World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

VHO - May 21st each year is globally celebrated as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, aiming to connect spiritual values ​​and build sustainable peace; this day also marks significant achievements in aviation, international human rights, and a series of political, military, and infrastructure events of special importance to Vietnam's development process.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Thai dance performance at the Muong Lo Culture and Tourism Festival. Photo: Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper.

In November 2001, the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.

In December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly further affirmed this strategic importance by issuing Resolution 57/249, deciding to designate May 21st as the annual global commemoration day.

Statistics from the United Nations show that over 75% of major conflicts in the world today stem from cultural differences. Therefore, building bridges between different value systems is an urgent task to combat extremism and build lasting peace.

For Vietnam, this day is a great opportunity to preserve the identity of its 54 ethnic groups, while simultaneously enhancing the nation's standing as it actively integrates with the world.

Over 3,000 workers at the Nam Dinh Textile Factory held a rally .

On May 21, 1954, more than 3,000 workers from the Nam Dinh Textile Factory, in coordination with people from all walks of life in the textile city, organized a large-scale rally.

The event quickly escalated into a massive and direct protest march across the central streets. A powerful wave of struggle erupted, vehemently opposing French colonialism and the deep intervention of the American imperialists in their plot to expand and prolong the war of aggression throughout Indochina.

This show of force played a profound supporting role, demonstrating the solidarity of the home front towards the diplomatic front, and pledging absolute support for the Delegation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam that was directly fighting at the Geneva Conference.

Vietnam Forest Protection Force Founding Day

On May 21, 1973, the Government Council officially issued Decree No. 101/CP to establish a tightly structured organizational system, legal functions, and core powers of the People's Forest Protection Force. This important legal document became the foundation for the birth of the Vietnamese Forest Protection Force.

Born amidst the critical phase of the resistance war against the US, this fledgling force immediately deployed its mission to protect forests, prevent indiscriminate logging, and safeguard national forest resources.

Having spent over 50 years stationed in the deep forests and high mountains, this force has become a solid shield protecting biodiversity and preventing forest fires, contributing to maintaining the green lungs of the forest and promoting sustainable development of the forestry economy.

My Thuan Bridge inaugurated.

Construction of the My Thuan Bridge began in July 1997, and it was officially inaugurated and put into operation on May 21, 2000. This is Vietnam's first large-scale cable-stayed bridge, with a total length of over 1.5 km and a width of nearly 24 m, providing four lanes for simultaneous motorized traffic.

The bridge spans the Tien River, connecting the former Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces at a strategic gateway location, 125 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City on the vital National Highway 1A.

The construction of the My Thuan Bridge completely eliminated the long-standing problem of rivers separating markets and the reliance on ferries, thereby promoting the smooth flow of goods and trade and fundamentally transforming the economic landscape of the Mekong Delta.

Abolishing slavery in Colombia

May 21, 1851 became a landmark date in international human rights history when slavery was officially declared abolished in Colombia under President José Hilario López.

Although this decision faced strong resistance from conservative forces, leading to a brief civil war, the liberal side ultimately won, protecting the achievements of human liberation.

To this day, May 21st has been chosen by Colombia as the National Day to honor the culture and contributions of the African American community (Día de la Afrocolombrianidad), a global symbol of the struggle for freedom and racial equality.

The transatlantic feat of female pilot Amelia Earhart

On May 21, 1932, American female pilot Amelia Earhart successfully landed in Northern Ireland, completing a historic flight that departed from Newfoundland, Canada.

Having completed a solo journey of over 3,200 km in nearly 15 hours aboard a Lockheed Vega 5B, she brilliantly became the first woman to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean.

This extraordinary achievement earned Amelia Earhart the prestigious Congressional Flying Cross. More importantly, her success shattered rigid gender stereotypes, affirming the extraordinary capabilities of women in aviation and engineering.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-gioi/ngay-the-gioi-ve-da-dang-van-hoa-vi-doi-thoai-va-phat-trien-230033.html