. The book was a huge success and is considered one of the most important anti-war works of modern French literature.

Beyond his literary activities, Barbusse was also actively involved in the left-wing movement and joined the French Communist Party in 1923. He repeatedly spoke out against war and supported national liberation movements in the colonies.

Henri Barbusse's name is associated with the image of an intellectual committed to peace and social justice.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/dau-an-ngay-17-5.html