This day in history

1903: A monument to Ivan Kotliarevsky, Ukrainian writer, author of Aeneid, the first poem in the “Little Russian” [i.e., Ukrainian] vernacular, is unveiled in Poltava.

1920: The Ukrainian Military Organization is founded in Prague by delegates from Ukrainian military organizations abroad. It is headed by Yevhen Konovalets.

1921: The Soviet [Council] of People’s Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR adopts a decree on the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP).

1922: Date of birth of Pavlo Hlazovy, Ukrainian poet (humorist and satirist), author of the poem Slavsia, Vitchyzno moia! (Glory to My Fatherland!), 13 books of burlesque and humoresques, and eight books for children.

1941: The start of the Yelnia Offensive (part of the Battle of Smolensk) by the 24th Army of the Reserve Front, the first Soviet offensive during WW II.

1999: Ukrainian aircrew is arrested by the Lusaka authorities in Zambia after flying over a local military base.