This week in history

Feb. 17 1919: The Directory approves a declaration to the governments of the Entente and the US, requesting assistance in the struggle against the Bolsheviks.

1943: The third conference of the leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (B) (Bandera faction) begins, recognizing the necessity of a struggle against the USSR and Nazi Germany and categorically condemning any collaboration with the Nazis.

Feb. 18 1966: The first 17-volume Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedia is published.

1972: The Council of Ministers of the USSR adopts a resolution on the organization of Symferopil State University.

Feb. 19 1992: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopts the Tryzub (Trident) as the Small National Emblem of Ukraine, regarding it as the main element of the Great National Emblem.

2002: When the first Angel helicopter comes off the assembly line, Ukraine becomes the world’s sixth independent manufacturer of this type of aircraft.

Feb. 20 1919: The Council of People’s Commissars (Radnarkom) of the Ukrainian SSR adopts a decree establishing civil marriage procedures and the institution of civil registries.

1944: Kyiv hosts the fourth “antifascist” rally, which adopts a message to the Ukrainian people, calling for every effort to combat the German occupiers.

Feb. 21 1919: The first issue of the newspaper Komunar (today: Vechirnii Kyiv) comes off the presses in Kyiv.

1996: Ukraine and the United States sign an agreement on commercial satellite launches during the Ukrainian president’s working visit to Washington.