December 28th is a day celebrated in Ukraine and around the world, combining several events—church, cultural, and symbolic—with a celebration of the tragic pages of Christian history, the birth of cinema, and a reminder of the value of time at the end of the year.
Church holiday December 28
Today, believers commemorate the holy 2,000 martyrs burned at the stake in Nicodemus. The events mentioned in church tradition date back to 303–304, the period of the so-called Great Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire under the reigns of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian.
Christians were forced to renounce their faith, temples were demolished, and holy books were destroyed. People were tortured or executed for refusing to offer sacrifices to pagan gods. According to legend, about two thousand believers — men, women, and children — gathered in one of the temples of Nicodemus to pray. The building was surrounded by soldiers and set on fire, giving people no chance to escape. This day is a symbol of steadfast faith and sacrifice.
International Film Day
December 28th is celebrated around the world as International Cinema Day. It was on this day in 1895 that the brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière held the first public, paid film screening in the basement of the Grand Café on Boulevard des Capucines in Paris. This event is considered the official birth of cinema.
The audience was shown several short films, including “Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station.” According to contemporaries, the movement of the train on the screen so impressed the audience that some people instinctively stepped back, perceiving the image as reality.
Calendar day
December 28 is also celebrated as Calendar Day. In different cultures, the calendar had not only practical but also sacred significance. The solstices and equinoxes were considered moments of transition and renewal. This holiday reminds us that time is the most valuable resource, and the calendar only helps us live it consciously.
Card game day
Another unofficial date of this day is Card Game Day. The end of the year is traditionally associated with relaxation, family and friendly gatherings, where board and card games become part of the common pastime. The history of playing cards begins in China in the 9th century, and later they spread to the Middle East and Europe, becoming popular among all segments of the population.
As of December 28, 2025, the full-scale war in Ukraine is in its 1403rd day. There are three days left until the New Year.
