This day in history

1596: The Union of Brest is signed, uniting the Orthodox Church of Ukraine with that of Belarus and the Roman Catholic Church.

1890: The Ruthenian-Ukrainian Radical Party is founded in Lviv.

1917: The All-Ukrainian Congress of Free Cossacks convenes in Chyhyryn; it elects the General Council headed by General Pavlo Skoropadsky.

1918: Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky issues a decree reinstating Cossack status in Ukraine.

1941: Soviet forces retreat from Odesa after 73 days of pitched battles with the Wehrmacht.

1954: Restoration of the Defense of Sevastopol Panorama is completed (the Nazi occupier destroyed it in 1942).

1969: Soyuz 6 spacecraft crew carries out important space welding experiments. 1979: Druzhba drama company starts performing in Kyiv.

1987: NGO Lion Society is formed in Lviv.

2011: 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships end in Tokyo with Ukraine’s male athletes placing fifth in the team standing.